Causecast

by SARAH NELSON, Contributing Writer

1. The first cases of HIV/AIDS were reported in the early 1980s; since then, the disease has claimed more than 25 million lives. HIV and AIDS are not synonymous terms. HIV is a virus, while AIDS is a collection of illnesses resulting from the virus. Knowing the difference between the two is essential to understanding both:

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV attacks the body’s immune system, destroying cells necessary to fight infection.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the final stage of an HIV infection in which the HIV virus has weakened the body’s immune system to the point that it can no longer fight infection.

2. HIV/AIDS is a human disease that can affect anyone regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexuality, or age. AIDS is stereotypically attached to the gay community or its high rates in many African nations. However, everyone is at risk. If you are sexually active – you are at risk. Anyone can be infected with HIV including otherwise HEALTHY men, women, and children of all racial/ethnic groups and sexual orientations. Young, middle-aged, and elderly people all need to be aware of the different risks for HIV infection and to GET TESTED REGULARLY.

3. HIV/AIDS can only be transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids. There are lots of myths surrounding how HIV is contracted. When HIV was becoming a growing concern in America in the 1980s and 1990s, it was widely believed that HIV could be contracted from kissing, donating blood or sharing a beverage. The reality is there are actually very few ways that a person can contract the virus.

You CAN get HIV from:

• Needle-sharing drug use
• Engaging in unprotected sex with a partner infected with HIV

You CANNOT get HIV from:

• Shaking hands or hugging a person with HIV/AIDS
• Using a public telephone, drinking fountain, restroom, swimming pool, or hot tub
• Sharing a drink
• Being coughed or sneezed on by a person with HIV/AIDS
• Donating blood
• A mosquito bite

4. The only way HIV/AIDS can currently be completely prevented is to abstain from all risky behaviors – including sharing needles (I’m going to go ahead and say you probably shouldn’t be shooting up anyway?) and having unprotected sex. Of course, abstaining from sexual activity all together makes the risk nil.

5. Knowing the status of your partner is just as important as knowing your own. It is essential to know the sexual history of every partner you’ve had and every partner they have ever had. Even if you have only been sexually active with one person, it is important to know their complete sexual history. Don’t be afraid to ask your partner to get tested before you have sex.

6. Data released in 2007 by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) shows approximately 56,300 Americans newly infected with HIV – a much higher number than previously believed. Of the 1.1 million Americans living with HIV approximately 21 percent are unaware of their HIV infection.

7. HIV/AIDS symptoms can be treated. Major advances in medical research have allowed for extensive changes in how HIV is controlled. There is still no cure for HIV/AIDS, but medication is available to help control the progression of HIV into AIDS, and increases life expectancy of HIV-positive individuals. Anti-retroviral (ARV) therapies help control HIV and prevent it from turning into full-blown AIDS.

8. A recent breakthrough in scientific research has produced a preventative vaccine that can reduce one’s chance of contracting HIV by 30 percent. This might be the first step toward total prevention and hopefully the eventual end to the disease that has claimed millions of lives and will claim millions more until it is stopped.

9. Testing is FREE. Testing is EASY. Testing is KEY. Modern technology makes HIV testing easy, quick and private. Rapid Response testing is available in most clinics and initial results are available in about twenty minutes. No needles. No blood. Just a gentle swab in the inside of your cheek (A positive result does require an additional blood test). All testing results are completely confidential. There is no risk in getting tested – the risk comes with NOT getting tested. An estimated one in five people who are HIV positive in the U.S. are unaware of their status. The best way to stop the continued spread of HIV and AIDS is to get tested. Here are some tips on how to get tested.

10. To get involved with fighting HIV/AIDS nationally, check out AIDS Action’s Online Action Center. Many cities around the country also have annual AIDS Walks to raise awareness and funds to support local AIDS education, testing, advocacy and other resources.

Photo by jonrawlinson, flickr.