World AIDS Day
December 1, 2006
It's been 25 years since the world was formally introduced to the AIDS epidemic. The illness has gone from being the "gay disease" to a world wide plague, killing millions of people regardless of age, race, sex, or sexual orientation. Fortunately, with the advancement in pharmaceuticals people are living longer healthier lives even after being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. But while we all know prevention is key in staying HIV negative, more and more young black women are contracting the disease. Today we spoke with Irma Bell of ACCESS, Saran Bell or YADAD, and Rose Todd or ACCES, and R&B Singer Govenor, and they provided important information, and personal stories to keep us all informed...
-
Seg 1
-
Seg 2
-
Seg 3
-
Seg 4
-
Seg 5
-
-
More than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981
-
There are an estimated 1,039,000 to 1,185,000 HIV- positive individuals living in the U.S.
-
There are approximately 40,000 new infections occurring every year in the U.S.
-
African Americans account for more
AIDS diagnoses, people estimated to be living with AIDS, and
HIV-related deaths than any other racial/ethnic group in the
U.S.
-
African American women account for the far majority of new AIDS
cases among women (67% in 2004); white women account for
17% and Latinas 15%.
-
AIDS was the 3rd leading cause of death for African Americans,
ages 25–34, in 2002 compared to the 6th leading cause of death
for whites and Latinos in this age group.
-
AIDS is the #1 cause of death for African
American women ages 25–34 in 2002.
-
African American teens (ages 13–19) accounted for 66% of new AIDS
cases reported among teens in 2003.
What You Can Do Today
Join YADAD (Youth Against Drugs and Disease) as the continue for their Celebration of Life at Christopher Newport University. The program fetaures several events, including free HIV/AIDS testing, Education Awareness, Poetry and various other entertainment. There will also be door prizes!
Contact Saran Bell-Day if you have questions about this weekend's events, or you need helpful info on HIV/AIDS or other STD information. Her number is 757-822-0198
You can also email Saran at yadad06@gmail.com
In partnership with local HIV/AIDS service organizations, EVMS/Virginia HIV/AIDS Resource & Consultation Center unite for a weekend of celebration and remembrance, to help fight the battle against HIV/AIDS in Hampton Roads. This year’s event will be held over three days beginning Friday, December 1, 2006. The goal of the event is to raise awareness about the current state of HIV/AIDS in our communities.
This year’s theme, “A CELEBRATION OF LIFE, LIVE TO LEARN, LEARN TO LIVE,” kicks off on Friday, December 1st with local agencies holding open houses at their respective locales. The day is concluded with a special dinner, honoring people living with HIV/AIDS and community supporters.
A “CELEBRATION OF LIFE” continues on Saturday, December 2nd with two AIDS Walks, both to begin at 10:00am. One walk will begin at ODU. The second walk begins at NSU. Both walks conclude at EVMS, Smith Hall at 358 Mowbray Arch at 12:00pm. The festivities will continue after the walks with free HIV testing, motivational speakers, refreshments, and informational booths for the public and the walks participants.
A “CELEBRATION OF LIFE” will wrap up on Sunday, December 3rd with a non-denominational service at 3:00pm. The service will be held at Lewis Hall’s McCombs Auditorium on the campus of EVMS. Clergy from various churches will be speaking and local choirs will be performing.
Please come and show your support by joining our walk and/or attending the non-denominational service. For more information, or to contribute, please contact the Virginia HIV/AIDS Resource Center at 757.446.6170.
Things you wanted to know about HIV/AIDS but were afraid to ask:
Can someone get HIV through oral sex?
Yes
If someone is performing oral sex on his/her partner, there is a risk of infection. Pre-cum, semen, and vaginal secretions can all contain HIV. These fluids can enter the individual's mouth and infect him/her. This can occur with or without the presence of any open sores, cuts, or abrasions in the mouth. Although the risk through oral sex is believed to be less than vaginal or anal intercourse, the risk is present and transmission can occur.
