HIV / AIDS Facts - Sierra County Government

AIDS stands for Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is the late stage of infection with HIV. HIV enters and replicates in the T4 lymphocytes (T-Helper cells), types of white blood cells which conduct the immune system, and eventually kills them. The destruction of these white blood cells causes a deficiency in a person's immune responses. This leaves a person open to opportunistic infections caused by organisms which might not make a person with a healthy immune system ill. These organisms take the "oppportunity" to make a person sick. Diseases often seen in AIDS patients can cause dysfunction of brain cells causing "dementia", blindness, rashes, skin cancers, dental decay, severe diarrhea, aging and eventually death. AIDS can take up to 10 years or more to develop. Thus, a person infected with HIV may look and feel healthy for many years, but still be able to transmit the virus to someone else.

3. How is HIV transmitted?

HIV is transmitted through intimate contact, primarily through unprotected sexual intercourse. It can also spread through infected blood or blood products and from an infected mother to her baby before, during, or shortly after birth (perinatally). HIV is found in blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breastmilk. An exchange of these bodily fluids between people can potentially transmit HIV. This exchange of infected bodily fluids usually happens through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex, sharing needles or perinatally.

4. How can the spread of HIV be prevented?

The most effective way to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV is to abstain from sexual intercourse or for two uninfected partners to remain mutually faithful. However, the risk of spreading HIV through sexual contact can be significantly reduced by the proper and consistent use of condoms. Blood for transfusion is tested for HIV and other diseases. Needles, syringes, and other skin-piercing instruments should be sterilized or discarded after each use and should never be shared. THERE IS NEVER A RISK OF BECOMING INFECTED WITH HIV BY DONATING BLOOD.

5. Can HIV be transmitted through mosquito bites, hugging, coughing or other casual contact?

No, HIV does not survive easily outside the body. It is NOT spread by casual contact at work or school, by shaking hands, touching, or hugging. It is NOT spread through food or water, by sharing cups or glasses, by coughing or sneezing, in swimming pools or on toilets. It is a HUMAN virus and is not spread by mosquitos or other insects. This means there is no danger of becoming infected through ordinary social contact.

6. Is HIV more prevalent among certain populations in the US?

It is widely believed that the typical person with HIV/AIDS is a homosexual male or an intravenous drug user. However, in reality, a growing number of people living with AIDS are women and youth. Young people under the age of 25 accounted for about half of all new HIV infections in the US. The proportion of all new AIDS cases reported among women has nearly tripled.

7. Who should be tested for HIV?

People who have had unprotected sex, pregnant women, women who plan to become pregnant or are of childbearing age, people who have sexually transmitted diseases or who have been sexually abused, spouses, sex partners, and needle-sharing partners of injecting drug users and anyone who received blood transfusions between early 1978 and mid-1985.

8. When and how often should someone be tested for HIV?

The tests commonly used to detect HIV infection actually look for antibodies produced by your body to fight HIV. Most people develop detectable antibodies within 3-6 months after exposure. Therefore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently recommend testing 6 months after the last possible exposure unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex or sharing needles).

9. Why get tested for HIV?

Although there is still no cure for AIDS, getting diagnosised early and into treatment allows persons who are HIV+ to live longer and healthier lives.

Data provided by the Centers for Disease Control

HIV TESTING and RISK REDUCTION COUNSELING

It's free, confidential, and offered in several locations throughout the county.

The Sierra County Health Department offers free, confidential HIV testing. OraQuick Advance Rapid HIV 1/2 antibody tests are available, which use oral fluid specimens, have an accuracy greater than 99%, and results are provided in just 20 minutes.

Testing is available by appointment at the Sierra County Health Departments: 202 Front Street, Loyalton and at 22 Maiden Lane, Downieville. Call 993-6701 to schedule an appointment.

Ryan White Case Management

The Ryan White Care Act funds provide a variety of services for persons who are HIV+ and their families and/or significant others. Some of the services Sierra County may offer are:

HIV/AIDs case management
Emergency financial assistance
Necessities assistance including food, housing, housekeeping respite, and childcare
Transportation
Utility payments
Rental assistance
Durable Medical Equipment
HIV related medications and supplies
AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)
Benefits counseling

Sierra County AIDS Quilt

In memory of Sierra County residents who have been affected by AIDS, the Mountain Star Quilters, Downieville, have created a memorial quilt depicting the vast golden valley and majestic mountains that surround Sierra County. Floating against the blue sky are custom made white clouds, that are decorated by Sierra County residents who have had a loved one die of AIDS. The quilt is displayed at various public places throughout the county.

Click the logo above to
visit the AIDS Quilt Project.

Print View

Updated on 2007-03-09 14:49:58 by Health