By Ruth A. Beauchan, M.S.W.

What is HIV?

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks and destroys the body's immune system, more specifically white blood cells. These cells help protect and defend the body against disease and germs that are harmful.

Signs and symptoms of early infection may be none to mild. People with HIV do not look any different because many people who have HIV have no symptoms. HIV can hide in a person's body for many years without producing any symptoms; therefore, many people may not know that they have this deadly disease.

People infected with HIV can develop many health problems. Signs of early infection may include short, flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph glands, recurrent fever, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, diarrhea and decreased appetite. People with HIV can progress to develop severe pneumonia, various forms of cancer, and damage to the brain and spinal cord.

How Does a Person Become Infected with HIV?

The HIV infection is hard to get. You cannot catch it like you catch a cold. Anyone can become infected with HIV, depending on their behaviors. It is not who you are, it is what you know and what you do. HIV passes directly from one person to another through blood, semen or vaginal fluids. You are at risk to get HIV if:

* You have unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex with an infected person. If a person has sex or is sexually abused by someone with the HIV virus, he or she may get the virus from that person.

* You share used needles, or drug paraphernalia with an infected person (including steroids).If you have sex with a drug user who is infected with the virus, male or female, you may be infected by that person.

Drugs and alcohol do not cause AIDS but do affect decisions you make. 75% of the people infected with HIV abused drugs and alcohol (Dept. of Health, AIDS/STD Project, 1988)

* You received a blood transfusion prior to 1985. Since April 1985, all blood being used for transfusions is tested for the AIDS virus. The possibility of infection through transfusion today is very, very low.

* Being born to an HIV infected mother. If a mother has the HIV virus, she can infect her baby before or during birth.

How is HIV Not Spread?

The HIV virus is not spread through casual contact. Despite the many rumors and stories, HIV is not spread through the following:

* Touching, kissing, hugging or hand shaking.

* Breathing or coughing.

* Using toilets, telephone, swimming pools, or drinking fountains.

* Sharing food and dishes.

* Insect bites.

What is AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)?

AIDS is the last phase of the HIV infection. Once a person enters this stage they will probably die. At the present time, AIDS is considered 100% fatal.

There is no proven completely successful treatment for HIV/AIDS. Scientists, federal and state agencies, drug companies, medical schools and universities continue to search for a cure. As of today the AIDS virus is deadly and there is no known cure, except to protect yourself.

How To Protect and Prevent HIV/AIDS Infection

The most important way to prevent infection is by making the right choices and decisions. The surest way of not getting HIV is to not have sex or use drugs and/or alcohol.

Safe Sex

Decide not to have sex.

Decide to have a long term relationship where you and your partner have sex only with each other. Honest communication with your partner about sex is very important.

Decide not to have sex with multiple partners, or with persons who have had multiple partners The more partners you have, the greater your risk.

Decide to properly use a latex condom or barrier for oral, vaginal or anal sex every time you have a new or different partner.

Decide not to have oral, vaginal or anal sex with an HIV infected person.

Drug Use

Decide not to use drugs or alcohol.

Decide not to use injectable drugs.

If you do use drugs:

Decide to cut down or stop your drug and alcohol use.

Decide to get help now if you think you have a drug or alcohol problem.

Information, referral and counseling are available 24 hours a day by calling the Substance Abuse Hotline at 1-800-873-8732. Injectable drug users are a priority for treatment programs statewide.

Decide to use clean needles, not to share needles, and/or clean your "works" with bleach and water until you are able to stop.

Testing Information and Resources

HIV antibody test sites are available statewide. The testing is free and anonymous to anyone 14 years or older without parental consent. For more information, about test sites and hours of testing, contact the State Department of Health, STD/AIDS Prevention Branch at 733-2437 or the national 24-hour Hotline 1-800-342-2437.

For additional information or referral contact me, Ruth Beauchan, Social Worker at the Waimanalo Health Center. I am an active member of the Windward HIV Community-Based State Planning Committee. I am also certified by the Life Foundation and Pacificare as a Buddy for persons infected with HIV.

Acknowledgements and Resources:

AIDS/STD Project

Hawaii State Department of Health

Life Foundation,

The AIDS Foundation of Hawaii

The CHOW Project

Community Health Outreach Work to prevent AIDS

Pacificare