HIV & AIDS Information ...

You can not tell if someone has HIV/AIDS just by their physical appearance or by what they might tell you.

Anyone who has engaged in any risky behavior should get tested. Testing should be done within 3 months of the possible infection to allow for detectable HIV antibodies. The average time frame being 20 days. Some rare cases have been know to take up to 6 to 12 months... but, this is rare.

RISKY BEHAVIOR is defined as: Activities that may put you at risk for HIV/AIDS exposure. Such behaviors include unprotected oral, anal and/or vaginal sex. Other factors that can contribute to HIV/AIDS are improper condom use, sharing needles, multiple sex partners, multiple drug partners, sex while under the influence of drugs, prostitution, blood transfusions between 1978-1985, having a STD or a partner with an STD, and/or having a sexual partner that can answer yes to any of the above mentioned risk factors.

TESTING may involve needles, but can be done with a simple method (OraSure) involving swabbing the inside of the mouth for known antibodies. Urine may also be used to test for HIV/AIDS. Both tests are analyzed through EIA tests and/or Western blot tests.

OraQuick, Reveal, Multispot, and Uni-Gold Recombigen tests can provide results in as little as 20 minutes (others take 1 to 2 weeks). These tests are often referred to as a "personal home tests" and can be found in most drug stores. However, positive results will need to be confirmed through additional testing and doctor visits.

Pregnant women that have HIV/AIDS should consult a doctor about medical therapies that are available to prevent risks of passing the disease onto their newborn child.

One can only know for sure if they are infected with the HIV/AIDS virus by means of being tested.

If you feel that you need to be tested, contact the Center for Disease Control (CDC) at 1-800-232-4636 / TTY: 1-888-232-6348. It is a 24 hour hotline service that can point you in the direction of getting tested in your home area. A list of sites can be found at the following website link.