Myths and Realities about HIV
What is HIV?
What is AIDS?
Statistics
How do people get AIDS?
How can I reduce my risk of getting AIDS?
Who is at risk?
How can I know if I am infected with HIV?
Should I get tested?
How can I get tested?
Storm Lake Resources
Where can I get more information?

Myths and Realities about HIV (back to top)

Myth: HIV or AIDS can be cured.

Reality: To date, there is no cure for HIV or AIDS and there are no vaccines to prevent HIV infection.

Myth: HIV/AIDS is a gay disease.

Reality: Anyone can be susceptible to HIV/AIDS, regardless of their sexual orientation. Everyone is at risk of getting HIV from blood-to-blood contact, sharing needles or unsafe sex. Worldwide, HIV is spread most often through heterosexual contact.

Myth: You can get HIV from breathing the air around an HIV-infected person or from hugging or holding hands with an HIV-infected person.

Reality: HIV cannot be transmitted through:

• Toilet seats or doorknob handles.
  
• Touching, hugging, holding hands, or cheek kissing with an HIV-infected person.
  
• Sharing eating utensils with an HIV-infected person.
  
• Mosquito bites.
  HIV is transmitted through contact with an HIV-positive person's infected body fluids, such as semen, pre-ejaculate fluid, vaginal fluids, blood, or breast milk. HIV can also be transmitted through needles contaminated with HIV-infected blood, including needles used for injecting drugs, tattooing or body piercing.

Myth: I can get HIV by sharing exercise equipment or playing sports with an HIV-positive person.

Reality: Contact with sweat or tears has never been shown to result in transmission of HIV.

Myth: You can get HIV by kissing an HIV-infected person.

Reality: Casual contact through closed-mouth or "social" kissing is not a risk for transmission of HIV. Because of the theoretical potential for contact with blood during "French," or open-mouthed kissing, the CDC recommends against engaging in this activity with an infected person. However, no cases of AIDS have been attributed to any kind of kissing.

Myth: You cannot get HIV if you are using birth control methods like diaphragms, cervical caps, sponges, spermicides, DepoProvera, Norplant, or the Pill.

Reality: These birth control methods do not prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) such as HIV. They only aim to prevent pregnancy. The surest way to prevent both pregnancy and an STD infection is through abstinence. One way people who are sexually active may prevent pregnancy and STD infection is to use a condom in combination with another form of birth control, such as a diaphragm, cervical cap, sponge, spermicide, DepoProvera, Norplant, or the Pill. Birth control products containing the spermicide nonoxynol-9 (found in most contraceptive creams, gels, suppositories, foams, films and sponges) help to prevent pregnancy but may increase the risk of HIV.

Myth: I can't have more than one sexually transmitted disease (STD) at a time.

Reality: A person can be infected with more than one STD. A person with an untreated STD may also be 6-10 times more likely to pass on or acquire HIV during sex. Risk for infection increases 10 to 300-fold in the presence of a genital ulcer, such as occurs in syphilis or genital herpes.

Myth: There is no such thing as safer sex.

Reality: Safer sex is sexual activity without penetration, or sex with a latex condom or a latex barrier (in the case of oral sex). Although safer sex can substantially reduce the sexual transmission of an STD like HIV, sexual abstinence is the surest way to prevent the sexual transmission of an STD, including HIV.

Myth: Since I only have oral sex, I'm not at risk for HIV/AIDS.

Reality: You can get HIV by having oral sex with a man or a woman. That is why it is important to use a latex barrier during oral, vaginal, or anal sex.

Myth: I would know if a loved one or I had HIV.

Reality: A person with HIV may not show any symptoms for up to 10 years. Since HIV affects each person differently, many people with HIV can look and feel healthy for years. The only sure way to know is to get tested.

Myth: Getting tested for HIV is pointless.

Reality: Knowing if you are HIV-positive will allow you to seek early treatment that can help you stay healthy longer and enable you not to pass on the virus to someone else. Regardless of your HIV status, you can learn how to prevent future infection from HIV or other STDs through counseling offered at many HIV testing centers.

Myth: When you're on HIV therapy you can't transmit the virus to anyone else.

