FAQ'S
What is AIDS?
What Causes AIDS?
What is HIV?
What happens when HIV gets into a person's body?
How is HIV spread from one person to another?
How can I tell if I'm infected with HIV?
Where can I get tested in the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania?
What are some misconceptions about how HIV is spread?
What are some of the early symptoms of HIV infection?
Is there a cure for AIDS?
How can I protect myself from HIV?
What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency S syndrome. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome is a condition in which the bodies immune system becomes so deficient, or damaged, that it can no longer defend the body against microorganisms that can cause disease. People with AIDS die of illnesses that normally do not threaten people whose immune systems are complete and strong.
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What causes AIDS?
AIDS is caused by a virus called HIV or h human immunodeficiency virus.
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What is HIV?
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. This virus has the ability to enter certain cells of the immune system, called T-Cells, and destroys them. As the HIV virus destroys more T-Cells the number of T-Cells drop and the number of virus cells increase. The lack of T-Cells causes the human immune system to weaken, making it easier for common illnesses to affect those infected. Microorganisms that don't normally hurt healthy people can cause serious, life-threatening diseases in people with HIV.
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What happens when HIV gets into a person's body?
HIV, like most viruses, enters and remains in the bloodstream until it recognizes the certain kind of cells it can enter. Normally, your body uses white blood cells to protect the body from infection. The primary types of white blood cells are lymphocytes (also called T cells and B cells), which identify substances as foreign and build defenses called antibodies against them, and phagocytes which surround and destroy the invading microorganisms.
HIV enters a special lymphocyte called a CD4 cell, which normally directs other cells to find and destroy foreign substances like viruses. HIV recognizes the CD4 cell, enters the cell and uses it to replicate itself. When the cell is full of new viruses it bursts, releasing the new viruses into the bloodstream to find new CD4 cells to invade. The original cell usually dies. As CD4 cells are destroyed, the immune system is seriously damaged, other microorganisms that don't normally hurt healthy people can cause serious, life-threatening diseases in people with HIV.
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How is HIV spread from one person to another?
HIV gets into the body by means of an infected persons body fluids - mainly blood, seamen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. HIV infection is spread through unprotected recreational sex, be it vaginal, oral, or anal. HIV is also spread by sharing needles or syringes to inject drugs, most commonly Heroine and Steroids. The virus can also be spread by sharing needles for body piercing, tattooing, or any other reason.
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How can I tell if I'm infected with HIV?
People don't realize that they have been infected with HIV because they may not notice any initial symptoms, or they may simply think they have the flu. The ONLY way doctors can tell if a person is infected is by testing his or her blood for the presence of HIV antibodies.
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Where can I get tested in the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania?
For information on where to get tested refer to our testing sites page.
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What are some misconceptions about how HIV is spread?
HIV is NOT spread through:
- holding hands, hugging, touching, talking, playing
- kissing someone on the cheek or lips
- being exposed to coughs or sneezes
- sharing food or drinking out of the same glass or soda can
- eating in a restaurant, being in a crowd, attending school
- sharing towels, washcloths, or napkins
- using public telephones, toilets, swimming pools, hot tubs, or showers
- being stung by an insect or bitten by an animal
- touching someone tears, sweat, or saliva
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What are some of the early symptoms of HIV infection?
Some of the symptoms that can indicate possible HIV infection are
- frequent or long-term diarrhea with no apparent cause
- swollen glands in several parts of the body for no known reason
- rapid weight loss of ten or more pounds that is not the result of dieting
- high fevers (103 degrees or more) than last more than five days
- sores of infections that do not go away after medical treatment
- unexplained fatigue or weakness that lasts for weeks or months
- repeated and frequent cold or flue-like symptoms that last for days
- a cough that brings up fluid from the lungs and lasts for several weeks
- a recurrent or long-lasting white coating in the mouth
- prolonged night sweats with no apparent cause
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Is there a cure for AIDS?
No, but there are drugs that do three basic things: (1) slow down the replication of HIV, (2) help to rebuild the damaged immune system, and (3) treat or prevent opportunistic infections and AIDS-related cancers.
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How can I protect myself from HIV?
If you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex, always use a latex condom.
- Make sure the condom box says "latex."
- Follow the directions on the box.
- Use a new latex condom each time you have sex.
- Put the condom on as soon as the penis is hard
- Use a water-based lubricant with the condom for vaginal and anal sex.
- Never use petroleum jelly, hand cream, or any oil with the condom. They can make the condom break
- Hold the condom firmly by the rim and withdraw right after "coming."
Not having sex is safest. There is no sure way to avoid passing the virus during sex. But using a condom properly helps protect you and your partner.
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