What is HIV infection?

HIV infection means that person has been infected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).  HIV damages the body's immune system, the system that fights infections.  Without the immune system's protection, the body is defenseless against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases that can lead to the development of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), the later stage of HIV infection.

How is HIV transmitted?

HIV is transmitted through contact with blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk of an infected individual.  HIV is spread by sexual contact with an infected person and by sharing needles or syringes with someone who is infected.  Very rarely HIV is transmitted through transfusions of infected blood or blood clotting factors.  Babies born to HIV-infected women may become infected before or during birth or through breastfeeding after birth. 

Where can a person get tested for HIV and how much does it cost?

The Division of Public Health Services funds STD/HIV Counseling and Testing Clinics around the state.  Though a small fee is requested, no one is turned away due to inability to pay.  Clients receive confidential counseling, personalized education, low to no-cost HIV testing and referrals for medical and supportive services.  Client confidentiality is assured at every Counseling and Testing site.

Who should be tested for HIV?

• Men who have unprotected (without a condom) sex with other men.
• Persons who share needles or piercing equipment.
• Persons who had several sex partners.
• Persons who had any sexually transmitted disease (STD).
• Persons who had unprotected sex with any person described above.
• Persons who had unprotected sex with a person infected with HIV.
• All pregnant women as well as infants born to HIV-infected mothers.
• Persons who were exposed to another person's blood, semen, vaginal secretions or breast milk of someone who may be HIV infected.

What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.  HIV can be diagnosed using a laboratory test for antibodies. AIDS occurs when a person's immune system is reduced. AIDS is a later stage of HIV infection that is only diagnosed by a health care provider who can do additional laboratory tests and assess an individual's health.

How can the spread of HIV be prevented?

The only sure way to avoid becoming infected or infecting others with HIV is to not have sex and to not share needles (abstain from all high risk behaviors).  If you choose to have sex or share needles for injection drugs, the following actions may reduce the risk of HIV infection.

• Persons who are sexually active can:

1. Limit the number of partners and avoid sex with people whose sexual history is unknown.
2. Use condoms properly from start to finish when having sex (anal, vaginal, and/or oral).

• Persons who inject drugs can:
  1. Not share needles or works with others.
  2. Use only clean needles and works.
  3. Purchase new sterile needles from pharmacies.

• Pregnant women who are infected with HIV can greatly reduce the risk of passing on HIV to their unborn child if they take specific HIV medications.

In addition to the Counseling and Testing Clinics, the HIV Prevention Program and its community partners provide the following services:

Prevention Education and Risk Reduction:  These services target individuals and communities at risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV disease.  Examples of target individuals include persons living with HIV and their partners, injection drug users, men who have sex with men, at-risk communities of color, and incarcerated individuals.  Prevention education focuses on maintaining and sustaining positive health behaviors.

Partner Counseling and Referral Services (PCRS):  These services offer assistance to notify sex or needle-sharing partners of persons reported with HIV/AIDS infection.  Health Department staff notify partners of possible risk exposures without disclosing the identity of the infected partner.  PCRS provides access to a variety of services such as free voluntary and confidential counseling and referrals for medical care and support services for clients with HIV.