HIV/STDs
HIV 101 Syphilis 101
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HIV 101 >>
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What is HIV?
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HIV is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus that causes AIDS. The virus uses human CD4 cells to create more copies of the virus, weakening the immune system and causing people individuals living with HIV more susceptible to other infections.
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What is AIDS?
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AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the fourth stage of HIV infection. An AIDS diagnosis is given to any individual living with HIV that also meet one or both of the following:
- Has a CD4 cell count of 200 or less
- Is diagnosed with one opportunistic infection (i.e. TB, Pneumonia, fungal infection)
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How quickly do people infected with HIV develop AIDS?
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The answer to this question varies according to lifestyle and genetics. Some individuals develop AIDS shortly after acquiring the virus, while others do not progress for 10-12 years or even longer.
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How many people are affected by HIV/AIDS?
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- Globally it is estimated that there are more than 40 million people living with HIV
- More than 25 million people have died from AIDS since 1981.
- In the United States, by the end of 2007, there were approximately 1.1 million people living with HIV.
- There are approximately 56,000 new infections every year.
- Approximately one in every five individuals living with HIV does not know they have the virus.
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How is HIV transmitted?
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HIV lives in blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. The virus is only transmitted when fluid carrying the virus enters the bloodstream. Usually HIV is transmitted through:
- Unprotected sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal, oral) with someone who has the virus.
- Sharing needles or syringes with someone who has the virus.
- During pregnancy, childbirth, or breast-feeding. (Pregnancy and childbirth transmission is rare because of better medications and understanding of how the virus is transmitted).
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How is HIV not transmitted?
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HIV does not pass from one person to another easily. It is not transmitted in casual contact; living with someone who has HIV, sharing eating utensils, sharing bathrooms, hugging, kissing, shaking hands etc. HIV is also not transmitted from mosquitoes, fleas, or other insects.
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How can I reduce my risk of aquiring HIV through sexual contact?
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If you are sexually active, you can reduce the risk of HIV transmission by practicing safer sex. Use condoms (female or male), dental dams, and lube. Key things to remember:
- Use Latex or Polyurethane barriers (condoms/dental dams)
- Use water based lubricants (oil based break down condoms)
- Use protection each time you have sex.
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How can I avoid acquiring HIV from a syringe?
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If you inject any kind of drug, including steroids, do not share syringes or other equipment.
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Is there a link between HIV and other STDs?
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Yes, having a STD can increase your risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV. Studies show that someone with a STD is three to five times more likely to contract or transmit HIV during sexual contact.
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Are some people at greater risk for HIV than others?
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HIV is a human disease. It does not discriminate against anyone. It is what people do that put them at greater risk than others, not who they are.
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Are women especially vulnerable to HIV?
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The vaginal walls can tear easily, making a woman four times more likely to acquire the virus during vaginal intercourse with a man who is HIV+.
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Are young people at significant risk?
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Nearly half of new infections in the US will be people under the age of 25. Approximately 25% of people living with HIV became infected while they were teenagers.
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Is there a cure for AIDS?
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No. There is no cure for AIDS; however there are treatments that help people living with HIV to live longer healthier lives. It is important that people living with HIV take their medications as prescribed due to the fact that HIV mutates very quickly and can become resistant to the medications if doses are missed.
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Is there a vaccine to prevent HIV infection?
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No. Experts believe it will be at least a decade before there is an effective vaccine. Until then HIV prevention methods, such as practicing safer sex and using sterile syringes, remain essential.
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Can you tell if someone has HIV/AIDS?
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No. There is no way you can tell if someone has HIV just by looking at them.
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How can I know if I have HIV?
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The only way you can know your HIV status is to be tested for HIV antibodies.
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Should I get tested?
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If you think you might have exposed to HIV, you should get tested as soon as possible. If the test comes back positive you can take steps to protect your long-term health, and others.
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Where can I get tested?
