HIV
Transmission:
* Virus must be present in sufficient quantity (blood, semen, vaginal, and cervical secretions, pre-cum). Saliva, tears, and urine have no or tiny amounts of HIV.
* HIV penetrates through the skin and into the body through tiny tears or sores in mucous membranes in the mouth, vagina or rectum.
* Possible risk factors for infection: STDs (which create a more direct route for HIV to enter the bloodstream), vaginal irritation due to yeast infection, trichomonas, or bacterial vaginosis (which can cause tiny tears or increased numbers of white blood cells, which in turn increases chances of transmission).
Symptoms:
* HIV can live for up to ten years in the body without causing noticeable symptoms.
* Early phase
o Weight loss
o Fatigue
o Swollen glands
o Skin conditions
* Late phase
o Bronchial infections
o Sores in the mouth (thrush)
o Fevers
o Night sweats
o Appetite loss
o Trouble swallowing
o Headaches
o Diarrhea
* Possible gynecological signs of HIV infection:
o Recurrent yeast infections
o Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
o Severe, extensive genital herpes
*Testing Procedure:
1. The first part is an initial blood screen. A negative result means there are no HIV antibodies in your blood, but false positives can occasionally occur.
2. If the screen is positive, the lab will run a confirmation test called a Western Blot.
Why Do I Need It?:
You should be tested for HIV if you…
* Had unprotected sex. The greatest chance of becoming HIV infected is by having contact with an infected person’s blood, semen or vaginal secretions.
* Have an existing sexual transmitted disease (because it increases your chances of becoming HIV infected.)
* Share needles.
Even if you’ve been infected with HIV, you may not know it right away because you can look and feel healthy for many years afterward. It’s important to know that you have to be HIV infected (HIV positive) and turn ill to have AIDS. While HIV antibodies can be discovered 3 months after exposure, it’s best to be certain by being tested again at 6 months.
Do you feel you might have HIV? Please go to our support forum or Get HIV Tested Today with no appointment or doctor’s order needed
