HIV and AIDS
STD Info: Just the Facts
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus, which leads to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
HIV is a global pandemic, affecting 40 million people worldwide. Worldwide, HIV victims are women and men in almost equal numbers. In the US, women of color are disproportionately affected.
Vaginal, oral and especially anal sex; infected blood or blood products; sharing drug needles with an infected person; and from infected mother to infant in utero, during birth, or while breastfeeding.
Some people experience no symptoms when first infected. Others have flu-like symptoms including fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue and enlarged lymph nodes. The symptoms usually disappear within a week to a month, and the virus can remain dormant for years. However, it continues to weaken the immune system, leaving the individual increasingly unable to fight opportunistic infections.
There is no known cure. Antiviral drugs are used to prolong the life and health of the infected person. other treatments are used to combat opportunistic infections.
Virtually everyone
who becomes infected with HIV will eventually develop AIDS and die of AIDS-related complications.
One quarter of infants born to infected mothers are HIV infected and develop symptoms of AIDS within one year after birth. These infections usually occur during birth, but can be caused by breastfeeding. Antiviral drugs given during pregnancy can greatly reduce the risk to the fetus of contracting HIV to 2% or less,. This is why the US Public Health Service recommends that all pregnant women be tested.
Abstaining from sex with an infected person, especially anal sex, where body fluids, blood, semen or vaginal secretions are likely to be exchanged, is the only 100% effective means of preventing the sexual transmission of HIV. Latex condoms for men and female condoms can reduce but not eliminate the risk of contracting the disease during sex. Spermicides do not protect users from HIV and can actually facilitate contracting the virus. Avoid illicit IV drug use and sharing drug needles. Discuss with health care providers precautions that are taken to avoid transmission of HIV, especially when receiving blood products or blood transfusion.
Male circumcision makes acquiring and transmitting HIV less likely. Uncircumcised males are more likely to harbor pathogens in the foreskin.
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Source: W Cates, "Reproductive Tract Infections," In Hatcher et al, Contraceptive Technology, Ardent Media, 2005.
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