What is AIDS? | What is HIV? | How do people get HIV? | Am I likely to get HIV or AIDS? | What does HIV do to a person? | Is there an easy way to tell if someone has HIV? | Is there a test to find out if I have HIV? | Do I need to take the test? | What happens to my body if I am HIV-positive? | What's the difference between HIV disease and AIDS? | What should I do if I find out I am HIV-positive? | Are there medical treatments for people living with HIV/AIDS? | What else can be done for people living with HIV/AIDS? | How can I avoid becoming infected with HIV?
AIDS is an acronym that stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. The term refers to a set or syndrome of medical conditions many of them life threatening.
HIV is an acronym that stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV causes HIV disease which may be symptomatic or asymptomatic. AIDS is the final stage of HIV disease.
HOW DO PEOPLE GET HIV?HIV is transmitted between human beings via blood semen breast milk and vaginal fluids. Transmission occurs when one or more of those fluids from an infected individual are introduced into the bloodstream of another individual. There are a variety of ways this can occur:
People can also be born with HIV if their mothers are infected as the virus can pass from a woman to her fetus during pregnancy or birth. The use of the anti-viral drug AZT during pregnancy however can reduce the risk of transmission by as much as two-thirds. New research indicates that an elective caesarian section in addition to AZT therapy reduces the risk of transmission even further. As the virus is also present in breast milk HIV can also pass between a woman and her child during breast-feeding. Researchers are studying other antiretroviral medications that may also reduce the transmission of HIV from mother to child; this site will be updated as the conclusions of this research are made public.
AM I LIKELY TO GET HIV OR AIDS?The chances of contracting HIV are very small as long as you don't practice behaviors that put you at risk for HIV. The virus itself is not passed through casual contact so:
HIV impedes the proper functioning of the immune system which is our body's shield against disease. Individuals with the virus develop harmful conditions (called opportunistic infections) that don't usually affect other people. Some people develop symptoms shortly after being infected. For others it can take more than 10 years.
IS THERE AN EASY WAY TO TELL IF SOMEONE HAS HIV?No there's not: you can't tell if someone has HIV by looking at them and even if you ask you may not learn the truth. Most people living with HIV don't even know they have the virus. And some people won't tell you they have it even if they do know their HIV status.
IS THERE A TEST TO FIND OUT IF I HAVE HIV?Yes. To learn more about testing procedures and locations in Bermuda call the Bermuda Department of Health at 236-0224.
DO I NEED TO TAKE THE TEST?The Allan Vincent Smith Foundation encourages everyone to get tested in order find out their HIV status since studies show that people who know their status are better able to protect themselves and others from the effects of the virus. If you think that you or your partner(s) are at risk then take the test.
Many people are afraid to get tested. UNAIDS estimates that more than a third of people who are infected DO NOT KNOW they are infected because they have not been tested. Often when people wait to get the HIV-Antibody test it is too late for treatment options to be effective.
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY BODY IF I AM HIV-POSITIVE?Detectable antibodies usually develop within four weeks to three months of HIV infection. Some people have symptoms during this time. They are usually not severe. They include slight fever headaches fatigue muscle aches and swollen glands. These symptoms may last for a few weeks. There are usually no symptoms for a long time after the antibodies have developed with the current average span of asymptomatic HIV disease standing at just over ten years after point of infection. Despite the lack of symptoms though the immune system and some body tissue may be damaged during this time. The first symptom of HIV disease is often swelling of lymph glands in the throat armpit or groin. This may be the only symptom for a number of years. Later symptoms of HIV disease can include thrush (a yeast-like infection that causes a white coating in the vagina mouth and throat) viral infections that affect the anal or genital areas severe herpes zoster infections or pelvic inflammation. AIDS is the final stage of HIV disease although it may take many years after HIV infection for AIDS to develop.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIV DISEASE AND AIDS?An AIDS diagnosis is based on several factors including the presence of HIV antibodies T lymphocyte (white blood cell) counts below 200 per milli-liter of blood and the presence of one or more opportunistic infections as defined by the Center for Disease Control's definition of AIDS. Specific symptoms that may be associated with AIDS include:
While many such symptoms may also be caused by conditions that are unrelated to HIV disease or AIDS you should consult your physician if any of the symptoms persist.
WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I FIND OUT I AM HIV POSITIVE?If you live in Bermuda you should contact your personal Health Care Provider or the Bermuda Department of Health at 236-0224. Click Here for more information. In addition The Allan Vincent Smith Foundation can help provide you with the referrals and support you need. You should also consider the following guidelines:
A variety of new medical treatments offer hope for many people with HIV. These treatments help slow the replication of the virus and help people live longer healthier lives. However some people have difficulty tolerating the side effects that are associated with these medications. It's also important to note that even with advances in medical management of HIV disease there is still no cure for AIDS. Close consultation with your Health Care Provider will ensure that you have the best treatment available in Bermuda. Persons living with HIV & AIDS who take an active participatory role in the management of their illness are known to live longer and more productive lives.
WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV OR AIDS?People living with HIV or AIDS need positive psychological environments just as much as they need the most advanced medical therapies. Many may also need assistance negotiating the complex web of needed services resources and entitlements for which they may be eligible.
We recommend that people living with HIV and AIDS be treated the same as anyone else. There should be no fear in continuing social contact with friends who are living with HIV/AIDS. In addition unless otherwise stated by a doctor a person living with HIV/AIDS can continue to be a part of the workforce.
HOW CAN I AVOID BECOMING INFECTED WITH HIV?The surest way is to abstain from unprotected sexual behaviors and totally avoid sharing needles of any kind. When engaging in sexual behaviors always practice safer sex to reduce the risk of exchanging blood semen or vaginal fluids with your sex partner.