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Many people are tested by their primary care providers, at local health departments or in hospitals. It's important to seek a testing site that also offers HIV counseling. The CDC's National AIDS Hotline can answer questions about testing and refer you to testing sites in your area. Operators are available toll-free, 24 hours a day 7 days a week at:
- 1-800-342-2436 (English)
- 1-800-344-7435 (Spanish)
- 1-800-243-7889 (TTY/deaf access)
Local testing sites:
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Where can I get more information about HIV/AIDS?
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- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov/hiv
- State/Local Health Department
- Local AIDS Service Organization
- AMFAR's HIV/AIDS Treatment Directory at
www.amfar.org/td
- AIDS Education Global Information System
www.AEGIS.com.
- The Body.com an AIDS/HIV information Resource
www.thebody.com.
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How can I help in the fight against HIV/AIDS?
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Everyone plays a role in this epidemic. Here are just a few suggestions on how you can make a difference:
- Volunteer with your local ASO (AIDS Service Organization)
- Talk with young people about HIV/AIDS
- Urge your government leaders to provide funds to HIV/AIDS research, prevention education, medical care, and support services
- Speak out against HIV/AIDS-related discrimination
- Support continued research
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Syphilis 101 >>
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What is syphilis?
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Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by bacteria.
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How does someone get syphilis?
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Syphilis is passed from person to person through direct contact of a syphilis sore. Sores occur mostly on the external genitals, vagina, anus, or in the rectum. Sores can also be on the lips and in the mouth. Transmission occurs during vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
How is syphilis not transmitted?
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Someone can not get syphilis through contact of toilet seats, doorknobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, shared clothing, or eating utensils
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What are the signs and symptoms of syphilis?
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Most people with syphilis have no signs or symptoms for years.
- Primary Stage
Primary syphilis is usually marked by the appearance of a single (sometimes more) sore called a chancre. The chancre develops 10-90 days after infection. It is usually firm, round, small, and painless. The chancre will go away after 3-6 weeks without treatment. Without treatment syphilis will progress to the secondary stage.
- Secondary Stage
This stage is marked by a skin rash and lesions in mucous membranes. The rash, which does not normally cause itchiness, may appear as rough, red or reddish brown spots on the palms of the hand and soles of the feet. However different appearing rashes may occur in other places of the body 'imitating' other diseases. Other symptoms may include fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches, and fatigue. These symptoms will go away with or without treatment. Without treatment syphilis will progress to the latent and late stages.
- Latent (hidden) and Late Stage
The latent stage begins when primary and secondary symptoms disappear. Without treatment syphilis will remain in the body. This can last for years. Late stages of syphilis develop in people who have not been treated and can appear 10-20 years after the infection was first acquired. At this point the disease can damage organs including the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, and joints. Symptoms of late stage syphilis include difficulty coordinating movement, paralysis, numbness, gradual blindness, and dementia. The damage can be serious enough to cause death.
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How is syphilis diagnosed?
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Syphilis can be diagnosed by looking at material from a chancre beneath a special microscope. Another way is to perform a blood test.
A blood test is another way to determine whether someone has syphilis. Shortly after infection occurs, the body produces syphilis antibodies that can be detected by an accurate, safe, and inexpensive blood test. A low level of antibodies will likely stay in the blood for months or years even after the disease has been successfully treated.
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Is there a link between HIV and syphilis?
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Chancre sores caused by syphilis make it easier to transmit and/or acquire HIV.
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How is syphilis treated?
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Syphilis is easy to cure in the early stages with a single injection of penicillin. Additional doses are needed for people who have had syphilis for more than a year. There are other treatments available for people allergic to penicillin. There are no home-remedies or over the counter drugs available for treatment. The cure will kill all syphilis bacteria and prevent further damage; however it cannot repair damage already done. Persons who receive treatment must abstain from sexual contact until the sores are completely healed. Persons who have been treated for syphilis must notify their sex partners so that they can be tested and treated if needed.
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How can syphilis be prevented?
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The surest way to prevent any STD is to abstain from sexual contact or be in a long-term monogamous relationship with a partner who hast been tested and not infected. Condoms, when used correctly, help to reduce the risk of transmission only when the infected area or site of potential exposure is protected.
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| For questions about these or any other STDs, please contact AREAS@SWHIV.org |
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