Additional Questions

More About HIV

There are many treatment guidelines for people infected with HIV, including guidelines for the prevention and treatment of opportunistic infections. These guidelines can be viewed and downloaded from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

You may also wish to contact HIVinfo (hyperlink below), a service of the United States National Institute of Health that offers the latest federally-approved information on HIV/AIDS: hivinfo.nih.gov

* clinical research,
* treatment, and
* prevention.

Exposure to HIV means that a person has had contact with infected material, such as blood, in such a way as to be placed at risk.

Infection means that the virus entered the body and is living there. Many people who are infected with HIV don't have symptoms for many years. Someone can look and feel healthy but can still be infected. Once a person is infected, he or she can pass the virus to others.

You can be exposed to HIV without becoming infected. There have been instances when a person became infected as a result of contacting blood or bodily secretions from an HIV positive person.

All people with HIV should be tested for tuberculosis (TB). If the test shows that they have TB, they should get treatment right away to prevent TB disease.

If you're concerned about the possibility of being infected with TB, contact your doctor or healthcare provider. He or she will help you determine if you're infected.

There are many types of government assistance programs for those infected with HIV. Programs include:
* Social Security benefits for people living with HIV/AIDS;
* Medicare;
* Medicaid;
* Income Support;
* Food Stamps;
* Housing; and
* The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act.

If you have questions about treatment for HIV, talk to your doctor or a healthcare provider. He or she can help you figure out the best treatment for you. It's best if you see a doctor who has experience treating people with HIV.

For specific information on the treatment of HIV, and treatment guidelines, contact AIDSinfo. AIDSinfo is a service of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and is sponsored by several Federal agencies. They offer the latest federally-approved information for consumers and healthcare providers on:
* Clinical research;
* Treatment and prevention; and
* Medical practice guidelines.

They also have information on enrolling in clinical trials.

Information is available in both English and Spanish.

There is no vaccine to prevent HIV infection, nor is there a cure for AIDS. But, there are medications that can help many people infected with HIV live with the disease and dramatically prolong their lives. It's important that people get tested for HIV and know that they're infected early in order for medical care and treatment to have the greatest effect.

If you have a positive HIV test, you can notify your partners yourself, or you can contact your state public health department's Partner Counseling and Referral Service (PCRS). PCRS can help you notify your partners and help them get medical evaluation, treatment, counseling, and other services.

The partner notification process is confidential. This means your partners won't be told who reported their name or when the exposure occurred. Also, information about your partners won't be reported back to you. The process is also voluntary. This means that you can decide which names you want to reveal.

Federal law states that people with HIV or AIDS can no longer be denied coverage by a new employer. But, there can be a waiting period of up to 12 months before care for a chronic (life-long) illness, such as HIV, is covered. In some states you may also have to pay a little more for insurance than someone who doesn't have a chronic illness. However, this is not true in New York.

If you have insurance through your job, the first thing to do is to read your employer's policy booklet. An employer or an insurance carrier must provide a booklet that describes the insurance plan. It will describe the benefits in detail. It should also describe what is and is not included in the plan.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) attempts to address some of the problems people have had getting insurance when they change jobs, especially people with HIV and other vulnerable groups.

Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Business Responds to AIDS/Labor Responds to AIDS program to learn more about HIV in the workplace and the laws that protect HIV-positive employees.

There are several programs that can help you pay for HIV medications. They include:

* AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs);
* Patient Assistance Programs; and
* Clinical trials.

ADAPs are state programs that provide free or low cost HIV/AIDS medications to under- or uninsured people who don't qualify for Medicaid.

Some drug companies have Patient Assistance Programs. Your doctor or counselor can help you find out how to apply for or enroll in any of these programs.

For many patients, the best access to medications is through clinical trials. By taking part in a clinical trial, you will get:
* Free doctor's care;
* Free lab testing; and
* Access to the newest drug combinations available.

T cells are a type of white blood cell that fights illness. They are called "T" cells because they mature in the thymus gland, an important gland that stimulates the immune system.

