World AIDS Day
December 1, 2008

Just a few questions to test your knowledge:

1. What is AIDS?
2. What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?
3. How is it transmitted?
4. Is HIV/AIDS preventable?
5. Is there a cure for HIV/AIDS?
6. Do you know if YOU’RE HIV positive?
7. How can you find out if you are positive or negative?
8. Are there treatments for HIV?
9. Is there a vaccine to prevent it?

Get the Facts:

• Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or Acquired Immuno deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a set of symptoms and infections resulting from the damage to the human immune system caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This condition progressively reduces the effectiveness of the immune system and leaves individuals susceptible to opportunistic infection and tumors. HIV is transmitted through direct contact of a mucous membrane or the bloodstream with a bodily fluid containing HIV. (i.e. blood, semen, vaginal fluid pre-seminal fluid, and breast milk) This transmission can involve anal, oral, and vaginal sex, contaminated hypodermic needles, and between mother and baby during pregnancy, child birth, or breastfeeding. Transmission can happen by any other exposure to all the above bodily fluids.

• AIDS is now pandemic. In 2007 an estimated 33.2 million people were diagnosed living with the disease worldwide. It has killed an estimated 2.1 million people, including 330,000 children. ª    

• Since the introduction of highly effective antiretroviral drugs in 1995, treatment has drastically improved survival rates. Treatment can slow the course of the disease but currently there is no vaccine or cure.

• In the absence of these therapies the average time of progression from HIV Infection to AIDS is 9-10 years. The survival time after developing AIDS is only 9.2 months. ª

• The Center for Disease Control (CDC) now recommends routine screening for all persons 13-64 years of age. It is believed this will reduce the stigma associated with testing.

• The CDC further recommends all pregnant women to be tested in their first and third trimesters,thus reducing perinatal transmission.

• Sex and needle sharing are the two most common ways of transmission. Vaginal, anal, and oral sex put you at very high risk. The use of latex condoms with every sex act, or choosing to have sex with one uninfected partner who only has sex with you, can reduce your risk. However, only abstinence is a risk-free choice. Sharing needles for drugs, steroids, vitamins, tattoos, or body piercing are also high risk behaviors.

• Remember, HIV infection is completely preventable.           

• Each year, at your annual physical exam you should get an HIV test. If your physician does not offer testing you can go to your local Health Department. Testing is free and strictly confidential. Call for an appointment today!

• As of December 31, 2007 the cumulative number of individuals reported with HIV Disease was 32,583 in the state of North Carolina, an estimated 10,000 of those reported cased have died.

• It is vital to note that the disease is under reported and it is believed that ¼ of the population with the disease are living with it unknowingly.

[a]Wikipedia

[b]N.C. HIV STD Prevention and Care