HIV and AIDS

Description

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that can lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). People who are infected with the virus are said to be HIV positive. Over time (usually many years), HIV affects a person’s immune system, which means the body is less able to protect itself from disease. When the immune system has been badly damaged by HIV infection, people can get sick from infection or cancers. At this stage of HIV infection, a person is said to have AIDS.

Transmission

HIV may be transmitted when blood, semen or vaginal fluid from an infected person enters the body of an uninfected person. This can happen through:

• unsafe sex – rectal, oral and vaginal
• sharing needles and injecting equipment contaminated with blood.

Mothers who are HIV positive can transmit the virus to their babies:

• during pregnancy
• during (a vaginal) birth
• when breast feeding.

HIV may also be transmitted through donated blood and blood products. However all blood, organs, tissues and semen donated in Australia are screened for HIV. The risk of getting HIV from these products in Australia is very low. Donating blood or body parts does not put you at risk of HIV infection.

A blood test is the only way of detecting HIV. Most people with HIV look and feel well for many years and they may not even know they are infected.

If you find out that you do have HIV, anyone you have practised unsafe behaviours with should also be offered a test. If you feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about telling your current or ex-partners, the doctor and nurse will assist by contacting them. Your name is not mentioned to ensure it is a confidential process. Remember, it is very important for your partner’s health and the health of other people they have sex with.

If you think you or your partner has been at risk of infection, you can have a blood test through your local doctor or sexual health clinic. You have the right to a confidential coded test.

Treatment

Medical research has made great progress in reducing the impact of HIV infection on the immune system and managing the illnesses associated with HIV. Currently there is no cure for HIV and AIDS. There is no vaccine to prevent infection. There are antiviral treatments which keep the virus under control for long periods of time. If you are HIV positive, the outlook is constantly improving. HIV positive people should consult an HIV specialist to ensure they have access to the latest treatment and advice.

Health Outcome

Left untreated over time, HIV destroys the body’s immune system. When the damage is severe, people can develop other life-threatening illnesses. At this stage of HIV infection, a person is said to have AIDS.

Prevention

• Practise safe sex. Always using condoms when you have vaginal or anal sex is the best way to reduce your risk of getting or transmitting HIV through sexual contact. Using water-based lubricant with condoms is recommended.
• Oral sex represents only a small risk for the transmission of HIV/AIDS but may still represent a risk for the transmission of other sexually transmissible infections (STIs). To avoid the risk of transmission of HIV or STIs, if you are giving a man oral sex (his penis in your mouth), he should wear a condom. Whether you are male or female, if you put your mouth in contact with your partner’s anus or vulva while having sex, you should use a dental dam.
• If you choose not to use a condom or dam to reduce the risk of the transmission of HIV you should avoid oral sex especially if you have bleeding gums or ulcers and immediately after cleaning your teeth. Do not allow semen, vaginal fluids and menstrual blood to enter the mouth.

It can take up to three months to detect HIV in the blood through a blood test. This is called the window period.

If you have had unsafe sex or may have been exposed to HIV through sharing needles or other injecting equipment you will need to wait three months before you can be sure of a negative test result. During this time, always practice safe sex. Do not donate blood during this time.

If you or your partner have more than one sexual partner and do not use condoms, have regular sexual health checkups.

Do not have sex if you or your sexual partner has a genital sore or ulcer or a sexually transmissible infection. Other STIs enable HIV to spread more easily from person to person.

Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a treatment that may prevent HIV infection.  It is a combination of anti-HIV drugs that must be taken exactly as prescribed at very specific times over a four week period.  It is extremely important that a person, who may have been exposed to HIV through contact with blood or body fluids from an HIV positive person, seeks treatment as soon as possible.  PEP is most effective when taken immediately after exposure to HIV, preferably within two hours but it may still be effective if taken within 72 hours (three days) of exposure.

Help and Assistance

For more information on HIV, you can talk to:

• your local doctor
• your local sexual health clinic
• the AIDS Medical Unit (Brisbane) (07 3224 5526)
• Queensland Association for Healthy Communities Inc. (listed in the phone book)

Other Resources