HIV/AIDS Facts

The text below was taken from Scepter Institute's brochure Everything you wanted to know about HIV/AIDS but were afraid to ask! Printed brochures may be purchased in quantities of 100, see our Products page for more information.

Everything You Wanted to Know About HIV and AIDS But Were Afraid to Ask

bad news

• HIV/AIDS is real.
• HIV/AIDS is deadly.

good news

• HIV/AIDS is preventable.
• Life is worth living.
• Sex is worth waiting for.
• You are worth waiting for.

what exactly is HIV/AIDS?
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. A person who contracts HIV will eventually develop AIDS. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is the final and fatal stage of the HIV infection.

it's just a dumb virus!

• It doesn't care if you are rich or poor.
• It doesn't care if you are religious or irreligious.
• It doesn't care if you are young or old.
• It's just a dumb virus looking for a home.

can you prevent HIV/AIDS?
Don't do risk activity and you won't get the virus.

Over a long period of time, HIV destroys the immune system. The immune system is what the body uses to fight disease. AIDS allows life-threatening diseases to attack the body. It is these diseases called "opportunistic infections" that actually kill.

what are the symptoms of HIV/AIDS?
You can't tell just by looking at a person that they have HIV. Some may appear perfectly healthy. They may be sick for a few days after becoming infected, but then show no symptoms for the next 6-10 years. The only way to know if you have HIV is to get a blood test.

When HIV becomes AIDS the person may experience, among other things, pneumonias, extreme weight loss, skin lesions, and vomiting. When they reach this point, AIDS victims have only a few months or years to live.

how can you become infected?
You can become infected with HIV in two main ways:

• By participating in sexual activities with an infected person
• By sharing needles or syringes with an infected person

Unfortunately, people who have engaged in neither of these activities have also become infected through blood transfusions. Pregnant women who are infected can pass the virus on to their babies. There have also been reported cases where the mother passed the virus on through her breast milk.

what kinds of sexual activities can transfer HIV/AIDS?
You can get HIV through sexual activity. This can be vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and may be male-to-female, female-to-male, or male-to-male. An infected person passes the virus through body fluidsÐblood, semen and vaginal secretions. The virus enters the bloodstream through mucous membranes such as those found in the tissues of the vagina, penis, rectum, and mouth.

can you get HIV/AIDS through sharing needles?
Yes. When an infected person uses a needle to inject IV drugs his blood may remain in the needle. If he shares the needle with someone else, HIV can be transferred directly into them. Needles used for tattooing or ear piercing can also transfer the virus. It's important to insist that the technician use sterile equipment if you are going to have either of these done.

can you get HIV/AIDS through casual contact?
Contrary to what you may have heard, you can't get HIV through any of the following:

• Shaking hands
• Touching / Hugging
• Kissing on the cheek
• Coughing / Sneezing
• Water fountains
• Glasses / Cups / Dishes
• Kitchen utensils
• Exercise equipment
• Swimming pools
• Bathroom sinks
• Toilet seats / Urinals
• Bathtubs / Showers
• Telephones
• Office equipment
• Furniture
• Books / Magazines
• Mail / Pens / Pencils
• Clothing / Towels
• Animals / Insects
• Giving blood

The virus lives only briefly outside the body and can't be passed through unbroken skin. It isn't transferred through air or water. You won't get HIV from merely living with an infected person. Children will not get HIV by sitting next to or having recess with an infected child. It's also safe to donate blood at your local blood bank. Each time blood is taken a sterile, new needle is used.

You should not be afraid to help someone who has HIV as long as precautions are taken (rubber gloves, cleaning solutions, etc.) and no bodily fluids are transmitted.

isn't HIV/AIDS a homosexual disease?
When HIV was first diagnosed in the early 1980's it was found primarily among the homosexual community. Even today the majority of reported cases are found among homosexuals.

who's at risk for HIV/AIDS?
You must understand that the disease does not discriminate. It may infect anyone who comes in sexual or blood contact with an infected person. In fact, the disease is spreading fastest among the heterosexual community and in the teen population.

why are teenagers at such risk for HIV?
Because of the dramatic rise in sexual activity among teenagers, they are becoming affected more and more by the reality of HIV/AIDS. Many of them are ignoring warnings because the disease does not manifest itself in symptoms until after their teen years. Peer pressure among teens to engage in premarital sex and participate in drug use is great. Teens need to know that HIV/AIDS does not discriminate. It will infect them if they do the kinds of risk activities that involve the exchange of male or female sexual fluids or blood. In addition to HIV/AIDS, there are now several dozen other sexually transmitted diseases. While some may not kill you, they can mess up your life.

can HIV/AIDS be cured?
Right now, there is no cure for HIV/AIDS. When an individual becomes infected, they are infected for life. There have been no known cases of HIV/AIDS being cured. Despite this fact, there are things that can be done to treat the person who is infected. Because of medical advances PWA's (People With AIDS) are living longer and healthier lives.

avoid risk activities and you won't get HIV/AIDS

what is the best way to prevent HIV/AIDS?
The best way to prevent infection by the HIV virus is to not engage in any risk behavior (such as sexual activity, drug use). The "safe sex" message is a popular one. It says that sex with a condom will prevent the transmission of the virus. The fact is that condoms are not 100% safe. The only "safe sex" is between two uninfected partners who are married to each other.

For the unmarried, the only truly "safe sex" is to not have sex. If you are a teen, you need to recognize that sex is worth waiting for and you are worth waiting for.

The other high risk behavior closely associated with HIV transmission is intravenous drug use. The best way to prevent this is to avoid intravenous drug use.

it seems like "everyone is doing it." do you recommend abstinence as prevention?
Although it is not a popular message, the best form of HIV/AIDS prevention for the unmarried is abstinence. But the teen who chooses to wait is not in the minority anymore. Recent studies show that the majority of young teens believe waiting for marriage to have sex is best. The physical and emotional needs of teens and singles are great, but the risk of HIV/AIDS acquired through sexual activity is even greater. There is tremendous pressure on teens and singles to engage in sex before marriage, but many don't understand the consequences. Today, those consequences include HIV/AIDS. Having sex today may indeed find you performing "a death defying act."

what should i do if i have participated in risk activities?
We recommend that you get an HIV test. If the activity was recent (last 90 days) we suggest you get tested 3 times in the next year. This test will look for antibodies to the virus which normally develop in 2 weeks to 8 months after exposure.Your doctor or your public health department will be able to arrange this test for you. The results will be kept confidential.