HIV/AIDS are Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Ohio University's Student Health Service offers both confidential and anonymous HIV testing.
HIV infections weaken the body's ability to fight diseases by suppressing the body's immune system. HIV attacks the white blood cells that help protect the body against many types of infections and cancers. AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is considered the last stage of HIV infection.
Important facts
AIDS-induced diseases take advantage of and invade the body's weakened immune system and are frequently fatal.
AIDS symptoms are usually due to the effects of opportunistic diseases.
40,000 Americans become HIV infected each year.
Currently, there have been more than 700,000 cases of AIDS in the United States.
Like other viruses, HIV remains in the body for life.
Common symptoms
Constant or rapid unexplained weight loss, diarrhea, lack of appetite
Fatigue, persistent fevers, night sweats, dry cough
Lightheadedness, headaches, mental disorders
A thick, whitish coating on the tongue or mouth (known as thrush)
Severe or recurring vaginal yeast infections
Chronic PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease)
Purplish growths on the skin
There may be no symptoms for 10 years or more.
How HIV is spread
HIV is spread in blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk by:
Anal and vaginal intercourse (although HIV may be transmitted through oral intercourse, this is less common).
Sharing contaminated needles
Transfusions of contaminated blood products (In the US, screening for HIV has been preformed on all donated blood since 1985).
Childbirth
Breastfeeding
Accidental pricks with contaminated needles in the course of health care.
Diagnosis
There are blood tests to detect HIV antibodies.
Diagnosis of AIDS is based on the presence of one or more of a variety of conditions and opportunistic infections related to HIV infection.
One general guideline is if one's T4 cell count (a type of white blood cell) falls below 200.
There is also a new mouth swab that is being used as a way to test for HIV.
Treatment
There is no cure or vaccine for HIV.
HIV infection and many AIDS-related conditions such as pneumonias, cancers, and a variety of infections that take advantage of weakened immune systems can be managed to some extent with a variety of treatments.
At this time, no one has totally recovered from AIDS. However, with new drugs, HIV infections are now being considered a chronic, manageable disease.
It is important to note that a person can be infected with HIV and transmit it to others without having any symptoms.
Prevention and protection
Condoms and other latex barriers offer protection against HIV infections.
Recent data indicates that nonoxynal 9 (N-9) may increase the risk for HIV transmission during anal intercourse. N-9 can damage the cells lining the rectum, thus providing a portal of entry for HIV and other sexually transmissible agents. Therefore, N-9 should not be used as a lubricant during anal intercourse.
Risk of HIV infection increases with the number of sexual partners
Hudson Health Center Athens, Ohio 45701 T: (740) 593-1660
