EC DOH: HIV/AIDS Fact Sheet

STDs

HIV/AIDS Fact Sheet

What is AIDS?

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the final and most severe stage of HIV infection. AIDS is a disease in which the body's natural immune system breaks down, leaving it unable to fight off infections and cancers.

What causes AIDS?

AIDS is caused by a virus called human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

How Infectious is HIV?

Unlike most viral infections (colds, flu, measles, etc.) HIV is not transmitted through sneezing, coughing, eating or drinking from common utensils or merely being around a person with HIV infection. Casual contact with people who have HIV infection does not place others at risk. No cases have ever been found where HIV has been transmitted through casual contact with a household member, relative, co-worker or friend.

How is HIV transmitted?

HIV is not an easily transmissible virus. HIV is spread by direct contact with infected body fluids, including blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk. This means that HIV contained in one of these fluids can enter the bloodstream through direct entry into a vein, a break in the skin or mucous linings, such as eyes, mouth, nose, vagina, rectum or urethra. Other body fluids such as urine, saliva, vomitus, etc., do not pose a risk unless visible blood is present. The virus is not transmitted through air, water, food or casual contact such as handshaking, hugging, or sharing rest rooms, drinking fountains, etc.

How can HIV be prevented?

Since no vaccine for HIV is available, the only way to prevent infection by the virus is to avoid behaviors that put a person at risk of infection, such as sharing needles and having unprotected sex. Because many people infected with HIV have no symptoms, there is no way of knowing with certainty whether a sexual partner is infected unless he or she has been repeatedly tested for the virus or has not engaged in any risk behavior. The United States Public Health Service recommends that people either abstain from sex or protect themselves by using latex condoms whenever having oral, anal or vaginal sex with someone they are not certain is free of HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. Only condoms made of latex should be used, and water-based lubricants should be used with latex condoms.

Although some laboratory evidence shows that spermicides can kill HIV organisms, scientists are still evaluating the usefulness of spermicides in preventing HIV infection. Some studies have found that frequent use of spermicides (more than three times a week) may cause vaginal inflammation, which might facilitate HIV transmission.

Is there a blood test for AIDS?

No, however, the HIV antibody test can detect antibodies (substances produced in the blood to fight disease organisms) to HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Presence of these antibodies in the bloodstream means that a person is infected with the virus. A positive test does not mean a person has AIDS. There are other laboratory tests that can detect immune system damage associated with HIV infection and AIDS.

How soon after becoming infected with HIV are antibodies detectable by the HIV antibody test?

Most people infected with HIV develop antibodies in levels high enough to be detected by the HIV antibody test within a few weeks. All people infected with HIV, whether or not they have developed detectable levels of antibodies, can transmit the virus to others through unprotected sexual contact or needle-sharing. A mother infected with HIV can also transmit the virus to her baby during pregnancy, delivery or by breastfeeding.

Source: NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
AIDS: 100 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 1994

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES
HIV INFECTION AND AIDS
DECEMBER 1994

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