Information on HIV
The HIV/AIDS pandemic is one of the most important and urgent
public health challenges facing governments and civil societies around
the world. Adolescents are at the centre of the pandemic
in terms of transmission, impact, and potential for changing the attitudes
and behaviours that underlie this disease. Over the last 12 months,
the number of reported HIV cases in the UK increased by an amazing
7%. High taxes on condoms in the
UK and Ireland isn't helping this problem.
It is estimated that 50% of all new HIV infections are among
young people (about 7,000 young people become infected every
day), and that 30% of the 40 million people living with HIV/AIDS
are in the 15-24 year age group. The vast majority of young people
who are HIV positive do not know that they are infected, and few
young people who are engaging in sex know the HIV status of their
partners.
The importance of focusing on young people has been recognised
at a global level by the 2001 UN General Assembly Special Session
on HIV/AIDS, which endorsed a number of goals for young people,
including:
"By 2003, establish time-bound national targets to achieve the internationally
agreed global prevention goal to reduce by 2005 HIV prevalence among
young men and women aged 15-24 in the most affected countries by
25% and by 25% globally by 2010"
"By 2005, ensure that at least 90%, and by 2010 at least
95% of young men and women have access to safe sex information,
education, including peer education and youth-specific education,
and services necessary to develop the life skills required to reduce
their vulnerability to HIV infection; in full partnership with youth,
parents, families, educators and health care providers."
What Is HIV?
"HIV" stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Many
people also refer to HIV as the "AIDS virus."
How Is the Virus Transmitted?
HIV lives in blood and other body fluids that contain blood
or white blood cells.
People have gotten HIV through:
- Unprotected sexual intercourse with an HIV-infected
person. This includes vaginal or anal intercourse, and
oral sex on a man or woman without a condom or other barrier.
- Intercourse while a woman is having her period,
or during outbreaks of genital sores or lesions (caused
by herpes and other sexually transmitted diseases) can increase
the risk of HIV transmission.
- Sharing drug injection equipment (needles and/or
works); or being accidentally stuck by needles or sharp
objects contaminated with infected blood,
infected blood used in transfusions, and
infected blood products used in the treatment of certain
diseases and disorders (like hemophilia).
- Pregnancy, childbirth, and/or breastfeeding, where the
virus is passed from mother to child.
- Transplanted organs from infected donors.
HIV and AIDS are not transmitted through casual contact
(that is, where no blood or body fluids are involved). HIV is what
gets passed from person to person. People don't "catch AIDS"; they
"become infected with HIV."
What Does an "HIV-Positive" Test Result Mean?
A positive test result means your body has been infected by the
human immunodeficiency virus-and that you are capable of transmitting
it to others. The test did not look for the actual virus itself, but
found evidence of it in your blood. There's no way to tell from this
result who gave you the virus, how long you've had it, or when it
will begin to affect your health.
You may see or hear the results called "HIV-positive," "HIV+,"
"HIV-antibody positive," or "seropositive for HIV." These terms
all mean the same thing. People who have been infected with the
human immunodeficiency virus are said to have "HIV disease." While
the virus itself is not a disease, it progressively damages the
body's immune system. This puts you at risk for developing illnesses
you wouldn't otherwise get.
At this time, doctors don't know of any way to rid
the body of HIV. There is no cure. Once you've been infected, you
have it for life (or until a cure for hiv and aids is hopefully
developed).
How Does HIV Harm the Body?
Viruses tend to be specialists. They zero in on a few particular types
of cells in the body and move in. The human immunodeficiency virus
is best known for targeting the T cells of the immune system. However,
it can also attack cells of the brain, nervous system, digestive system,
lymphatic system, and other parts of the body.
The immune system is made up of specialized cells in the bloodstream
that fight off invading germs to keep the body healthy. The "T"
cells (also referred to as "T4," "helper-T," or "CD4" cells) are
the brains of the operation. These white blood cells identify
invaders and give orders to soldier-type cells, which then battle
various bacteria, viruses, cancers, fungi, and parasites that can
make a person sick.
Like all viruses, the HIV is only interested in one thing:
reproducing itself. Once it has attacked and moved into
a T cell, it converts that cell into a miniature virus factory.
Eventually there are so many new viruses in the cell that the T
cell explodes, scattering the HIV back into the bloodstream.
The virus then moves on to fresh T cells and repeats the process.
Over time, the HIV can destroy virtually all of an infected person's
T cells in this manner. Then What Happens?
With fewer and fewer "leaders" to rely on for warnings, the
"soldier" cells become powerless. They can no longer recognize and
fight off common organisms that would not present a problem
to a healthy immune system. These organisms may be lying dormant
in the body already, or may enter from outside. The immune system's
weakness gives them the opportunity to wake up, multiply, and cause
illness. Thus, we call these illnesses "opportunistic infections."
People with fully functioning immune systems are almost
never troubled by these particular infections-but those with damaged
immune systems are highly vulnerable to them.
So What's the Connection Between HIV and AIDS?
