HIV treatment
has changed and improved the lives of infected
people since the original description in 1981
BUT there are important facts to consider:
v HIV
remains a critical health issue.
v
Springfield’s HIV incidence is three times higher
than other Massachusetts cities.
v HIV is
transmitted either sexually or by blood-blood
contact, i.e. oral (gingival/tooth junction) and
anal/rectal areas.
v 34% of
the new infections are among young people under 30.
This increase in adolescents between the ages of
13-29 is a life sentence!
v
Male-to-male sexual contacts account for (45%-53%)
MSM (unprotected receptive anal intercourse) http://www.cdc.gov.
v There
is no data for bisexual men but there is the
possibility of them infecting their female sexual
partners.
v
Heterosexual adults and IDU (i.v. drug routes)
accounted for 45% of new HIV infections in 2006.
v 50% of
recently diagnosed HIV positive individuals are
non-white!!
v
Heterosexual transmission was most common among
women. 83% of the women recently diagnosed are
non-white.
v The CDC
(Center for Disease Control) feels individuals
unaware of their HIV status account for over
one-half of all new infections. Everyone who is
sexually active in the U.S., ages 13-64, regardless
of perceived risk, SHOULD be tested for HIV.
v 40-90%
of exposed persons may experience symptoms or
lymphadnopathy (nodes of neck or arms, etc.) which
are often not recognized by the person or the
primary care clinician because the symptoms may
resemble those of an URI, influenza, infectious
mononucleosis and other viral infections. Most
people would purposely attribute these symptoms to
one of the infections previously listed rather than
CONSIDER the possibility that they may have been due
to the HIV virus.
v
Infected HIV patients have years of life to gain if
treatment is initiated early, preferably before
experiencing overt symptoms, such as fatigue,
weakness or weight loss.
v HIV
screening is particularly recommended for:
n Illicit
intravenous drugs users
n
Men who have sex
with men
n
Bisexual men and others in
high-risk behaviors
v There
is a rapid HIV test that has a 99% sensitivity
technically available in one hour
(4-10
weeks after exposure).
v The
longevity of HIV patients has been extended due to
the effectiveness of the antiretroviral medications.
One pill a day is an option in those HIV patients
who do not have resistant strain viruses.
v “The
mean incubation period for the development of AIDS
is 10 years or longer.” (Martin S. Hirsch, N. Eng.
J. Med. 1993; 328:1686-95)
v “At
this time, eradication of HIV is impossible. Rebound
inevitably follows cessation of therapy, and therapy
must therefore be lifetime.” (Hirschel & Calmy.
N.Eng. J.Med. May 15, 2008)
HOW TO
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM HIV INFECTION
l
ABSTINENCE
l SEX
WITH ONLY ONE, MUTUALLY MONOGAMOUS, uninfected
partner
l SAFE
SEXUAL PRACTICES
l Only
sterile needle punctures of any type (i.e. tattoos,
ear lobe)
l AVOID
ILLICIT DRUGS, nitrate inhalant USAGE and
particularly “communal usage,” an exceedingly
favorable route for HIV, Hepatitis viruses and
multiple types of devastating bacteria.
INTEGRATED
CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELING, TESTING and REFERRAL SITES
Springfield
Health & Human Services 750-2720 or 1-800-235-2331
Mason Square
Neighborhood
Health
Center—794-8723
Brightwood
Health Center 794-9725
(Additional
references are too numerous to list, including
authorities who actively manage HIV patients who
contributed to this article. Dr. Sheffield)