T cells are the immune (body defense) system's "border police." They're responsible for finding infected or cancerous cells.

T cells include CD4 and CD8 cells. CD4 cells are known as the "T-helper cells." They coordinate the immune response to invaders. CD4 cells signal other cells in the immune system to perform their special functions. The number of CD4 cells in a sample of blood is an indicator of the health of the immune system. HIV infects and kills CD4 cells. This is what leads to a weakened immune system in people infected with HIV.

If you have been diagnosed with HIV a CD4/CD8 ratio is used to help determine the progression of HIV infection and disease. They say how strong your immune system is.

Treating sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in someone with HIV lowers the amount of HIV in that person's genital fluids. It also decreases how often HIV is found in those fluids.

If you have an STD, you're at least 2 to 5 times more likely than people without an STD to get infected with HIV after exposure to the virus through sex. Also, among HIV-positive people, someone with an STD is more likely to spread HIV than someone without an STD.

Testing for and treating STDs can be effective tools in preventing the spread of HIV, which is the virus that causes AIDS.

Like all drugs in the U.S., HIV drugs must be approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA requires that all drugs be tested several times. Drug companies test drugs to make sure they're safe and effective. This process has 2 main stages:
* pre-clinical testing, and
* human testing.

Pre-clinical tests are done on lab animals. After a drug passes this type of testing, it's tested on humans.

The FDA reviews all the test data. If this review shows that a drug's health benefits outweigh its known risks, it's approved for sale.

If you'd like to learn more about clinical trials and drugs used to treat HIV, contact HIVinfo, a service of the United States National Institute of Health that offers the latest federally-approved information on HIV/AIDS: hivinfo.nih.gov

* Clinical research;
* Treatment and prevention, and
* Medical practice guidelines, for consumers and healthcare providers

You can test with OraQuick In-Home HIV Test in the privacy of your own home.

Many places also offer HIV testing. Common testing locations include:
* local health departments,
* private doctors' offices,
* hospitals, and
* other sites set up just for HIV testing

The HIV viral load test is a blood test. Blood is obtained from a vein in your arm. It measures the amount of HIV in your blood. The viral load gives information about the number of blood cells infected with HIV. It is used to monitor the risk of someone with HIV developing AIDS and provides a guide for your HIV therapy.

If you have questions about treatment for HIV, talk to your doctor. He or she can help figure out the best treatment for you. It's best if you see a doctor who has experience treating people with HIV.

Because HIV damages your immune (body defense) system, you may have a higher chance of infection by pathogens, such as bacteria or viruses, or by protozoa, such as a fungus. They are called opportunistic infections because an HIV-infected person's weakened immune system gives these diseases the opportunity to develop.

Treatment for HIV can delay the weakening of the immune system. People who are taking certain drugs can go a long time before their immune system is damaged enough to allow an opportunistic infection to occur. Many people do not know they have HIV until they develop AIDS and an opportunistic infection appears.

If you test positive for HIV, the sooner you take steps to protect your health, the better. Early medical treatment and a healthy lifestyle can help you stay well. Prompt medical care may delay the onset of AIDS and prevent some life-threatening conditions.

If you test positive for HIV, talk with a doctor as soon as you find out that you have it. Your doctor can help you learn more about the best treatment for you. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend you find a doctor who has experience treating people living with HIV.

You can learn more by visiting the CDC website or calling 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800 232-4636). Detailed information on specific treatments and enrolling in clinical trials is available from the Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) HIVinfo (hyperlink below), a service of the United States National Institute of Health that offers the latest federally-approved information on HIV/AIDS: hivinfo.nih.gov

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), is the Public Health Service agency responsible for research on therapies for HIV. You can contact them through the following address:

A person infected with HIV may have a higher chance of getting certain diseases they wouldn't get if they weren't infected. This is because HIV damages the immune (body defense) system. These other infections are called opportunistic infections.

