The 10 Facts on HIV and AIDS
1. AIDS is caused by the HIV virus.
◇ AIDS is the abbreviation for "Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome".
◇ HIV is the abbreviation for "Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus".
◇ When HIV invades the human body, it multiplies and destroys the human immune system gradually, lowering the body's defense and leading to the development of various infections or tumors, and ultimately death.
◇ At present there is no cure for AIDS, but proper treatment can slow the virus reproduction in the body, as well as offer hope for a longer and healthier life.
2. A person with HIV can look perfectly healthy but is still able to pass HIV to others.
◇ It takes 2 - 12 weeks to detect the HIV antibody in the blood after HIV enters the human body, and this period is called "window period". Although antibody cannot be detected during this period, HIV is already in the body and can be passed on to others.
◇ During the incubation period, or the time before a person living with HIV gets AIDS, the person can look perfectly normal without any symptoms, but HIV can be passed on to others via high risk behaviors.
◇ HIV gradually destroys the human immune system. Without treatment, within 10 years about two-thirds of people living with HIV develop AIDS. This period can be shorter if the individual is unhealthy or lives in a place with many diseases.
◇ When the immune system of the person living with HIV is severely damaged and can't maintain daily defense against diseases, the person can then develop AIDS disease. Symptoms may include chronic low fever, weight loss, sweating, diarrhea, coughing and skin rash.
◇ Half of children living with HIV will die before the age of 2 if they do not get appropriate treatment and support.
3. HIV is transmitted in three ways: sexual contact, blood, and mother-to-child
◇ HIV exists mainly in the human blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk, and is transmitted via exchange of HIV-infected body fluids.
◇ HIV can be transmitted through sexual contact between men and women or sexual contact between people of the same sex. Reducing the number of sexual partners can help reduce HIV risk. Having a sexually transmitted disease increases the risk of getting HIV.
◇ Sharing a syringe while injecting drugs is a high risk behavior which can transmit HIV from one person to another.
◇ Sharing syringes while receiving blood products in a hospital or clinic or use of un-sterilized needles and intrusive medical devices may lead to HIV infection.
◇ Mothers living with HIV can pass the virus to their infants during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding.
4. HIV is not transmitted by everyday contact
◇ HIV is a vulnerable virus that dies soon after it leaves the human body.
◇ Saliva, tears, sweat, and urine have very low levels of virus that are not sufficient to infect others. To date, no cases of HIV transmission has been recorded by these fluids
◇ HIV is NOT transmitted by daily contact with people living with HIV/AIDS such as:
Handshakes; hugging, and kissing;
Eating with the same utensils, plates, or cups; riding in the same bus; studying and playing together;
Sharing stationary; cooking utensils; a toilet; a swimming pool; bed and daily appliances;
Coughing and sneezing
◇ Mosquito and insect bites do not transmit HIV, because HIV cannot multiply in the insect's body. The trace amount of the virus on the mosquito is not sufficient to cause an infection. No case has been found in the world of transmission of HIV by a mosquito or other insect.
5. The risk of HIV transmission through sex can be reduced and prevented.
◇ Abstinence or delay in starting sex is an approach that prevents exposure to sexually transmitted infections such as HIV.
◇ Having one sex partner can prevent or lower the risk of HIV transmission; especially if you use a condom during sex. Both partners must be faithful.
◇ The proper and consistent use of good quality condoms during sex not only helps prevent unplanned pregnancy but also prevents HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases.
◇ HIV can be prevented by improving womens' and girls' ability to negotiate safety in their relationships including use of condoms.
6. Injection drug use is a high risk behaviour that may cause HIV infection
◇ Drug dependency should be considered a health issue, and requires counseling, treatment, care and support. Methadone maintenance and other oral drug substitution programs, along with peer education and support, can reduce HIV risk and assist injection drug users end addiction
◇ Injection drug users can reduce the risk of HIV infection through sterile needle and syringe programs, along with peer education and support.
◇ People who share syringes while taking drugs are at high risk for HIV infection. The sexual partners of drug users are also at risk of HIV infection. Using a condom during sex will reduce the risk of HIV infection.
◇ Promoting, protecting and respecting the rights of drug users is necessary to halt the spread of HIV.
◇ Improving skills to address peer pressure, low self-esteem and future planning can decrease the chances of injection drug use.
7. Avoid unsafe injection or blood transfusion to prevent blood transmission of HIV
◇ Unsafe and unnecessary injections are another cause of HIV transmission. Avoid injections when oral medication will suffice. Avoid unnecessary blood transfusions.
◇ Do not go to unlicensed private clinics for injections, dental work, body tattoos, piercing or cosmetic surgery.
◇ Donate blood at government-approved blood stations. Approved blood donation stations can ensure clinical safety of blood without damaging the health of the blood donor.
8. Counseling and testing for HIV can help you learn your HIV status.
◇ Early testing helps you learn your HIV status, get timely treatment for a longer and healthier life, and take steps to prevent the further spread of the virus.
◇ A diagnosis of HIV requires more than one HIV test to confirm the test results.
◇ The government provides free and confidential HIV counseling and antibody pre-screening services, and offers free ARV treatment to people living with AIDS in financial difficulties.
◇ If you have had a high risk behavior or suspect that you might have been infected, get an HIV test.
◇ High risk behaviors for HIV infection include:
• Sex without the use of a condom
• Sharing of injecting equipment including needles and syringes
• Having a history of selling blood at an illegal blood clinic
• Suspected use of unsafe injection or blood transfusion when seeking medical care
• One of your sex partners has HIV or an STI.
9. People living with HIV/AIDS have the same rights as all people
◇ People living with HIV/AIDS have the right to education, work, and healthcare. Their rights are protected by Chinese and International law.
◇ Discrimination and isolation of people living with HIV/AIDS do not reduce the spread of AIDS, and also causes fear and social instability.
◇ Disclosing the infection status of a person living with HIV/AIDS without his/her consent or attitudes and behaviors that constitute neglect and contempt are all discriminatory behaviors against people living with AIDS.
◇ Communities should care for people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Provision of care, compassion and support to people living with AIDS helps to stop stigma, creates an environment in which people at risk are more willing to come forward for testing and counseling, and contributes to decreasing HIV infection rates.
10. Young people should actively learn the facts on AIDS, and share their knowledge with friends and family members.
◇ AIDS threatens every family, every individual, and affects social development and stability. Preventing AIDS is the responsibility of all.
◇ Actively learn the facts on AIDS, share the knowledge on AIDS prevention and treatment to make your own contribution to the prevention and control of AIDS.
◇ Contact your local CDC for more information.
THE 10 FACTS ON HIV AND AIDS
