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WHAT IS AIDS ?

It’s the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome – a serious illness that harms the body’s ability to fight infection.

A PERSON WITH AIDS is more likely to get certain infections and cancers that are usually mild or rare in healthy people.

WHY SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AIDS ?

Because your knowledge is the key to separating the Facts from the fiction about this illness.

YOU CAN HELP STOP THE EPIDEMIC OF FEAR.

Not knowing the facts about AIDS has caused needless panic.

BY LEARNING ABOUT AIDS, you can help dispel any myths you may hear- and reduce your chances of getting or giving the illness.

WHAT CAUSES AIDS ?

A virus called HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).

RESEARCHERS HAVE LEARNED A LOT about HIV.

• They know that HIV changes the genetic structure of the cell it attacks.

• They can produce HIV in the lab, so that they can study it more closely.

• They have also developed a test used to screen all donated blood.

IF YOU HAVE ANY REASON TO THINK YOU’VE BEEN EXPOSED TO HIV, consult your physician or state or local health department. They can arrange for blood tests – the earlier HIV is detected, the sooner treatment can begin.

Don’t donate blood in order to be tested.

Research is now focused on developing treatments and a vaccine for AIDS.

How is hiv passed from one person to another?

Research shows that HIV is spread mainly:

• THROUGH SEXUAL INTERCOURSE with an infected person

• BY SHARING A HYPODERMIC NEEDLE or syringe with an HIV-infected person

• FROM AN INFECTED MOTHER TO HER BABY before, during or after birth (through breast-feeding).

HIV may also be spread through blood or blood products. But, this is very unlikely now because:

• all donors are carefully screened

• all donors’ blood and blood products are tested before being used.

PEOPLE INFECTED WITH HIV MAY LOOK HEALTHY !

• A person with HIV-infected person can infect others without even knowing it!

HOW HIV IS NOT SPREAD

Current research shows that HIV is not spread through the air or through nonsexual, everyday activities, such as:

*SITTING NEXT TO SOMEONE at work, at school, on a bus, or elsewhere

* SHAKING HANDS, touching, hugging, or from a social kiss

*EATING IN A RESTAURANT or cafeteria

* SHARING FOOD, plates, cups, or utensils.

* USING RESTROOMS, water coolers, or telephones

* SWIMMING in a pool or using a hot tub

* DONATING BLOOD

* BEING BITTEN by mosquitoes or any other insect.

ANYONE CAN GET AIDS

So far, most AIDS cases have occurred among:

• HOMOSEXUAL AND BISEXUAL MEN

who contracted HIV through sexual activity.

• Intravenous drug abusers

who contracted HIV by sharing contaminated needles.

• HETEROSEXUALS

who have been sexual partners of persons infected with HIV.

• HEMOPHILIACS AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS

who apparently contracted HIV through the use of donated blood or blood products.

• CHILDREN

who contracted HIV from an infected mother.

Your risk of getting AIDS depends on what you do – not who you are.

EFFECTS ON THE BODY

DURING THE INCUBATION PERIOD, which may last for many years, there may be no signs that a person is infected with HIV. However, the person can still pass the virus on to others!

AS THE INFECTION PROGRESSES, people may notice severe and lasting symptoms, including:

• swollen lymph glands in the neck, underarm or groin area

• recurrent fever, including “night sweats”

• rapid weight loss for no apparent reason

• constant tiredness

• diarrhea and decreased appetite

• white spots or unusual blemishes in the mouth.

If you have any of these symptoms for more than a week, see a physician.

MOST PEOPLE INFECTED WITH HIV

go on to develop AIDS. Their immune system becomes severely weakened, turning normally mild or rare diseases into potentially fatal conditions. One common illness of this type is:

PNEUMOCYCTIS CARINII, PNEUMONIA

• an infection of the lungs. It’s highly uncommon among healthy individuals.

HIV MAY ALSO ATTACK THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, causing damage to the brain and spinal cord. Signs of damage may include:

• confusion

• forgetfulness

• indifference

• inability to make decisions

• some paralysis

• problems with coordination

YOU CAN TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF

from infection with HIV and from AIDS. Here’s how:

DON’T “SHOOT” DRUGS OF ANY KIND. If you do use IV (intravenous) drugs, don’t share needles or syringes. Get help – go to a drug or health clinic, or call the National Institute of Drug Abuse hotline:

HAVE SEX ONLY WITH A FAITHFUL PARTNER who’s not infected and who has never used IV drugs. Besides not having sex, this is the surest way to avoid infection with HIV.

USE A LATEX CONDOM if you decide to have sex with anyone other than a faithful partner who’s not infected and who has never used IV drugs. Use a condom every time you have any type of sexual intercourse-vaginal, anal or oral. Always follow the directions on the package.

But, remember, condoms are not foolproof. They are also more likely to fail during anal sex than during vaginal or oral sex.

REMEMBER, PEOPLE CAN LOOK HEALTHY and still be infected with HIV. If you have any doubts about your partner, use a condom – or don’t have sex.

USE A SPERMICIDE containing nonoxynol-9 with a latex condom if you have vaginal or anal sex. Using a spermicide without a condom is not considered adequate protection against HIV.

USE A WATER-BASED LUBRICANT with the condom and spermicide. Never use an oil (petroleum jelly, baby oil, etc.) with a condom (it may cause the condom to break).

DON’T MIX ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUGS WITH SEX – these substances can affect your judgment. When this happens, you may not take necessary precautions to protect yourself from HIV during sex.

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