Teen Support Chat (/hiv_aids_luke

Q's & A's of HIV / AIDS

People are fine with telling us that HIV/AIDS is caught through sex, sharing needles, and so forth. But do you really know what it is? Well I'm going to clarify it for you.

Infection, how is it caught?

HIV is found in the blood (including menstrual blood), semen, vaginal fluid and breast milk of an HIV positive person.

There are a variety of ways you can become infected.

Through unprotected vaginal or anal sex;

Through unprotected oral sex, however this is less common;

Sharing injecting equipment and needles; and,

From blood products in countries that don't screen for HIV (all blood products in Australia are screened, so this is very low risk.)

What the disease is, what does it do?

When someone is infected with HIV, the virus affects the immune system in his or her body. The immune system is the body's defence against illness. Sometimes there are signs similar to the flu up to 3 weeks after becoming infected.

So, what is safe?

Shaking hands, sharing a cup, using a toilet seat, through saliva or swimming in the same swimming pool cannot spread HIV.

Infection.

You can live with HIV for a very long time, it's when HIV becomes AIDS is when you will get really sick. With today's technology you would be able to enjoy life with HIV/AIDS a lot more then what you would have been able to 20 yrs ago when the disease was first realised to exist.

I've just been tested and it came back positive what do I do now?

First off, your doctor should discuss with you what being HIV positive means. Next you should contact your nearest AIDS Council or organisation for People Living With HIV/AIDS. They should be able to supply you with up to date information to read.

Who you decide to tell is up to you. Some people living with HIV or AIDS still experience discrimination. You may decide to tell your sex partner or you may just decide to insist of using a condom for sex. Speak to someone who is HIV positive and ask his or her advice. You may decide that it is OK to tell you parents or close friends. The decision remains yours to make.

You can live with HIV for a very long time without becoming ill. Sometimes quite soon, sometimes years after infection, people start to get illnesses. Their immune system can become so weak that it can no longer fight even common illnesses. When people get really sick from HIV, the illness is called AIDS that is Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Medical treatments can help people to fight off HIV infection.

What are some of the treatments available?

Treatments always depend on the person, so to list some would be stupid because I don't know who you are. So, for more information on treatments try using the links below.

Ok I understand that I have HIV/AIDS, but I'm still depressed. What will help me?

There are so many places for you to get help, such as #TSC for example. If you are an adult we also do supply a chat room #ASC, on our server.
If you need additional assistance, contact your local People Living With HIV/AIDS organization or your local AIDS Council. Ask about counselling or peer education groups for people living with HIV.

A friend of mine has HIV/AIDS, how do I treat them?

I want to have a child through AI (artificial insemination) is this a HIV/AIDS risk?

No. You can have an AI without having to worry; the semen is tested before it is available.

What if you want to have children with HIV/AIDS?

I want to have a child but my partners history with sexual relations scares me into think they may have HIV/AIDS.
What do I do?

I work in a hospital, is there a chance I may get HIV/AIDS?

Accidental needle stick injury is a possibility, although there is a treatment option called PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) that is available from the Emergency department in all major hospitals. This treatment is also available if you think you have had sex with an infected person. It is important to note, that you must seek treatment within 72 hours of exposure to the virus.

Where can I get more information?

Conclusion.

Getting HIV isn't the end of the world; with today's technology they can treat HIV to the point in which you cannot pass it on. Some people believe they have found cures none proven yet.
There is one cure though for both HIV/AIDS but it is an impossibility to do. You'd have to drain blood from your system, and put some new blood back in, with little time. Of course maybe one day with that piece of knowledge they may find a way of doing that. But for now, there is nothing to "cure" it. So, take note of this article, and prevent yourself from getting it.

If you have anymore questions relating to this article feel free to send the author an email at… luke14@tscnow.com

Prepared with assistance from Tex McKenzie, Health Educator, Victorian AIDS Council, Melbourne, Australia.