AIDS stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, a medical diagnosis of particular conditions. AIDS is the later stage of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The first reported cases of AIDS were in 1981, and, since then, more than half of the thousands of Americans who have been diagnosed have died.

How does HIV cause AIDS?

When HIV enters a person's bloodstream, it invades and damages a type of white blood cells responsible for regulating the immune system, the body's first line of defense. The virus also multiplies and attacks more cells. Eventually, the immune system is overwhelmed and cannot fight off infections. People with HIV may develop life-threatening illnesses which would not affect persons with normal immune systems. The presence of certain types of infections define the diagnosis of AIDS. Most people infected with HIV remain free of symptoms for a long period of time. This period can range from a few months to many years. It is important to remember, however, that a person can transmit the virus to others even though he or she may look and feel healthy.

Parts of the HIV Virus

How does infection occur?

HIV is transmitted only through a few well-defined routes: semen, vaginal fluids, and blood. A person may become infected by having sex -anal, oral, or vaginal- or sharing needles with someone who is infected. Babies born to HIV-infected mothers may also have HIV. People who received blood transfusions or blood products between 1978 and 1985 risked infection. Since 1985, blood donors are screened for risk factor and all donated blood products are tested before use, although it is impossible to be infected by the AIDS virus by giving blood at a blood bank in the United States.

No one has ever been infected with HIV through casual contact, such as shaking hands, hugging, eating in restaurants, swimming in pools, sharing water fountains or toilets with others, nor by insect bites. The virus does not survive well outside of the human body and there is no evidence of transmission in situations we encounter in our everyday lives.

How is infection prevented?

If you are not infected now, and you abstain from sex and drug use, there is virtually no risk of infection with HIV. Other steps that help prevent the spread of the virus are:

Use latex condoms, barrier protection for all vaginal, anal and oral sexual activities unless you are certain that both you and your partner are not infected

Condoms are the best means now available for preventing sexual transmission for those who do not practice abstinence and have not formed a mutually faithful, monogamous relationship, but they are not foolproof. They must be used correctly and every time you have sex.
 
Do not use drugs. If you do, don't share needles or "works." Any kind of needle sharing is dangerous, including tatooing and body piercing.

Avoid sexual practices which injure body tissue, such as anal sex.Limit your number of sex partners

Do not come in blood to blood contact with another person.

HIV/AIDS testing

The only way to tell if you have the AIDS virus is by being tested. The Public Health Service recommends you should be counseled and tested if, since 1978, you have had any sexually transmitted disease or have shared needles for injecting drugs; if you are a man who has had sex with another man; or if you have had sex with a prostitute, male or female. You should also be tested if you have had sex with anyone who you know has done any of these things. If you are a woman who has been engaging in risky behavior and you plan to have a baby or are not using birth control, you should be tested. Your doctor may advise you to be tested if you have received a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985. If you have been diagnosed with TB (tuberculosis), your doctor may also advise you to be tested for the AIDS virus

If you test positive, and find you have been infected with the AIDS virus, you must take steps to protect your partner. More important, even though your test may be negative, you may still be infected with the AIDS virus, and should take precautions not to transmit it to your partner. People who have always practiced safe behavior do not need to be tested. There's been a great deal in the press about problems with the test. It is very reliable if it is done by a good laboratory and results are interpreted by a physician or counselor. If you have engaged in risky behavior, speak frankly to a doctor who understands the about HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

There are several options for testing; one being the Health Department in any county in Alabama. The Health Department or other testing site will use the ELISA test. The ELISA test is the AIDS antibody test you usually hear about. ELISA, also called EIA, stands for Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. It is the one used when you donate blood. It is also the first test used at clinics, hospitals, and counseling and testing centers.

The ELISA test currently in use looks for the presence of antibodies that your body might have developed to fight HIV infection, the virus that causes AIDS. It does not test for the virus itself. A positive ELISA test might not mean you're infected with the AIDS virus. However, it would be a sign that further testing is needed.

There are two kinds of tests that could be used if your blood shows a positive reaction to the ELISA test. One is called the Western Blot test and the other is called IFA. Either of these tests can be used to confirm a positive ELISA test.

A negative test is also not conclusive. If you have been infected with the virus recently, a negative test may mean that your body might not have had time to develop antibodies against HIV infection.

Once you are infected, you probably will remain infected for life. It could take years for you to begin showing the symptoms of AIDS. If you are worried that you may have been infected, find out about the test. It can end a lot of needless worry on your part. It is often available free or at low cost.

When you go to take an HIV test, a small quantity of blood will be drawn from your arm. The blood will then be taken to the laboratory and tested. You should ask the physician or counselor how you will be informed of the test results. Regardless of your results, you should request counseling to help you better understand what the test means to you.

The state of Alabama has "confidential" testing that links test results to people and records these results in medical files; state laws limit who can have access to the results and under what conditions they can gain access.

If you test positive, it is vital you understand that you can infect other people through sexual contact and sharing drug needles and syringes. You can also infect your unborn child. You must contact your sexual partners and tell them about the infection. Professional counseling can go a long way to help you deal with the realities of your test result.

Facts and Statistics

HIV/AIDS in the World
There are 36 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the world
22 million people have died of AIDS
Worldwide, there are 15, 000 new infections per day; that's 11 new infections per minute

HIV/AIDS in the US
There are 40,000 new cases of HIV disease per year in the US
1⁄2 of those new infections occur in people under the age of 25
The CDC estimates that 5 million Americans are engaging in sexual behaviors that put them at risk for contracting HIV disease
The CDC estimates that 200,000-300,000 people in the US are infected but have not been tested
800,000-950,000 people in the US are living with HIV/AIDS
1 in 10 new cases of HIV/AIDS in the US are in people 50 years of age and older
AIDS is the leading cause of death for African-American males ages 25-44
AIDS in women has tripled over the past 10 years

HIV/AIDS in Alabama
There have been more than 12, 000 cases of HIV/AIDS in Alabama
Every county in Alabama has persons living with AIDS and/or HIV infection
In 2, 000, over 70% of new infections in Alabama were in African-Americans although African-Americans account for 26% of the state's population

HIV/AIDS in Huntsville
There have been over 500 cases of HIV/AIDS in Madison County
The AAC/Davis Clinic currently serves 319 active clients

HIV/AIDS in general
The average length of time between initial infection with HIV and a diagnosis of AIDS is greater than 10 years
Medications used to treat HIV/AIDS typically cost $900-1200 per month
There is no cure for AIDS
Although there is no cure or vaccine for AIDS, people who are infected with HIV can be healthy and productive for many years with proper medical care
70% of the Davis Clinic clients have no public or private insurance