Reality: Antiretroviral drugs don't keep you from passing the virus to others. Therapy can keep the viral load down to undetectable levels, but HIV is still present in the body and can still be transmitted to others.

This information was provided by the American Association for World Health found at at http://www.thebody.com

What is HIV? (back to top)

HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS. A member of a group of viruses called retroviruses, HIV infects human cells and uses the energy and nutrients provided by those cells to grow and reproduce.

(taken from American Foundation for AIDS Research website at http://www.amfar.org/td)

What is AIDS? (back to top)

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a disease in which the body's immune system breaks down and is unable to fight off certain infections, known as "opportunistic infections," and other illnesses that take advantage of a weakened immune system.

When a person is infected with HIV, the virus enters the body and lives and multiplies primarily in the white blood cells. These are the immune cells that normally protect us from disease. The hallmark of HIV infection is the progressive loss of a specific type of immune cell called T-helper or CD4 cells. As the virus grows, it damages or kills these and other cells, weakening the immune system and leaving the individual vulnerable to various opportunistic infections and other illnesses, ranging from pneumonia to cancer. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines someone as having a clinical diagnosis of AIDS if they have tested positive for HIV and meet one or both of these conditions:

• They have experienced one or more AIDS-related infections or illnesses;
  
• The number of CD4 cells has reached or fallen below 200 per cubic millimeter of blood (a measurement known as T-cell count). In healthy individuals, the CD4 count normally ranges from 450 to 1,200.

(taken from American Foundation for AIDS Research website at http://www.amfar.org/td)

Statistics: (back to top)

How many people are affected by HIV/AIDS?

• The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) estimates that there are now over 34 million people living with HIV or AIDS worldwide. Most of them do not know they carry HIV and may be spreading the virus to others.
  
• In the U.S., nearly one million people have HIV infection or AIDS -- roughly one out of every 250 people.
  
• At least 40,000 Americans become newly infected with HIV each year.
  
• It is estimated that half of all people with HIV in the U.S. have not been tested and do not know they are carrying the virus.
  
• Since the beginning of the epidemic, AIDS has killed nearly 19 million people worldwide, including more than 430,000 Americans.
  
• AIDS has replaced malaria and tuberculosis as the world's deadliest infectious disease among adults and is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide.
  
• Over 13 million children have been orphaned by the epidemic.
  
• Nearly half of the roughly 40,000 Americans newly infected with HIV each year are under the age of 25.
  
• Approximately two young Americans become infected with HIV every hour of every day.
  
• About 25% of the people now living with HIV in this country became infected when they were teenagers.
  
• Statistics show that by the age of 19, at least half of females and 60% of males in this country have engaged in sexual intercourse, and one in six sexually experienced teens has contracted one or more STDs. Many young people also use drugs and alcohol, which can increase the likelihood that they will engage in high-risk sexual behavior.

(taken from American Foundation for AIDS Research website at http://www.amfar.org/td)

How do people get AIDS: (back to top)

How is HIV transmitted?

A person who is HIV-infected carries the virus in certain body fluids, including blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. The virus can be transmitted only if such HIV-infected fluids enter the bloodstream of another person. This kind of direct entry can occur (1) through the linings of the vagina, rectum, mouth, and the opening at the tip of the penis; (2) through intravenous injection with a syringe; or (3) through a break in the skin, such as a cut or sore. Usually, HIV is transmitted through:

Unprotected sexual intercourse (either vaginal or anal) with someone who is HIV-infected. Women are at greater risk of HIV infection through vaginal sex than men, although the virus can also be transmitted from women to men. Anal sex (whether male-male or male-female) poses a high risk mainly to the receptive partner, because the lining of the anus and rectum are extremely thin and filled with small blood vessels that can be easily injured during intercourse.

Unprotected oral sex with someone who is HIV-infected. There are far fewer cases of HIV transmission attributed to oral sex than to either vaginal or anal intercourse, but oral-genital contact poses a clear risk of HIV-infection, particularly when ejaculation occurs in the mouth. This risk is increased when either partner has cuts or sores, such as those caused by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), recent tooth-brushing, or canker sores, which can allow the virus to enter the bloodstream.

