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Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS):
A
condition that reduces the body’s ability to fight disease, thus the
person becomes vulnerable to life threatening infections and cancer.
Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV):
The
official name for the virus that is ultimately responsible for AIDS.
Immune
System:
The
system in the body that helps resists organisms causing disease. The
t4 Helper Cell is an important and crucial component of the system.
The Human
Immunodeficiency Virus has some special characteristics:
It
can take many years from the time of infection until signs or symptoms of
the illness appear. This means an infected person can appear healthy
but can pass the virus on to others. There is no way to look at
someone and know if they are carrying the virus.
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HIV
is found in body fluids of infected people. Blood, semen and vaginal
fluids contain larger amounts of the virus than tears and saliva.
HIV
is a sexually transmitted disease, like herpes and syphilis, because it can
be transmitted through sexual acts. Sexual contact is the most common
form of transmission.
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The
second most common form of transmitting AIDS is by sharing needles and
syringes during intravenous drug use. People who use cocaine
(including crack, rock, etc.,) often develop such a desire for the drug that
they trade sex for drugs. People who drink alcohol or other chemicals
that induce a blackout put themselves in jeopardy because they cannot
remember what they did, with whom, etc. especially in sexual behavior.
Using alcohol and other drugs impairs the ability to make responsible
decisions this “risky behavior’ must be avoided in this age of AIDS.
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Male-to-male
sex accounts for the major sexual transmission of AIDS, however,
heterosexual cases are on the increase.
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Blood
transfusions or blood products can also cause infections. Today,
the virus can be detected by finding its antibodies in the blood before
it is used for transfusions making the blood supply considerably safer.
Signs
& Symptoms
The
most common symptoms of AIDS are loss of weight, fever, swollen glands, and
diarrhea.
If
you are sexually active, consult with a responsible health professional,
read all the information available and make sure you get the facts.
Remember, even if you have never used drugs, if you have sex with a
person who used or is using needles for intravenous drug use, you put
yourself at risk for infection.
How
To Avoid the Virus
Never
share intravenous needles
Never
use ear piercing or tattoo equipment unless you know it is sterile
Avoid
blood-to-blood contact
Abstain
(avoid) oral, anal or vaginal intercourse
Numerous
studies show that HIV is not transmitted through sweat, tears, and
saliva.
For
more information on HIV/AIDS, STD’S or alcohol and drug abuse
issues, contact:
TAADAS
Statewide Clearinghouse
1800 Church Street
Suite 100
Nashville, TN
37203 or
Call
615.780.5901 or the TN REDLINE at 1-800-889-9789 or your local health
dept.
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