When a person with an HIV-weakened immune system comes down with one
or more of these rare opportunistic infections, or has a T
cell count below 200 or 14%, that person may be diagnosed by a doctor
as having AIDS. "AIDS" stands for "Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome." The "syndrome" part means that AIDS is not
a single disease but a collection of diseases. The Centers
for Disease Control (CDC) has put together a list of 26 "AIDS-defining
illnesses" in adults. Diagnosis of AIDS in children involves a list
of slightly different ailments.
AIDS can be thought of as the most severe form of HIV
disease. All but a handful of medical experts now believe
that HIV is the primary agent that leads to the development of AIDS.
HIV/AIDS Prevention
Right now there is no vaccine to prevent HIV infection and
no cure for AIDS. But it's possible to protect yourself and
others from infection. That means educating yourself about
HIV and avoiding any behavior that allows HIV-infected fluids
into your body. (blood, semen, vaginal secretions
and breast milk)
If you are HIV-Negative, the following measures can help keep
you from being infected with HIV:
Educate yourself and
others. Make sure you understand what HIV is and how the virus
is transmitted. Just as importantly, teach
others about HIV, by telling them where they can find information
that might help save their life. Don't
let embarrassment become a health risk.
Know the HIV status of any sexual partner. Don't
engage in unprotected sex unless you're absolutely certain your
partner isn't infected with HIV.
Always use a new latex or polyurethane condom every time
you have sex, and know how to
use a condom. If you don't know the HIV status of your
partner, use a new latex condom every time you have anal or vaginal
sex. If you're allergic to latex, use a plastic (polyurethane) condom.
Avoid lambskin condoms - they do not protect you from HIV.
If you don't have a male
condom, use a female condom. Use only
water-based lubricants, not petroleum jelly, cold cream
or oils. Oil-based lubricants can weaken condoms and cause them
to break. During oral sex
use a condom (flavoured condoms can add further enjoyment
to oral sex - don't use lubricated condoms for oral sex as they
taste unpleasant), dental dam (a
piece of medical-grade latex) or plastic wrap. Remember that although
condoms can reduce your risk of contracting HIV, they don't eliminate
the risk entirely. Condoms can break or develop small tears, and
they may not always be used properly.
Use a clean needle. If you use a needle to inject
drugs, make sure it's sterile, and don't share it.
Take advantage of needle exchange programs in your
community and consider seeking help for your drug use.
Get regular screening tests. If you're a woman, have a
yearly Pap smear test. Men and women who engage in anal sex should
also have regular tests for anal cancer.
Don't become complacent. Because potent antiretroviral medications
have reduced the number of AIDS deaths. HIV/AIDS is still
a terminal illness for which there is no vaccine and no cure.
Right now, the only way stay healthy is to protect yourself
and others from infection.
If you are HIV-Positive
If you've been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, the following guidelines can
help protect your immune system and the health of others:
Follow safer
sex practices. The only foolproof
way to protect your sexual partner or partners from HIV infection
is to avoid practices that expose them to blood, semen or
vaginal secretions. Carefully follow guidelines for safer
sex, including using a new latex
condom every time you have vaginal or anal
sex and a dental dam, condom
or piece of plastic wrap during oral sex. If you use sexual devices,
don't share them.
Tell your sexual partner(s) if you have HIV.
It's important to tell anyone with whom you've had sex that you're
HIV-positive. Your partners need to be tested and to receive medical
care if they have the virus. They also need to know their HIV status
so they don't infect others.
If your partner is pregnant, tell her you have HIV.
Even if you're not the father, be sure to tell any pregnant woman
with whom you've had sex that you're HIV positive. She needs to
receive treatment to protect her own health and that of her baby.
Tell others who need to know. Although only you
can decide whether to tell friends and family about your illness,
you do need to inform your health care providers of your HIV status.
This is not just to protect them, but also to ensure that you get
the best possible medical care.
Don't share needles or syringes. If you use
intravenous drugs, never share your needles and syringes with anyone
else.
If you are HIV positive, Don't donate blood or organs.
Don't share razor blades or toothbrushes. These items
may carry traces of HIV-infected blood.
Risk levels for HIV infection
HIV crosses all cultures, national borders and religions.
Anyone, of any age, race, sex or sexual orientation can be infected,
but you're at greatest risk of HIV/AIDS if you have unprotected
sex with multiple partners.
You're at risk whether you're heterosexual, homosexual
or bisexual. Unprotected sex means having sex without
using a new latex or polyurethane condom every time.
The main ways in which HIV can be passed on is through unprotected
sex and by sharing injecting drug using equipment. Avoiding these
activities is the most effective way to reduce your risk of infection.
Little or No Risk (for HIV):
Massage, kissing, cuddling, body-rubbing, spanking, sharing sex toys
if used with condoms, masturbating with more than one person, giving
or receiving oral sex with a condom(being sucked or sucking)
Some Risk (for HIV):
The following activities involve a low risk of acquiring HIV. Giving
oral sex without using a condom (especially if you have cuts
or sores in your mouth), rimming (if blood is present).
High Risk (for HIV)
The following activities have an extremely high risk of
acquiring HIV:
Unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse; sharing injecting equipment!
Make sure you are ready for safe sex by using
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UK and across Europe. Experiment now with different
condoms, to find what's suitable and comfortable, before you have
sex with another person. Remember there is discreet delivery on
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card.
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