| FAQ on HIV/AIDS |
Given below are a list of 17 FAQs on HIV/AIDS - everyone must know.
| 1. Where did HIV come from? |
| No one knows this for sure. Scientists have different theories about the origin of HIV, but none has been proved so far. The earliest known case of HIV was from a blood sample collected in 1959 from a man in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (Africa). (How he became infected is not known). Genetic analysis of this blood sample suggests that HIV-1 may have stemmed from a single virus in the late 1940s or early 1950s. However it does not matter where the virus came from, the fact is that the virus is here and is affecting millions of people. So the only way to protect us is to prevent it by gaining maximum information about it. |
| 2. If a person becomes infected with HIV, does that mean he/she has AIDS? |
| No. A person can be infected with HIV for many years and yet may remain perfectly healthy. However, the virus gradually multiplies inside the body and eventually destroys the body's ability to fight off illnesses by weakening the immune system. However, this may happen after many years. A person with HIV may not know s/he is infected but can pass the virus on to other people. Not everyone with HIV infection will get AIDS. AIDS is a group of symptoms that develop during the last stages of HIV infection. A person is said to have AIDS when s/he has tested positive for HIV and displays one or more of the opportunistic infections associated with HIV like TB, continuous diarrhea etc. There are 31 opportunistic infections listed for AIDS. |
| 3. What is the meaning of safer sex? |
| Safe
sex means sexual acts in which there is no exchange of blood, seminal or
vaginal fluids. Sexual behaviors such as dry kissing, cuddling, massaging,
mutual masturbation, masturbation and body rubbing involve no penetration
(oral/anal/vaginal) or exchange of fluids and are considered safer. However,
if you have any cuts or sores on your hands make sure they are covered with
plasters (Band-Aids). Oral sex (mouth to genital contact) is safer than vaginal or anal sex as long as semen/vaginal fluid is not swallowed and there are no cuts, sores, rashes, etc. in the mouth or in or around genital area. Safer sex also means using a condom correctly and consistently. |
| 4. How can I tell if I am infected with HIV? What are the symptoms? |
| The
only way to determine whether you are infected or not is to get yourself
tested for HIV infection. You cannot rely on symptoms to know whether you
are infected with HIV. Many people who are infected with HIV do not have
any symptoms at all for many years. |
| 5. What are my chances of becoming infected with HIV/STI? |
| Your chance of becoming infected depends entirely on what behavior you adopt. You can only become infected with HIV if you engage in risky activities. Risky activities include having unprotected sex (or sex without a condom), having sex multiple partners (or sex with number of different sexual partners), sharing needles or syringes with several other drug users, transfusion of contaminated blood, indulging in sexual acts under the influence of drugs or alcohol (least likely to have safer sex when 'high'). By engaging in any of these behaviors, you increase your chances of coming into contact with someone infected with HIV/STI and transmitting the infection to you. |
| 6. How effective are condoms in preventing HIV? |
| Condoms are highly effective in preventing HIV/STI transmission when used consistently (every time) and correctly (from beginning to end). Condoms work if, and only, if YOU USE THEM CORRECTLY. Most of the times condoms fail because people are not using them correctly, or not using them every time they indulge in sexual intercourse. |
| 7. Is there a connection between HIV and other sexually transmitted infections? |
| Yes. Having a sexually transmitted infection (STI) can increase a person's risk of becoming infected with HIV, whether the STI causes open sores or breaks in the skin (e.g., syphilis, herpes, chancroid) or does not cause breaks in the skin (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea). If the STI infection causes irritation of the skin, tears or sores may make it easier for HIV to enter the body during sexual contact. Even when the STI causes no breaks or open sores, the infection can stimulate an immune response in the genital area that can make HIV transmission more likely. In addition, if an HIV-infected person is also infected with STI, that person is three to five times more likely than other HIV-infected persons to transmit HIV through sexual contact. Not having (abstaining
from) sexual intercourse is the most effective way to avoid STIs, including
HIV. For those who choose to be sexually active, the following HIV prevention
activities are highly effective: |
| 8. Could I Get HIV Infection After Only One Encounter? |
| Yes. It takes only one high-risk encounter to become infected with HIV. You can be infected after one experience of unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person. Sharing needles with an infected person a single time can transmit HIV. Do not place yourself at risk. Always take precautions. |
| 9. How long do I have to wait until I get tested? |
| You must wait 6 months after your last possible exposure to the virus (or anytime afterward), in order to get an accurate HIV antibody test. After 6 months, the tests are more than 99% accurate. If you get tested before the 6-month waiting period, you could have the infection but the test will not detect it. |
| 10. Where can I get an HIV test done? |
| HIV testing facilities (without counseling) are available in most government hospitals free of charge. However it is always recommended to go for counseling before the test in order to ascertain whether testing is required. Counseling is also needed to help you cope with a positive (or negative) test result. Most government hospitals provide these facilities at low cost or free of charge. |
| 11. What is window period? |
| The time between 3-12 weeks when antibodies against HIV infection are being formed in the body is called the "Window Period." At this time the person is already infected as well as infectious, but the blood test will not indicate the presence of antibodies. This is because in India, most HIV testing equipment tests for antibodies against the virus. In some infected people, antibodies cannot be detected for 6 months or longer, yet they are infected and infectious. |
| 12. Is HIV/AIDS a disease of homosexuals, sex workers and truck drivers? |
| No. HIV/AIDS could happen to anyone who gets involved in high-risk behavior. Since there is a stigma attached to HIV/AIDS, people tend to point fingers at certain sections of the society like sex-workers, truck drivers, and homosexuals who are marginalized and stigmatized. |
| 13. Does frequent masturbation leads to sexual inadequacy? |
| No. It is a myth. Masturbation is one of the healthiest and safest ways to sexually satisfy oneself. |
| 14. Are women at greater risk of getting infected with HIV? |
Yes. Women are more vulnerable to HIV infection for two broad reasons:
|
| 15. How can a couple use condoms if they wish to have children? |
| It is advisable for both the partners to get an HIV test done before planning a child if anyone of them feels that they have been involved in unsafe practices that might have put them to the risk of contracting HIV. If the HIV status is known before the child is planned or conceived, it would help the couple plan their child in a better way. And if the mother is HIV positive, then necessary precautions could be taken to stop the spread of HIV infection to the child. |
| 16. Should every workplace have a policy on HIV/AIDS prevention and care issues? |
| Yes, every industry, whether large or small, should have in place a policy that addresses how HIV/AIDS should be dealt with at the workplace. (Keep in mind that good policies are thoughtfully written before situations arise, not in response to them!) an urgent need is for a policy that deals with reducing the stigma and discrimination of workers who are HIV positive. The policy document must also be gender sensitive, which means that it should deal with the concerns of men and women equally. |
| 17. What should a HIV policy at the workplace include? |
|
The
policy should The most effective context for explaining company policy is workplace HIV/AIDS training. Each worker should receive a copy of the policy during the training and be encouraged to reflect on how it is consistent with the training. |
