AIDS and HIV Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is HIV?
Answer:
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This is the virus that causes AIDS. This virus may be passed from one person to another when infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions come in contact with an uninfected persons broken skin or mucous membrane. Additionally infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their baby during pregnancy or delivery as well as through breastfeeding. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. Some of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection. For a more technical definition for HIV see
Terms and Acronyms.
Question:
What is AIDS and how is it diagnosed?
Answer: AIDS stands for Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome. Acquired – means that the disease is not hereditary but develops after birth from contact with a disease causing agent i.e. HIV. Immunodeficiency – means that the disease is characterized by a weakening of the immune system. Syndrome – refers to a group of symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease. In the case of AIDS this can include the development of certain infections and or cancers, as well as a decrease in the number of certain cells in a person’s immune system. For a more technical definition for AIDS see Terms and Acronyms.
A diagnosis of AIDS is made by a physician using specific clinical or laboratory standards. An HIV-infected person receives a diagnosis of AIDS after developing one of the CDC-defined AIDS indicator illnesses. An HIV-positive person who has not had any serious illnesses also can receive an AIDS diagnosis on the basis of certain blood tests.
A positive HIV test result does not mean that a person has AIDS. Infection with HIV can weaken the immune system to the point that it has difficulty fighting off certain infections. Many of the infections that cause problems or may be life threatening for people with AIDS, are usually controlled by a healthy immune system, however because the immune system of a person with AIDS is weakened, medical intervention may be necessary to prevent or treat serious illness.
Question: How is HIV transmitted?
Answer: HIV is a fragile virus that is not transmitted through casual contact or ordinary interpersonal activities. People with HIV infection can transmit the virus even if they have no symptoms and are unaware that they are infected. HIV can be transmitted by:
sexual behavior with an infected person
direct exposure to infected blood
sharing needles with an infected person
an HIV-infected woman to her fetus during pregnancy, childbirth, or breast feeding.
Carefully designed and repeated scientific studies have shown that there is no risk of transmitting HIV by:
sharing the same classroom, recreational facilities, sauna & swimming pool, bathroom, food, and eating
utensils
animals or insects
donating blood
coughing or sneezing
Question: What are the symptoms of HIV/AIDS?
Answer: The only way to know if you are infected is to get tested for HIV infection. You cannot rely on symptoms to know whether you are infected or not. Many people that are infected do not show any signs or symptoms for years. The following may be warning signs of HIV infection:
- Rapid weight loss
- Dry cough
- Recurring fever or profuse night sweats
- Profound and unexplained fatigue
- Swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck
- Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week
- White spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth, or in the throat
- Pneumonia
- Red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids
- Memory loss, depression, and other neurological disorders
However, no one should assume they are infected if they have any of these symptoms. Each of these symptoms can be related to other illnesses. Again, the only way to determine whether you are infected is to be tested for HIV infection.
Question:
How is HIV infection treated?
Answer: While it is a chronic medical problem, HIV infection is becoming a manageable disease. Antiviral drug therapy is used to slow down the growth of the HIV infection. These drugs do not kill the virus, however they do allow individuals to stay healthy for longer periods of time. Anyone who tests positive for HIV infection should consult a health care provider as soon as possible to discuss treatment.
Question: What is the test for HIV and what do the test results mean?
Answer: There are two commonly used tests for HIV. The EIA (enzyme immunoassay) or called the Antibody Screening Test is the standard screening test used to detect the presence of antibodies to HIV. The EIA should be used with a follow-up (confirmatory test) such as the Western blot or Immunofluorescent Assay (IFA) to make a positive diagnosis. Because some tests are expensive or require sophisticated equipment and specialized training, their use is limited. The results from a confirmatory test are not available for 1-2 weeks, however EIA results can be made available in 1-2 days. If the EIA is positive, confirmatory testing is completed which will take an additional 1-2 days. Generally the entire process takes 1-2 weeks.
A rapid test is a screening test for detecting antibody to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Three rapid HIV tests have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the United States. The OraQuick Rapid HIV-1 Antibody Test is used by trained personnel as a point-of-care test to aid in the diagnosis of HIV infection. The rapid test can detect antibodies to HIV in finger-stick whole blood specimens and provide results in as little as 20 minutes. The second FDA-approved rapid HIV test, the Single Use Diagnostic System for HIV-1, remains available in the United States for use with serum or plasma specimens and can produce results in 30 minutes or less. Recently the FDA approved a third rapid test for HIV called the Uni-Gold Recombigen HIV test. This is the first FDA-approved device for use with all three specimens types: plasma, serum and whole blood. The test results can be made available in 10 minutes.
Rapid tests are considered to be just as accurate as the EIA. All of the rapid tests and the EIA look for the presence of antibodies to HIV. As is true for all screening tests (including the EIA), a reactive rapid HIV test result must be confirmed before a final diagnosis of infection can be given.
Negative test results indicate no antibodies to HIV were found, which means: (1) the person is not infected, or (2) the test has been done before antibodies have been produced, or (3) antibody levels were too low to be detected. Positive test results indicate antibodies to HIV were found, which means: (1) the person has the virus, and (2) the person can transmit it to others, or has already transmitted it to others.
Question: Who should be tested?
Answer: It is very important to find information about the test from a knowledgeable health care professional or counselor. If there is a chance a person was exposed to HIV they should consider the advantages and disadvantages of testing. The sooner a person knows they have HIV infection they can take advantage of the medical treatment that can help maintain their health. For women who are considering pregnancy and have engaged in risky behaviors, it is recommended they test before becoming pregnant. It is helpful to be aware of the emotional consequences of knowing if a person's HIV antibody status. Also, if the decision is made to be tested it would be helpful to do so at a center that offers pre-test and post-test counseling. Find out if the program is anonymous or confidential.
