Overview Overview: HIV/AIDS

Facts: ˆ Back To Top

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).
Over 34 million people are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide; almost a million in the U.S.
In Wyoming, over 230 people are living with HIV/AIDS.
You may get infected with HIV if you –
Have unprotected (not using a condom) oral, vaginal or anal sex with someone who is infected;
Share needles, syringes or works with someone who is infected;
Are exposed (fetus or infant) to HIV before or during birth or through breast feeding.
HIV is not transmitted by shaking hands, hugging, kissing, or sitting on a toilet seat.

5 ways to prevent HIV:
Be abstinent.
Get tested and know your status.
Know your partners status.
Use a condom every time you have oral, vaginal or anal sex.
Don’t inject drugs, but if you do, don’t share equipment (needles, syringes, works).

Stethoscope Symptoms: HIV/AIDS ˆ Back To Top

Symptoms of early HIV infection include:
Having flu-like (fever, body aches, chills) symptoms that last for a week or two.
Swollen glands.
Night sweats.
Unexplained weight loss.
Thrush (white growth in mouth or on/under tongue)

Treatment Treatment/Vaccine: HIV/AIDS ˆ Back To Top

Currently, there is no cure for HIV/AIDS or vaccine to prevent it.
Treatments are available to reduce viral load and to increase or stabilize the body’s immune system.

Support Testing: HIV/AIDS ˆ Back To Top

WDH sponsored clinics use the Clearview Complete 1/2 Rapid Test which uses a small amount of blood from a finger prick to look for HIV antibodies. Preliminary test results are available in 15 minutes. If a person has a reactive test (presumably positive), a larger blood sample will be submitted to a laboratory to confirm or not confirm the results.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NPIN, HIV Fact Sheets, 2012