by Shannon Armstead, RN

Knowing is half the battle when it comes to knowing your HIV status. If you’re asking yourself, why do I need to know? The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimated in December 2004, 944,306 persons were diagnosed with AIDS and 56% of that number died from the disease.  HIV/AIDS has become the leading cause of deaths among African Americans.

The CDC also reports in 2002, HIV/AIDS was the number one cause of deaths for African Americans between the ages of 25-44. These statistics were reported from the CDC in 2004. HIV/AIDS is one of the biggest problem in our community today. The key to prevention is to educate our community. There is no cure for HIV/AIDS.

Before I discuss what we can do to help stop the spread of the disease, what is HIV/AIDS?

HIV is an acronym for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV is an infection that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). AIDS means there is a weakened immune system and as a result, the person is vulnerable to certain infections, cancers and a decrease in the number of cells that help fight infection in the person’s immune system. Our immune system is what keeps us healthy.  The HIV virus may be passed from person to person when the infected person’s blood, semen, and/or vaginal secretions come in contact with an uninfected person’s mucous membranes (i.e., mouth, eyes, nose, vagina, rectum, opening of the penis and/or broken skin).

An infected pregnant woman can pass HIV to her baby during pregnancy, delivery and/or breastfeeding. According to the CDC, some people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection.

How do we prevent HIV/AIDS in our community?

First, we must understand and discard any false ideas of HIV/AIDS as being a disease that only affects homosexuals and drug users. HIV/AIDS has no boundaries and it can affect YOU! Getting tested and knowing your status is the key to preventing HIV infections.

We can prevent HIV/AIDS by abstaining from sexual intercourse including oral, vaginal and/or anal sex, being in a monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner, using lubricated latex condoms for all sexual activities and by not sharing needles, syringes and other drug items. Everyone should get tested for other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as well. 

The CDC reports having an STD like gonorrhea, syphilis or chlamydia, increases your chances by two to five times of contracting the HIV virus from an infected person. If you choose to have sexual intercourse with a person whose HIV status is unknown, a new condom should be used for each time there is an act of insertive sexual intercourse reports the CDC.

As African Americans we can talk to someone who knows about HIV/AIDS.  To help prevent HIV/AIDS in our community, we can also do the following:

            · Talk about HIV/AIDS and other STDs with your partner before having sex

            · Learn as much about a partner’s past sexual and drug history

            · Use a lubricated latex condom each time you have sexual intercourse

            · If you have an STD, get tested. Your risk of getting HIV has increased.

            · Do not use street drugs. HIV can be passed through needles, syringes and

               other drug items if contaminated with an infected person’s blood.

            · If you are a drug user, get counseling and possible treatment, use clean

               needles, syringes and other drug items as well as never sharing.

            · Get tested for HIV once a year

            · If your drinking alcohol and/or using drugs, abstain from sex because these

               drugs can increase your odds of getting an STD with risky behaviors.

· The only absolute prevention is abstain from sex

There are many places to get free and confidential HIV testing.  HIV tests are  done in your local clinics, doctor’s office, hospitals, health departments and facilities set up specifically for HIV testing. To find a testing site in your local area, you can contact the National HIV Testing Resources website at http://www.hivtest.org or if you would like more information or have personal questions, call 1-800-CDC-INFO 24 hours a day..  This article is by no means comprehensive regarding to HIV/AIDS, for more information regarding HIV/AIDS, talk to your doctor, nurse, counselor and/or other persons trained in HIV/AIDS prevention.

You can contact Shannon at SArmstead@b-now.com