| HIV/AIDS Basics
HIV and AIDS are not the
same thing...
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks and
breaks down the body's immune system - the "internal defense force"
that fights off infections and disease. When the immune system becomes
weak, we lose our protection against illness and can develop serious,
often life-threatening, infections and cancers.
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the name for the
condition that people with HIV have if they develop one of the serious
infections connected with HIV, or if blood tests show that their
immune system has been very badly damaged by the virus.
It usually takes many years before HIV breaks down a person's immune
system and causes AIDS. Most people have few, if any, symptoms for
several years after they are infected. But once HIV gets into the
body, it can do serious damage to the immune system. People who
appear perfectly healthy may have the virus, without knowing it,
and pass it on to others.
HIV transmission
People who have HIV can give it to others when certain of their
body fluids (blood, semen ["cum"], vaginal fluids, or breast milk
[for infants only] pass into another person's body. There are three
main ways that our body fluids can get into another person's body:
- by having unprotected sex (sex without a condom),
that involves anal, vaginal or oral penetration;
- by sharing "works" (needles and syringes, cookers,
cottons and water) when injecting drugs or other substances;
- from a mother to her child before birth, during
birth, or while breast-feeding. (The chance of having a healthy
baby can be greatly increased with proper medical care, so talking
about this with a health care provider can be very helpful.)
Kissing, mutual masturbation, and getting another person's semen/cum
or vaginal fluids on your skin do not spread HIV. The HIV virus
cannot enter through the skin unless there is a fresh break in the
skin. There is no scientific evidence that HIV is passed through
saliva, tears, or sweat.
There is absolutely no danger from casual contact with people with
HIV. HIV cannot live outside of the human body, so you cannot be
infected from toilet seats, phones, or water fountains. The virus
cannot be transmitted in the air through sneezing or coughing. You
cannot get it from mosquitoes or other insect or animal bites. Living
with an HIV-infected person does not put you at risk, unless you
have unprotected sex or share needles with him or her.
Blood transfusions and medical procedures in the U.S. are safe.
Giving blood is completely risk-free. And although there have been
some cases of HIV through blood transfusions in the past, tests
have been in place for several years to make sure that the blood
you get in the hospital has no HIV.
Who's at risk?
Anyone can get HIV - young and old, men and women, straight, gay
and bisexual, rich and poor, and all racial and ethnic groups -
but not everyone faces the same risk. Your risk comes from what
you do, and who you do it with - that is, how likely it is that
the person you have sex or share needles with is infected. But even
if you are part of a community with a high infection rate, you can
avoid getting HIV. Staying uninfected takes thinking, planning and
follow-through. Often it means talking about things that may make
you uncomfortable. It can help to "practice" talking with people
you can trust or who are going through the same thing.
Making choices
In the age of HIV/AIDS, most kinds of sex involve some level of
risk. Instead of labeling every form of sexual expression as "safe"
and "unsafe," it's more realistic to think of sex as a range of
risks, from less risky to more risky. Sex is also something you
have with another person, so you might want to think about how you
make decisions with a partner. Think about what you find pleasurable
about sex, where, and with whom. Consider what risks are involved,
and whether those will worry you later. Then try to think about
how you might lower the risks while holding on to the pleasure.
Some people have decided not to have sex with people they don't
know well, or made certain kinds of sex off limits. Some have reduced
the number of their sexual partners. Only you can decide what risks
are worth taking and what risks are not.
Staying safer-Tools
of the trade
Clean needles and bleach. Using a new, clean needle is
by far the best protection against the virus if you are shooting
drugs. Some states, including New York, have needle exchange programs
(where you can get free, clean needles) or needles for sale in drugstores.
If you do not get your set brand-new and sealed from a needle exchange
or pharmacy, clean it before you use it.
Latex condoms ("rubbers") prevent HIV infection.
Using a condom may not always be easy, but it can save your life
or someone else's. When used right, condoms seldom break, tear,
or slip. You can also use a dry condom, or a flavored one, for oral
sex, or cut a condom to the center and open it up to use for oral-anal
or oral-vaginal sex. Never re-use a condom.
Plastic wrap and dental dams stop HIV when used
for oral sex on a woman or for oral-anal sex. Dental dams are latex
squares available in medical supply stores and from some adult shops.
Some people find it easier to use a large sheet of plastic wrap.
Be sure the dam or plastic wrap covers the entire vulva (clitoris
and vaginal opening) and that you hold it at both edges. Be careful
not to turn the dam or plastic wrap inside-out while you use it.
The "female condom" is a plastic sheath that women
can insert in their vaginas and use for protection against HIV.
The female condom can be inserted up to 8 hours before sex, has
rings at both ends to hold it in place, and can be lubricated with
oil-based lubricants that stay wet longer. This kind of condom takes
practice to use, and is more expensive than a latex condom. Some
men have also used the female condom for anal sex, though it has
not been tested or approved for this use.
To test or not to test
It can be scary to consider, but taking the HIV test is one of
the best ways to stay healthy. Finding out that you have HIV can
be an important step toward taking care of your health and planning
for the future. Learning that you are HIV negative, too, can help
you to figure out how to stay that way. It is most helpful to take
the test in a situation where the test is voluntary, anonymous,
or confidential, and where counseling is offered before and after
the test.
How does the HIV test
work?
Standard HIV tests look for HIV antibodies, which are cells the
body makes after HIV enters the blood. It can take up to three months
to make enough antibodies so that they will show up on the test,
although in most cases, infection can be detected in four weeks.
If an infected person tests too soon during this "window period",
the HIV test may not find infection, but the person can infect others.
There are different kinds of blood tests, including a new test that
can give you quicker results and an oral test that looks for HIV
antibodies in the mucosal fluid in your mouth. (See our Testing
section for more information.)
Where can
I get tested?
In many states, public clinics offer a free, anonymous test, which
means they do not take your name. Private clinics, including the
Geffen Center at GMHC, and doctors also give the test, and they
can promise to keep your name "confidential" or allow you to use
a name without showing identification. "Confidential" means that
while they are required to tell their local health departments the
names of all persons who test HIV-positive, they will not otherwise
release your name without your consent. Some clinics and "home tests"
offer "immediate results," but be warned - that's only if you are
HIV-negative. To confirm that you have HIV, your blood has to be
drawn for another test. (See our Testing
section for more information.)
What about treatment?
People with HIV or AIDS can do a number of things to stay healthy,
which is why it's important to know your status. Although there
is no treatment that cures HIV, drugs are now available that can
prevent AIDS-related pneumonia and other serious diseases; other
medications help the body fight the virus itself. However, many
of these drugs may have unintended, harmful side-effects. Talk with
your doctor or call the GMHC Hotline to discuss your options. (See
our Treatment section
for more information.)
Rights of people with
HIV/AIDS
It is against federal law to discriminate against people who have
disabilities, including people with HIV/AIDS. That means it is illegal
for people to discriminate concerning jobs, housing, medical care,
and in most businesses that are open to the public. Many states
and cities have other specific protections against discrimination,
as well as laws that prevent your doctor or your employer from telling
people that you have HIV. If you feel you have been discriminated
against based on your HIV status, call the GMHC
Legal Department at 212-367-1040.
How can GMHC help?
GMHC is here to give support and information to people who have
HIV/AIDS, to people who are at risk, and to people who just want
to understand the issues. If you
want more information, or want to talk to someone about your concerns,
call GMHC's Hotline at 1-800-AIDS-NYC.
© 2009 Gay Men's Health Crisis |
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