Hiv/aids 101 Q & A

Front 1

Clarissa Mayes

Q1: How does HIV cause AIDS?

Back 1

A1: HIV attacks your body, specifically the immune system, allowing the extremely threatening disease AIDS to be contracted. this happens through negligence, or if one develops a serious cold e.g. pneumonia.

Front 2

Q2: True or False, you will die early if you get HIV.

Back 2

A2: False, with early treatment people living with HIV can live long healthy lives

Front 3

Q3: How does someone who is HIV positive, infect someone who is healthy?

Back 3

A3: HIV can be spread through direct contact of blood, or through certain linings inside the body e.g. the rectum (bum).

Front 4

Q4: Other than Intimate or direct contact with someone HIV positive, how could one contract HIV?

Back 4

A4: HIV can also be passed on through,

Childbirth

Dirty needles

Pregnancy

Breastfeeding

Front 5

Q5: What happens when you become HIV positive?

Back 5

A5: After a couple of weeks you may experience flu like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and joint pain.

Front 6

Q6: Are there any long term effects of HIV?

Back 6

A6: Other than AIDS, generally no, the symptoms of the first few weeks fade and with treatment, everything is good.

Front 7

Q7: If I have HIV will I get AIDS?

Back 7

A7: It is common for HIV positive persons to get AIDS but it isn't a definite outcome for everyone, especially for those who get proper care and treatment against HIV and AIDS.

Front 8

Q8: How can i tell if i have AIDS?

Back 8

A8: Testing, duh. But AIDS also has some very prominent symptoms like:

Cancerous tumors!

Yeast or shingles infections!

and we can't forget the reoccurring diarrhea.

Front 9

Q9: Who are the most at risk for HIV?

Back 9

A9:
The people most at risk for HIV are the people who often engage in unprotected or unhygienic activities like drugs or sex, men who are gay also have very high risks since they have a smaller pool of partners to choose from.

Front 10

Q10: Could you sleep with someone HIV positive and not get HIV?

Back 10

A10: if you used a condom it is possible for the non-infected person to get off without a hitch. HIV is normally passed through unprotected sex.

Front 11

Q11: True or False, if you have HIV you have a higher risk of developing another (different) STI.

Back 11

A11: True! with your immune system dead haveing sex with others is risky enough, but it works both ways since you could easily develop something like herpes.

Front 12

Q12: What are the risks that people take which result in HIV?

Back 12

A12: Dangerous activities like

Unprotected sex (oral or no)

Sharing needles

Getting blood in open wounds

Sharing anything that could transfer though intimate contact

Front 13

Q13: How can you be get tested for HIV?

Back 13

A13: HIV is diagnosed through a blood test, Blood tests can be done at "HIV testing sites across Canada" they can be anonymous and take 1-2 weeks or they can be done rapidly and you may see the result almost immediately .

Front 14

Q14: True or False, Is there a cure for HIV?

Back 14

A14: FALSE! there is no cure for HIV, only treatment which consists of Antiretroviral drugs. which slow HIV's spread and boost your keep away other diseases.

Front 15

Q15: If One thought they might have gotten HIV from their partner last night should they get their test immediately?

Back 15

A15: No. It may take up to a month for HIV to appear in the blood test, depending on the type of test you took, if you or your doctor think the results are skewed you may need to retake the test again.

Front 16

Q16: Should everyone get tested for HIV, even if they are a very careful person?

Back 16

A16: YES! Even if you are HIV negative it's always good to know, plus, you can ask your tester to also check for other STI's such as chlamydia or herpes.

Front 17

Q17: Is there a Vaccine for HIV?

Back 17

A17: No, unfortunately there is no medicinal pre-measure against HIV, if you think you are infected tell your doctor immediately. they may prescribe you to start taking Antiretroviral drugs even before the results come back.

Front 18

Q18: What measures should we take to limit our chances of contracting HIV through sexual content.

Back 18

A18: Always use a condom

talk to your partner about all sexual history

and get tested for HIV and STI's regularly

THE BEST WAY IS ABSTINENCE

if you are not doing the deed you will not get HIV that way.

Front 19

Q19: True or False, Its OKAY to share needles.

Back 19

A19: FALSE! no it's not, whenever you or others are injecting drugs, doing piercings, acupuncture, or tattoos. you must use a clean sterile needle and either dispose of or properly clean the needle each and every time.

Front 20

Q20: Can People with HIV have healthy children?

Back 20

A20: Yes they can! people who are pregnant or plan to get pregnant should take tests for any and all diseases viruses or illnesses, and those who may be HIV positive MUST take Antiretroviral drugs during the child incubation and avoid all breastfeeding.