If you can test someone for HIV by using oral fluid, does that mean someone can contract HIV through saliva?
No.
The amount of HIV in saliva is very low if it is present at all. When an oral HIV test is conducted, the test is searching for the presence of HIV antibodies, not HIV itself, in a substance called “oral mucosal transudate” which lines the gums. The test is not collecting a saliva sample. Saliva poses a risk for HIV infection only when blood is present.
Is using two condoms, at the same time, better then using just one?
No
Using two condoms, at the same time, is not recommended due to the possibility of friction developing between the two condoms as a result of each rubbing against the other. This may result in one or both of the condoms breaking.
Where did HIV originate from?
For many years scientists theorized as to the origins of HIV and how it appeared in the human population. Over the years, many theories have been postulated including the theory that HIV may have been man-made. While this theory has never been proven, it continues to be a pervasive yet controversial belief among many. The most supported theory is the belief that HIV originated in other primates. In 1999, a team of researchers reported that they had discovered the origins of HIV. A species of chimpanzees native to western Africa had been identified as the original source of the virus. These researchers believe that HIV was introduced into the human population when individuals became exposed to the infected blood of the chimpanzees.
How long can HIV survive outside the body?
It is hard to determine exactly how long HIV can survive outside the body due to many variables. The amount of HIV-infected fluid, the room temperature, and other conditions may contribute to this time period. HIV, however, does not survive well outside the body. Drying of HIV-infected blood and/or other body fluids reduces the risk of environmental transmission to essentially zero.
What is the difference between confidential and anonymous testing?
Confidential Testing means test results will have the individual’s name on it. By law, all positive HIV test results must be reported to the local Health Department and the Virginia Department of Health. Identifying information is not public information and violations of confidentiality are punishable by law. Other than the legal requirement to report positive test results to health officials, confidential results cannot be released to anyone without the client's permission.
Anonymous Testing means that only the test number identifies the client and that the client's name will not appear on the test results. Clinic staff will not ask for a client's identifying information, such as name, address, or telephone number. If a client tests positive for HIV through an anonymous test, he/she may be encouraged to be retested confidentially so that the client has "proof of status." This proof of status is an eligibility requirement for primary medical care at many medical providers.
Is a rapid HIV test as accurate as a test where it takes two weeks to get the results back?
In most cases the EIA (enzyme immunoassay), performed on blood drawn from a vein, is the standard screening test used to detect the presence of antibodies to HIV. A reactive EIA must be used with a follow-up confirmatory test such as the Western blot to make a positive diagnosis. A rapid test is a screening test that produces very quick results, in approximately 20 minutes. Rapid tests use blood or oral fluid to look for the presence of antibodies to HIV and these tests have similar accuracy rates as traditional EIA screening tests. As is true for all screening tests, however, a reactive rapid HIV test result should be confirmed with a follow-up two week test before a final diagnosis of infection can be made. Studies have shown that the rapid HIV test (OraQuick) correctly identified 99.6% of people who were infected with.
How soon after being exposed should I be tested for HIV?
It can take some time for the immune system to produce enough HIV antibodies for an HIV test to detect, and this time period can vary from person to person. This time period is known as the “window period”. Most people will develop detectable antibodies within 3 months (the average is 25 days). Even so, there is a chance that some individuals will take longer to develop detectable antibodies. In some cases, it can take up to 6 months to for the HIV antibodies to be detected. (Q&A provided by accessaids.org)
How you can help
ACCESS (AIDS Care Center for Education and Support) is a great organization that helps people with HIV/AIDS and their families. Their mission is to provide greater access to comprehensive HIV support services for everyone living with, or affected by HIV and AIDS. If you would like to voulenteer your time and help people in your community, or if your are looking for support in managing a diagnosis with HIV/AIDS, check out their webite at
www.accessaids.org. You can call Irma Hinkle at 757-640-0929.
© 2008