HIV/AIDS Awareness Month:

Every December is dedicated to HIV/AIDS awareness, with December 1 recognized as World AIDS Day.

What is HIV/AIDS? 

HIV is a complex viral infection that slowly attacks the immune system, weakens the body’s defense and can be dangerous or life threatening if left untreated. 

To better understand HIV and AIDS, it’s important to know key terms related to how the virus affects the immune system and how its progression is monitored.

• AIDS: Acquired immunodeficiency virus syndrome is the final stage of an untreated HIV infection in which patients are vulnerable to other fatal infections due to the drastic loss in CD4 cells.
• CD4 cell count: CD4 cells are infection-fighting cells within the immune system. A blood test can determine the number of healthy CD4 cells in a person’s blood. 
• Viral load: The amount of virus in a sample of a person’s blood. Viral load can increase without medication 
• Undetectable load: There is so little virus in the blood that a lab test cannot measure it, and the virus cannot be passed to others.

Know The Risks

Many people mistakenly believe that HIV and AIDS are the same thing. 

HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system and weakens it by destroying and lessening the count of CD4 cells, making it harder to fight off other diseases. There is no cure but if HIV goes untreated through daily medication, it can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the most advanced stage of the infection.

HIV can go undetected in a person’s body for up to six months therefore, a person may be unaware of their status and thus not experience symptoms. 

On the other hand, some others may experience flu-like symptoms including fever, headache, rash, and sore throat. As the infection progresses some symptoms that may occur are swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, fever, and diarrhea. 

If continued to be left untreated, people living with HIV infection can become susceptible to severe illnesses such as tuberculosis, bacterial infections and even cancers due to a severely weakened immune system.

HIV Fast Facts 

• HIV can be transmitted through blood, semen, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.
• There is a high rate of HIV infection among people who inject drugs due to sharing needles or syringes.
• Most people without HIV have a CD4 cell count of about 500-1600 cells per cubic millimeter of blood while a person with AIDS would likely have a CD4 count lower than 200 cells per cubic millimeter.
• People living with HIV can still have healthy lives and relationships.
• HIV does NOT always progress to AIDS.
• HIV can affect anyone regardless of their identity or sexual orientation.
• HIV cannot be spread through touch, sweat, tears, saliva, or air.
• When taken as prescribed, HIV treatments help lower the amount of HIV in the body to an undetectable load.

How to Protect Yourselves and Others 

Being educated about the risks of HIV and educating others is an underrated way to protect yourself, along with getting tested for STDs and HIV and encouraging partners to get tested also. 

It is important to avoid sharing needles and be sure to use condoms (internal or external) correctly every time you have sex to prevent HIV, STDs and unplanned pregnancy. 

PrEP is available as an HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis medication that is recommended for anyone who may be at higher risk for contracting HIV.

Education and awareness are key. The more that you know, the more you can share with others.  Discuss with your doctor or a medical professional to review your health and medical history, request a physical exam and conduct lab tests. 

For more information and resources, find a healthcare provider near you!