HIV/AIDS
Before you worry
HIV and AIDs used to be scary terms that usually came with severe outcomes, however today HIV and AIDs are both manageable conditions that should not be feared.
What is it exactly?
HIV, short for human immunodeficiency virus, is a sexually transmitted disease that attacks your immune system and makes it difficult for the body to fight off infection.
It can also spread by contact from blood, such as...
- sharing needles
- blood transfusions
- from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding
It is not possible to get HIV from...
- hugging
- kissing
- dancing
- shaking hands
- coughing
If HIV goes untreated and the immune system becomes severly damaged, it can progress to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) which is a chronic, life-threatening condition. However, usually today HIV will be treated before it progresses to AIDs.
Who is more at risk?
Generally, those who are at higher risk of getting HIV include men who have sex with men, Black African heterosexuals having sex, and people who share needles or other devices in which there is blood contact.
Risky behavior that can increase your risk of being diagnosed with HIV might include having sex without a condom, having an STD, or using IV drugs as all of these things expose you to a higher chance of having blood to blood contact with another person.
I think I was exposed, now what?
There is a treatment you can take after you've had contact with someone who has HIV to avoid getting HIV yourself. This treatment is called PEP for short which stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. PEP is a 28 day treatment and can come with side effects, however taking this within the first 72 hours of contact can greatly increase your chance of not getting HIV.
Treatment
While there is no cure for HIV/AIDS there are effective drugs that can slow the progression of the condition and allow people to live a normal life.
Before you worry
HIV and AIDs used to be scary terms that usually came with severe outcomes, however today HIV and AIDs are both manageable conditions that should not be feared.
What is it exactly?
HIV, short for human immunodeficiency virus, is a sexually transmitted disease that attacks your immune system and makes it difficult for the body to fight off infection.
It can also spread by contact from blood, such as...
- sharing needles
- blood transfusions
- from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding
It is not possible to get HIV from...
- hugging
- kissing
- dancing
- shaking hands
- coughing
If HIV goes untreated and the immune system becomes severly damaged, it can progress to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) which is a chronic, life-threatening condition. However, usually today HIV will be treated before it progresses to AIDs.
Who is more at risk?
Generally, those who are at higher risk of getting HIV include men who have sex with men, Black African heterosexuals having sex, and people who share needles or other devices in which there is blood contact.
Risky behavior that can increase your risk of being diagnosed with HIV might include having sex without a condom, having an STD, or using IV drugs as all of these things expose you to a higher chance of having blood to blood contact with another person.
I think I was exposed, now what?
There is a treatment you can take after you've had contact with someone who has HIV to avoid getting HIV yourself. This treatment is called PEP for short which stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. PEP is a 28 day treatment and can come with side effects, however taking this within the first 72 hours of contact can greatly increase your chance of not getting HIV.
Treatment
While there is no cure for HIV/AIDS there are effective drugs that can slow the progression of the condition and allow people to live a normal life.
Symptom list:
HIV/AIDS
Financial support
Not all of us are able to afford the treatment we need. Search your insurance coverage, or check out what charities may be able to offer you for your condition.
p.s. Just because you have insurance, that doesn't mean that charities or other organizations are not able to support you too.
Emotional support
Whether it's a free counseling session or to find someone with a similar diagnosis, these Germie approved charities might be able to help. Click to explore their offerings!
