Request an Appointment

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that can cause acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Infection with HIV weakens the body's ability to fight disease.

How is HIV/AIDS transmitted?

HIV is spread in blood, semen and vaginal fluids. The disease is spread by vaginal, anal and oral sexual contact; by sharing contaminated needles for injecting intravenous drugs or tattoos; by the transfusion of contaminated blood products; from a mother to her fetus during pregnancy and through breast feeding.

Symptoms:

• Thick, whitish coating of the tongue or mouth which is called thrush
• Unexplained, extreme fatigue
• Rapid weight loss
• Bruising easily
• Long-lasting occurrences of diarrhea
• Fever and night sweats
• Swelling or hardening of glands located in throat, groin or armpit
• Periods of deep, dry coughing not caused by illness or smoking
• Shortness of breath
• Discolored or purplish growths of skin or inside mouth
• Severe numbness or pain in hands and feet
• Loss of motor control and reflex
• Altered state of consciousness, personality change or mental deterioration

When will you notice symptoms?

A person infected with HIV may not have any symptoms for 10 years or more, but, if tested, would be found to be HIV positive. During this asymptomatic time a person may infect others with HIV. It is not known if everyone who carries HIV will develop AIDS. But AIDS-related symptoms usually develop in 70-80% of adults and fully-developed AIDS is seen in 55-62% of adults who have tested positive.

Diagnosis and treatment:

The most common test for the HIV virus and the AIDS condition it causes is a test which looks for anti-bodies to the HIV virus in human blood. This test will not determine if the infection will develop into AIDS. There are other tests which have been found to be somewhat helpful in determining how far the disease has advanced.

There is also no cure for AIDS at present. There are, however, several federally approved treatments for persons with AIDS. While the treatments will not cure the disease they may lengthen the life expectancy of some individuals. Knowing how far advanced the HIV infection is, is important because there are some treatments which may be effective in strengthening your immune system's ability to fight other, potentially life-threatening diseases.

Is HIV/AIDS dangerous?

HIV infections that develop into AIDS most often result in serious illness and death.

How can you avoid getting and spreading HIV?

To avoid getting or spreading HIV/AIDS:

• Abstain from vaginal, oral and anal sexual contact, OR: Always use a latex condom.
• Seek information about other safer sex practices
• Do not share needles
• Share information, both printed and verbal, with your partner(s)
• Be tested for the HIV-virus if you have had unprotected sex with multiple partners or shared needles when injecting drugs
• If you are infected with HIV, inform your sexual partner(s)
• Seek medical advise, evaluation and screening if symptoms are present
• Use caution when handling blood and other human body fluids