Question: What is the difference between anonymous and confidential testing?
Answer: Anonymous testing does not require name, address, or any other identifying information. Usually you are given a number that you must present in person to obtain the test result. The only people who will know your result are those you decide to tell.
Confidential testing means the result is protected information, like other parts of your medical record. However, if you grant permission to release your medical record, be aware that your test result is included.
Question: Are there any prevention vaccines or treatments to cure AIDS?
Answer: Although there is extensive research in the prevention and treatment of AIDS there is no preventive vaccine for HIV/AIDS. There are medical treatments that can slow down the rate at which HIV weakens the immune system. Other treatments can prevent or cure some of the illnesses associated with AIDS. Most importantly, early detection offers more options for treatment and preventative care. Also, once a person is diagnosed with AIDS, they will always be considered to have AIDS, regardless of clinical changes later on. For example, if a person has HIV and a CD4 count below 200, they are considered to have AIDS. If their CD4 count later goes back to above 200, they are still considered to have AIDS.
Question: Are women at risk to be infected with HIV?
Answer: Women remain the fastest growing group to be infected with HIV. Today one out of every three people found to have HIV infection in the U.S. is a woman. Yet there are many gaps in our medical knowledge about women and HIV disease. There seem to be complex gender differences in the symptoms and the drug side effects, as well as the gynecological complications.
The number of AIDS cases among women increases steadily each year in the United States. For 2005, women represent 27% of all new AIDS diagnosis. Heterosexual contact is the leading risk exposure category for all women, and 29% of those are due to sex with an injection drug user. Injection drug use accounts for 32% of all AIDS cases. African American and Hispanic women have been disproportionately affected by AIDS. In 2005 83% of all female AIDS cases were for African American and Hispanic women.
Question: What resources are available to create HIV/AIDS prevention programs in our community?
Answer: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Prevention Information Network (NPIN) develops, identifies, and collects information on the prevention, treatment and control of HIV/AIDS and makes this information available to healthcare providers, patients, grassroots community organizations, and organizations working in prevention, research, and support services.
National Prevention Information Network
P.O. Box 6003
Rockville, Maryland 20849-6003
1-800-458-5231
Also, an extensive index of publications on HIV/AIDS prevention were developed by the CDC's National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention, Divisions of HIV/AIDS Prevention and can be accessed online from their website.
The Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention (RCAP) promotes HIV/STD prevention in rural America, with the goal of reducing HIV/STD incidence. The RCAP develops and evaluates educational materials and approaches, examines the behavioral and social barriers to HIV/STD prevention. RCAP will provide prevention resources to professionals and the public.
Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention
Indiana University
801 East Seventh St.
Bloomington, IN 47405-3085
Voice and TDD:
812-855-1718 &
800-566-8644
Fax: 812-855-3717
E-mail: aids@indiana.edu
Question: Where can a health care provider find current HIV clinical information, and individualized consultation of clinical HIV/AIDS problems including information about treating HIV-infected pregnant women?
Answer: The National HIV Telephone Consultation Service (Warmline) at 1-800-933-3413 offers physicians and other health care providers up-to-the-minute HIV clinical information, and individualized expert case consultation across the broad range of clinical HIV/AIDS problems. The Warmline is staffed by clinicians experienced in HIV care who can help provide the best possible care for HIV-positive patients.
The National Perinatal HIV Consultation and Referral Service (Perinatal Hotline) at 888/448-8765, provides free 24-hour clinical consultation and advice on treating HIV-infected pregnant women and their infants as well as indications and interpretations of rapid and standard HIV testing in pregnancy.
Question: Where can a clinician find information about occupational exposure to HIV or post-exposure treatment for HIV for health care providers?
Answer: The National Clinicians' Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Hotline (PEPline) at 1-888-448-4911 offers treating clinicians up-to-the-minute advice on managing occupational exposures (i. e., needlesticks, splashes, etc.) to HIV, hepatitis and other blood-borne pathogens. PEPline clinicians will respond to your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Clinicians will help assess the risk of the exposure, discuss the most recent post-exposure prophylaxis protocols, and review specific treatment and follow-up options. Written materials supporting the telephone discussion are sent by mail or fax whenever needed.
Question: Where can I find information about AIDS for patients, their family and friends?
Answer: The CDC-INFO hot line is available 24 hours a day and provides anonymous, confidential, HIV/AIDS information in Spanish and English, as well as a TTY Service for the Deaf. The TTY staff is trained in English, Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL).
The number for voice is: 1.800.CDC.INFO (232.4636) and the TTY number is: 1.888.232.6348. CDC also maintains an HIV/AIDS topic page with links to resources, reports, events, and news items.
Question: Where can I find information about a specific drug used for the treatment of HIV/AIDS?
Answer: Drugs Index from the WholeHealthMD, has a comprehensive list of drugs with accompanying safety and usage information.
RxList Drug Information, provides information through searches for keywords, side effects, drug interactions, drug information, drug names, pill id, imprint codes, NDC codes, medical terminology.
Question: Is there on-line consultation help for persons needing medical advice?
Answer: Yes, there are several web sites offering an "Ask-an-Expert" feature:
The Body (AIDS-specific web site)
Dr. George.com (Live online consultation; registration required; fee after 30 days.)
Johns Hopkins AIDS Service "Ask the Expert"
MDAdvice.com
Credits
Last revised 03/25/2008
