AIDS/HIV Programs

HIV Transmission

A man, woman, teenager, or child can get HIV through the infusion of specific infected fluids (blood, semen, vaginal secretions, or breast milk) into his or her bloodstream. The most common forms of passing HIV from one person to another are (1) vaginal or anal intercourse without a condom; and (2) sharing syringes (some blood remains in the syringe). It is possible for a fetus or newborn to get HIV from the mother. HIV will not pass through air, clothing, or unbroken skin. Tears, perspiration, saliva, and urine do not transmit HIV. No one has ever been infected with HIV through casual contact, such as hugging, holding hands, or sharing food, beverages, dishes, or linens.

HIV Disease

A person learns whether he or she is HIV-positive through a blood or saliva test. HIV attacks the immune system, diminishing the body's ability to fight infections and cancers. A person with HIV can live for years without having any symptoms of the illness. When persons develop HIV symptoms, they can maintain good health and functioning for years if they have good medical care, nutrition, stress management, and social support. Much progress has been made with medical care and anti-HIV medicines, so where and when health care is available, people with HIV are living longer and fuller lives than possible before. Still, there is no cure, so HIV remains a serious, chronic, life-threatening, difficult-to-manage illness.

History

The retrovirus was probably undetected among humans for over a century before the symptoms were noticed and reported in the United States in 1981 by physicians who were treating young gay and bisexual men who were dying rapidly from mysterious infections and cancers. At the same time, scientists from all over the world reported similar unexplained life-threatening illnesses in men, women, and children. In the United States, the disease initially became associated primarily with gay men. Because traditional medical, governmental, pharmaceutical, and charitable organizations were not appropriately serving people with HIV, early AIDS service organizations (ASOs) were founded and run by men and women in the gay community; Many of the men were themselves ill from HIV complications. The early response to HIV in the United States is a model for community organization and policy advocacy.

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