Sharing needles or syringes with someone who is HIV-infected. Laboratory studies show that infectious HIV can survive in used syringes for a month or more, and people who inject drugs should never reuse or share syringes, water, or drug preparation equipment. This includes needles or syringes used to inject illegal drugs such as heroin, as well as steroids. Other types of syringes, such as those used for body piercing and tattoos, can also carry HIV.

Infection during pregnancy, childbirth, or breast-feeding (mother-to-infant transmission). Any woman who is pregnant or considering becoming pregnant and thinks she may have been exposed to HIV -- even if the exposure occurred years ago -- should seek testing and counseling. Mother-to-infant transmission has been reduced to just a few cases each year in the U.S., where pregnant women are tested for HIV, and those who test positive are provided with drugs to prevent transmission and counseled not to breast-feed.

(taken from American Foundation for AIDS Research website at http://www.amfar.org/td)

How is HIV not transmitted?

It is not transmitted through food or air (for instance, by coughing or sneezing). There has never been a case where a person was infected by a household member, relative, co-worker, or friend through casual or everyday contact such as sharing eating utensils and bathroom facilities or hugging and kissing. (Most scientists agree that while HIV transmission through deep or prolonged "French" kissing may be possible, it would be extremely unlikely).

Here in the U.S., screening the blood supply for HIV has virtually eliminated the risk of infection through blood transfusions. (And you cannot get HIV from giving blood at a blood bank or other established blood collection center.) Sweat, tears, vomit, feces, and urine do contain HIV, but have not been reported to transmit the disease (apart from two cases involving transmission from fecal matter via cut skin). Mosquitoes, fleas, and other insects do not transmit HIV.

(taken from American Foundation for AIDS Research website at http://www.amfar.org/td)

How can I reduce my risk of becoming infected with HIV? (back to top)

• Sexual abstinence greatly reduces your risk of becoming infected with HIV.
  
• If you are sexually active, protect yourself from HIV infection by practicing safer sex. Whenever you have sex, use a condom or "dental dam" (a square of latex recommended for use during oral-genital and oral-anal sex). The male condom is the only widely available barrier against sexual transmission of HIV. Female condoms are fairly unpopular in the U.S. and still relatively expensive, but they are gaining acceptance in some developing countries. When used properly and consistently, condoms are extremely effective. But remember:

Use only latex condoms (or dental dams). Lambskin produce provide little protection against HIV.

Use only water-based lubricants. Latex condoms are virtually useless when combined with oil- or petroleum-based lubricants such as Vaseline or hand lotion. (People with latex allergies can use polyethylene condoms with oil-based lubricants.)

Use protection each and every time you have sex.

If needed, consult a nurse, doctor, or health educator for guidance on the proper use of latex barriers.

• If you are injecting drugs of any type, including steroids, do not share syringes or other injection equipment with anyone else. (Disinfecting previously used needles and syringes with bleach can reduce the risk of HIV transmission).
  
• If you are planning to have any part of your body pierced or to get a tattoo, be sure to see a qualified professional who uses sterile equipment. Detailed HIV prevention information for drug users who continue to inject is available from the CDC's National Prevention Information Network at 1-800-458-5231 or online at http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/hiv_prev.txt. (adapted from American Foundation for AIDS Research website at http://www.amfar.org/td)

  Is there a link between HIV and other STDs?

  Having a sexually transmitted disease can increase your risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV. This is true whether you have open sores or breaks in the skin (as with syphilis, herpes, and chancroid) or not (as with chlamydia and gonorrhea). Where there are breaks in the skin, HIV can enter and exit the body more easily. Even when there are no breaks in the skin, STDs can cause biological changes that may make HIV transmission more likely. Studies show that HIV-infected individuals who are infected with another STD are three to five times more likely to contract or transmit the virus through sexual contact.

  (taken from American Foundation for AIDS Research website at http://www.amfar.org/td)

  Who’s at risk: (back to top)
  Are some people at greater risk of HIV infection than others?

