AIDS/HIV

The specific behaviors that spread HIV include:

1. Sharing injection needles, syringes, or drug-use equipment with someone who is HIV-positive.
2. Unprotected (without a condom) rectal entry intercourse (anal sex) with someone who is HIV-positive. Anal sex often tears the rectal blood vessels, allowing the virus to enter the body.
3. Unprotected vaginal intercourse or oral sexual activity with someone who is HIV-positive.

Babies born to or breast-fed by women who are HIV-positive are also at high risk of contracting the virus. Being touched, hugged, or lightly kissed by someone who is HIV-positive will not transfer the virus to you. As long as you practice the prevention behaviors outlined below, you have virtually no risk of contracting the virus. If your behavior puts you at risk for HIV infection, have a blood test six months after the risky behavior. Early diagnosis and treatment of HIV is important even before symptoms develop. A simple, confidential blood test, available from your doctor or a health department, can determine if you are HIV-positive. Remember that it can take up to six months after infection for HIV antibodies to develop, and the virus can be transmitted even before antibodies have developed. Researchers believe that most people who are HIV-positive will eventually develop AIDS. Although there are treatments for some of the symptoms of AIDS, there is currently no cure, and it is apparently always fatal.

Symptoms of HIV Infection and AIDS
The early symptoms of HIV infection are like flu symptoms that won't go away. Common symptoms are:
1:Rapid, unexplained weight loss
2:Persistent unexplained fever and night sweats
3:Persistent severe fatigue
4:Persistent diarrhea
5:Swelling of glands in neck, armpits, or groin
As the immune system deteriorates, a variety of other symptoms may appear, including:
6:Unusual sores on the skin or in the mouth; white patches in the mouth
7:Increased outbreaks of cold sores
8:Unexplained shortness of breath and dry cough
9:Severe numbness or pain in the hands and feet
10:Personality change or mental deterioration
11:Unusual cancers and infections
These symptoms are caused by many illnesses other than HIV infection or AIDS. However, if any symptom develops or persists without a good explanation, especially if your behavior puts you at risk of HIV infection, call your doctor.

Prevention
Only monogamy (you and your partner have sex with each other only) between uninfected partners or sexual abstinence completely eliminates the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. The following actions will reduce your risk:
1:If you are beginning a sexual relationship, take time before having sex to talk about HIV and other STDs. Find out if your partner has ever been exposed or infected or if your partner's behavior puts him or her at risk of HIV infection. Remember that it is possible to be infected without knowing it.
2:Use condoms with any new partner until you are certain that person does not have any sexually transmitted diseases and that neither of you will have unprotected sexual contact with anyone else while your relationship lasts.
3:Remember that it can take up to six months before HIV can be detected in the blood. If you plan to use HIV testing to decide whether condoms are needed, wait six months after any unprotected sexual contact or other high-risk behavior. During this time, both you and your partner need to avoid unprotected sexual contact and use condoms every time you have sexual contact.
4:Avoid unprotected sexual contact with anyone who has symptoms of or who has been exposed to an STD, or whose behavior puts him or her at risk of HIV infection. Keep in mind that a person may have no symptoms but still be able to transmit the diseases.
5:Avoid unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse and oral sex with anyone whose sexual history may not be risk-free. Use latex condoms from the beginning to the end of sexual contact. "Natural" or lambskin condoms, do not protect against HIV infection. For even greater protection, use a spermicide containing nonoxynol-9 in addition to condoms. Apply the spermicide directly into the vagina, not into the condom.
6:Do not rely on spermicides or the diaphragm to protect against STDs. They add some protection when used with condoms but do not provide adequate protection when used alone. They do not protect against HIV.

In addition to the guidelines above, taking the following precautions will reduce your risk of getting HIV and hepatitis B:
7:Avoid activities that spread HIV. Safer activities include closed-mouth kissing, hugging, massage, and other pleasurable touching.
8:Never share needles, syringes, or other personal items that could be contaminated with blood. Even needles that have been boiled can remain contaminated.

For more information, call the National AIDS Hotline at 1-800-342-AIDS.