December is HIV Awareness Month. Here at MyCHN, we are starting a 3-part series on HIV, its effect on lives and communities, and the available treatment. HIV has been around for decades and has been affecting many lives for just as long. As a society, it’s important that we understand what the disease is and that we do our best to spread awareness. So, we’re going to do just that.
About HIV: Explaining the Disease
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. The virus attacks cells that help with fighting infections. If someone has this virus, they are more vulnerable to getting other infections and diseases. This is why you may see that people with HIV may get sick quickly and easily, and to avoid getting other diseases and infections, they ensure that they are clean and not around others who may be sick.
Where Did It Come From?
The disease originated from chimpanzees in Central Africa. There are past studies that show that the virus might have jumped from chimps to humans from as far as the 1800s. Scientists say the virus was passed to humans when they hunt chimps for meat. They came in contact with their infected blood, which was eventually passed to them. It got to the United States around the mid to late 1970s and has been around since then.
How Is it Transmitted?
When it comes to transmission and who can get it, there is a lot of conversation about it. There are only a couple of ways in which someone can get the disease. Most people get it from vaginal or anal sex, but it can also be transmitted by sharing needles, syringes, or other drug injection devices. In order to get the disease, one person must already have it, whether they know it or not.
As mentioned above, sexual intercourse is the most common way people get it. The easiest way to prevent this from happening is by using a condom. Here are some CDC transmission facts to inform you how common and easy HIV is to transmit.
- Anal sex is the riskiest type of sex for transmitting HIV
- Being the receptive partner is risker than being the insertive partner
- Vaginal sex has a lower risk of getting HIV than receptive anal sex
- Either partner can get HIV during vaginal sex
Also, it is important to understand the risk that comes with sharing needles and other drug injection devices. Bodily fluids are the only form of transport for this disease. So, practice safe sex and do your best not to share drug injection devices with anyone, especially if you don’t know their HIV status.
There is one more way that this disease can be transmitted that isn’t talked about very often, and that is from mother to baby. If a mother-to-be gets HIV and is unaware, they can potentially transmit the disease to the unborn baby. In the case that the baby is not born with HIV, there is still a chance that it can be passed down to the baby through breastfeeding. The CDC recommends that all pregnant women are tested for HIV. If tested positive, treatment should be started as soon as possible; this will help in reducing the chance of the baby being born with HIV.
Ways HIV is Transmitted from most common to rare
- Oral, Vaginal, & Anal Sex
- Workplace
- Medical Care
- Food Contamination
- Biting and Spitting
- Open- Mouth Kissing
- Touching (involving body parts & sex toys)
- Tattoos & Body Piercings
Symptoms & How To Check If You Have It
Are there any symptoms to look out for? This is a common question and for a valid reason. You may think you’ve been in contact with the disease, but you may not be sure, and that is fine. In that case, you might want to start off by examining any symptoms you have.
Most begin to see flu-like symptoms within 2 to 4 weeks of being infected. In addition, the symptoms may only last a couple of days or weeks. Some, very rarely, end up not having any symptoms at all. In the case that you have no symptoms but still feel like you have been in contact with the disease, it is best to get tested as soon as possible.
Here are some of the symptoms:
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Rash
- Muscle Aches
- Swollen Lymph Nodes
- Mouth Ulcers
- Chills
- Night Sweats
- Fatigue
If you notice that you have any of these symptoms, the next step would be to get tested. Many are not familiar with or are even nervous about the testing process for HIV. The reality is that testing is quite easy and is a very private process. Whether you want to get tested at home or you want to visit your local clinic, the process is simple and short.
At MyCHN, we have a 15-minute test that can be done with one of our HIV initiative coordinators. Within these 15 minutes, you get to speak to our HIV initiative coordinators. They give you some basic information about the next steps and advice on what you can do to be safe. As for the actual test, a small prick on the finger to get a small sample of blood is taken. Your blood is tested, and before you know if your results are ready. This entire process is private and non-intrusive to your personal life, and that’s how it should be.
So, there is no need to be nervous about the testing process. It’s simple and short, and knowing your status is always better than not knowing.
Where Are With It Today
HIV, in terms of prevention, treatment, and awareness, is not where it was 20 years ago. Technology has advanced, and it’s important to realize that. While there is no cure for the disease, HIV is no longer a death sentence. People with it are living normal lives, to the point where those around them may not even know they have it. This, of course, is a great accomplishment, and we should be proud of where we are. With that being said, we still have a little more work to do in terms of education. So, take the time to ask those around you if they know their HIV status.
Resources
Very Well Health: 6 Signs of HIV to Know
Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health-related topics. If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult your healthcare provider and seek professional medical treatment. Some of the information and content in this blog has linked materials. The links should and are not intended to be construed as medical advice and should not be supplemented as medical advice. If you think you may have a medical emergency, locate emergency services or dial 911.