  HIV does not discriminate. It is not who you are, but what you do that determines whether you can become infected with HIV. Worldwide, sexual intercourse is by far the most common mode of HIV transmission, but in the U.S., as many as half of all new HIV infections are now associated either directly or indirectly with injection drug use (i.e., using HIV-contaminated needles to inject drugs or having sexual contact with an HIV-infected drug user). Overall, HIV infection is spreading fastest in this country among young people, women, African Americans, and Hispanics. (taken from American Foundation for AIDS Research website at http://www.amfar.org/td)

  How can I know whether I'm HIV-infected? (back to top)

  Immediately after infection, some people may develop mild, temporary flu-like symptoms or persistent swollen glands. Even if you look and feel healthy, you may be infected. The only way to know your HIV status for sure is to be tested for HIV antibodies --proteins the body produces in an effort to fight off infection. This usually requires a blood sample. If a person's blood has HIV antibodies, that means the person is infected. (taken from American Foundation for AIDS Research website at http://www.amfar.org/td)

  Should I get tested? (back to top)

  If you think you might have been exposed to HIV, you should get tested as soon as possible. Here's why:

  Even in the early stages of infection, you can take concrete steps to protect your long-term health. Many physicians still recommend a "hit early and hit hard" approach to anti-HIV therapy. But even if you don't begin taking medications right away, regular check-ups with a doctor who has experience with HIV/AIDS will enable you (and your family members or loved ones) to make the best decisions about how and when to begin treatment, without waiting until you get sick. Taking an active approach to managing HIV may give you many more years of healthy life than you would otherwise have.

  If you are HIV-positive, you will be able to take the precautions necessary to protect others from becoming infected. If you are HIV-positive and pregnant, you can take medications and other precautions to significantly reduce the risk of infecting your infant, including refraining from breast-feeding. (taken from American Foundation for AIDS Research website at http://www.amfar.org/td)

  How can I get tested? (back to top)

  Most people are tested by private physicians, at local health department facilities, or in hospitals. In addition, many states offer anonymous HIV testing. It is important to seek testing at a place that also provides counseling about HIV and AIDS. Counselors can answer questions about high-risk behavior and suggest ways you can protect yourself and others in the future. They can also help you understand the meaning of the test results and refer you to local AIDS-related resources.

  Though less readily available, there is also a viral load test that can reveal the presence of HIV in the blood within three to five days of initial exposure, as well as highly accurate saliva tests that are nearly equivalent to blood tests in determining HIV antibody status. You can also purchase a kit that allows you to collect your own blood sample, send it to a lab for testing, and receive the results anonymously. Only the "Home Access" brand kit is approved by the Food and Drug Administration. It can be found at most drugstores.

  Keep in mind that while most blood tests are able to detect HIV infection within four weeks of initial exposure, it can sometimes take as long as three to six months for antibodies to reach detectable levels. The CDC currently recommends testing six months after the last possible exposure to HIV.

  The CDC's National AIDS Hotline can answer questions about HIV testing and refer you to testing sites in your area. Operators are available toll-free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at:

  1-800-342-2437 (English)
  
  1-800-344-7432 (Spanish)
  
  1-800-243-7889 (TTY/deaf access)

  Storm Lake Resources: (back to top)
  Buena Vista County Public Health Department
  1709 E. Richland
  East of IBP
  749-2548
  Call for testing times and dates The procedure for HIV/AIDS testing requires a mini-history, blood draw, and a follow up consultation two weeks later. Information is kept confidential by using the last four digits of social security number.

  *Trimark- Family Health Center
  *Trimark – Buena Vista Clinic
  *Buena Vista Regional Medical Center

  *Please note that if you are tested for HIV or AIDS and you use medical insurance to pay for the procedure—future health insurance can be denied if the insurance company believes you are high risk.

  Where can I get more information about HIV and AIDS? (back to top)

  There are many valuable sources of HIV/AIDS information, including the following:

  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/dhap.htm

  Your state or local health department (see your local phonebook)

  Your local AIDS service organization (see your local phonebook)

  amfAR's HIV/AIDS Treatment Directory at http://www.amfar.org/td

  HIV InSite at http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu

  AEGIS (AIDS Education Global Information System) at http://www.aegis.com

  The Body: An AIDS and HIV Information Resource at http://www.thebody.com