HIV – Yes It Can

Every nine and half minutes someone else is infected with the HIV virus.

Stop. Think about that for a minute. Someone is being infected right now as you read this.

It maybe someone you know.

December 1st, is “World AIDS Day”.

The day we remember that 33 million people in the world have HIV

Spread Awareness, not the virus.

Because if you are sexually active at all, it CAN happen to you. Before we can stop any epidemic, we first have to recognize the magnitude of the disease. HIV is still a threat across the United States. And even though there are treatments to help people with HIV live longer than ever before, AIDS is still a significant health issue. Surprised?

Here are some other surprising facts:

• Every 9½ minutes (on average), someone in the United States alone is infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
• More than 1 million people in the United States are living with HIV RIGHT NOW.
• Of those 1 million people living with HIV, 1 out of 5 do not know they are infected. (People who have HIV but don’t know it can unknowingly pass the virus to their partners.)
• Despite new therapies, people with HIV still develop AIDS.
• Over 1 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with AIDS.
• More than 14,000 people with AIDS still die each year in the United States.

Take Control of Your Health. Get Tested.

CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 be tested for HIV at least once as part of their routine health care. Testing once a year (or more frequently) is recommended for people at high risk of the virus, such as gay and bisexual men and women, injection drug users, or people with multiple sexual partners.
It is important to learn your HIV status and that of your partners because studies have shown that when people find out they are living with HIV, they take steps to protect their health and that of their partners. Furthermore, once you learn your status, if you find out that you have HIV infection, you can seek medical care that can reduce the impact of HIV on your health, substantially increase your lifespan, and improve your quality of life.
Locate an HIV or STD testing site near you or text your zip code to KNOWIT (566948).

CLICK HERE TO FIND A TESTING SITE NEAR YOU

You can also call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1800-232-4636) for assistance in locating a testing site.

HIV and AIDS: We Are All Part of the Solution

We can all be leaders. We can take more responsibility to do more as individuals, as communities, and as a nation to fight HIV and AIDS.
As individuals:

• We should know whether or not we are infected with HIV;
• If we are infected, we should seek medical care and protect others from becoming infected;
• We should protect ourselves and others from HIV;
• We should educate ourselves and others about HIV.

As communities:

• We should mobilize to overcome the challenges and barriers to HIV prevention;
• We should fight ignorance and complacency related to HIV;
• We should increase the awareness about the severity of epidemic and the continued impact that HIV is having on our communities;
• We should make sure that HIV prevention services, HIV testing, medical care and treatment are available to all who need them;
• We should work to prevent stigma and discrimination—and to increase support for people living with HIV.

As a nation:

• We must recognize the epidemic here, in this country, for the crisis that it still is;
• We must implement the programs that scientific evidence tells us are most effective;
• We must ensure that those who need effective prevention interventions have access to them;
• We must come together to intensify efforts and the stop this epidemic.

Together, we have the power to change the course of the HIV epidemic in the United States.

…So What Happens IF it happens to you?

Being diagnosed with HIV can be a scary thing to face. You may have a lot of unanswered questions and concerns. This checklist will help you take the first steps toward managing a new HIV diagnosis.

• Don’t panic—just breathe. This is life-changing news but you have life-enhancing options.
• HIV is NOT a death sentence.
• It’s okay to feel overwhelmed and emotional. That’s normal. However, your mental attitude will make all the difference in the world in terms of your health and well-being.

• Make a list of all your questions. You will probably have some time between when you are diagnosed and when you have your first visit with an HIV specialist or health-care provider. This might be a good time to sit down and write out a list of questions about your new diagnosis.

• Making a list is a good way to organize your thoughts. No question is too vague, too detailed, or unimportant. You may find the answers to some of these questions through your own research, and some may need to be answered by your health-care provider.

• Understand your diagnosis. After you have listed your questions, take some time to understand what it means to be “HIV-positive.” You can visit the government and private websites listed below, read printed materials (from the testing center or local library), talk with health-care providers, or take advantage of community resources.

• Find a support system. This is one of the most important pieces of managing a new HIV diagnosis. You can find support among friends, family, or members of your community and/or even the HIV community.

• If you are not ready to tell other people about your HIV diagnosis, that’s ok. Don’t rush. Look to community resources and professional organizations that offer support groups for newly diagnosed people, one-on-one counseling, peer counselors, or health educators.

• Find a care provider. Your care provider will be the person who partners with you to manage your HIV care. That person will be responsible for monitoring your laboratory results, working with you to develop a proper treatment plan, advising you on health-related matters, and caring for your general health and well-being.

• This clinician, usually a doctor or nurse practitioner, will be your partner in your health-care. It is important to maintain an open and honest dialogue with your care provider. You can’t tell them anything they haven’t heard before. Just be honest. Sometimes a care provider will be recommended to you at the time of your diagnosis, or you will receive a referral from the place that conducted your HIV test. In some cases, you may need or want to find a provider on your own.

• Prepare for your first appointment. Your first appointment with your HIV specialist can cause anxiety and you may forget things you wanted to ask. Remember to bring your list of questions and be open and honest with your clinician. Take some time to research the medical tests that your clinician may want to run during your first visit.

• Begin thinking about who you want to tell. Disclosing can be one of the hardest parts about managing a new diagnosis of HIV. It’s important to remember that you do not need to tell everyone all at once, and that there are systems in place to help you. The choice to tell is YOURS alone. Remember, there is no rush. You need time to process what is happening.

• At this time it is important to disclose your HIV status to your health-care providers, sexual partners, and anyone who may be at high risk for exposure.

For more information on HIV and World AIDS Day Resources, please visit the websites below:

http://www.nineandahalfminutes.org/

http://www.hivtest.org/

http://www.aids.gov/

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV