Description and Symptoms of HIV:
This virus is transmitted through oral, vaginal, or anal sex, as well as by getting infected blood into you and through breast milk. HIV causes AIDS which is a disease that makes the immune system function poorly so that the person is prone to other infections and some types of cancer. When someone first acquires HIV they might get flu like symptoms (fever, headaches, rash, joint pain). After that it can be years before symptoms appear.
Prevalence of HIV:
According to the Center for Disease Control, at the end of 2003 an estimated 1,039,000 to 1,185,000 people in the U.S. were living with HIV/AIDS. update to facts: In 2020, 30,635 peoplea received an HIV diagnosis in the United States (US) and dependent areas.b From 2016 to 2019, HIV diagnoses decreased 8% overall in the US and dependent areas. Thankfully it is good to hear there is a decrease : Source: CDC
Prevention of HIV:
There is no way to tell if someone has HIV by looking at them or their genitalia. The best prevention from HIV is to always use latex (or polyurethane) barriers during any sexual contact that can involve bodily fluids. Communicating with partners about HIV and other STDs can also be a very important part of prevention. Many people may have HIV/AIDS and be unaware of it. The CDC estimates that 24-27% of people in the U.S. with HIV have not been diagnosed and are unaware of the infection.
Diagnosis and Treatment of HIV:
Diagnosis of HIV is done with a blood test. There is no cure for HIV, but there are many treatments for AIDS which can improve the quality of life of people living with AIDS.
STD Information on saltyvixenstories.com
The following information is compiled from a variety of sources, including the Center for Disease Control, Planned Parenthood, and World Health Organization sources.
We strive to keep this information up to date, but new studies and information about side effects and effectiveness may not be reflected immediately in this information. This should be used as a guide only, and a health care professional should be consulted when considering a new or changed contraceptive method.