The most common opportunistic infections for a person infected with HIV are:
* CMV (cytomegalovirus),
* TB (tuberculosis),
* Toxo (toxoplasmosis),
* Crypto (cryptosporidiosis),
* MAC (Mycobacterium avium complex),
* PCP (Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia),
* Hepatitis C, and
* HPV (human papillomavirus).

Common symptoms of opportunistic infections include:
* Breathing problems
* Mouth problems, such as thrush (white spots), sores, dryness, or loose teeth
* Fever
* Weight loss
* Change in vision
* Diarrhea

Different HIV and AIDS drugs have different side effects. They may be mild or serious. Many side effects go away when the person stops taking the drug. But, some side effects are permanent.

If you think you're having a side effect from a drug you're taking, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Some side effects that seem minor can be signs of more serious problems. Your doctor can help you figure out what to do.

Detailed information on specific treatments is available from the Department of Health and Human Services' AIDSinfo. You may contact AIDSinfo by phone at 1-800-448-0440 (English and Spanish).

HIV is the "human immunodeficiency virus." It's the virus that can lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS. The virus damages your immune (body defense) system by killing the cells that help you fight off infection and disease.

HIV can be spread from 1 person to another if someone with HIV infection has sex or shares drug needles with another person. HIV is spread when infected body fluids come in contact with broken skin or mucous membranes. Mucous membranes are the wet, thin tissues found inside the
* mouth,
* eyes,
* nose,
* vagina,
* rectum, and
* opening of the penis.

HIV can also be spread by an infected pregnant woman to her baby. This can happen during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breastfeeding.

Kaposi's sarcoma, or KS, is a rare type of cancer that causes abnormal growth of blood vessels. It's extremely rare in people with normal immune (body defense) systems. KS is often associated with AIDS.

In people with AIDS, KS is caused by an interaction between:
* HIV;
* A weakened immune system; and
* Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8).

KS has been linked to the spread of HIV and HHV-8 through sexual activity.

If you think you have KS, you should talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

If you have HIV, there are many things you can do to stay healthy.

* Make sure you see a doctor who knows how to treat HIV. Begin treatment as soon as your doctor tells you to;

* Keep your appointments and follow your doctor's instructions. If your doctor prescribes medicine for you, take the medicine just the way he or she tells you. Taking only some of your medicine gives your HIV infection more chance to fight back;

* If you get sick from your medicine, call your doctor for advice. Don't make changes to your medicine on your own or because of advice from friends;

* Get immunizations (vaccines) to prevent infections such as pneumonia (noo-MOH-nee-uh) (a lung infection) and influenza (flu). Your doctor will tell you when to get these vaccines;

* Practice safe sex to reduce your risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or another strain of HIV;

* If you smoke or use drugs not prescribed by your doctor, quit;

* Eat healthy foods. This will help keep you strong, keep your energy and weight up, and help your body protect itself;
* Exercise regularly;

* Get enough sleep and rest; and

* Take time to relax. Many people find that meditation or prayer, along with exercise and rest, help them cope with the stress of having HIV or AIDS.

There are also many things you can do to protect your health while preparing food, eating, traveling, and being around your pets. Talk with your doctor about these things. You can also read more about these things on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

AIDS stands for "acquired immunodeficiency syndrome." It's the late stage of HIV infection when a person's immune (body's defense) system is badly damaged and has difficulty fighting diseases and certain cancers. The symptoms that indicate someone has AIDS include:

* Opportunistic infections, such as:
- thrush (fungal infection in the mouth),
- herpes zoster (shingles), or
- pneumonia (a lung infection);
* Some cancers, such as Kaposi's sarcoma (KS); and
* A decrease in the number of certain types of blood cells that help to keep us healthy called CD4 T cells.

A diagnosis of AIDS is made by a doctor or healthcare provider when:
* Your CD4 cell count goes under 200; or
* You have HIV and certain other diseases

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) can be passed on through fluids in the mouth, semen, or blood.
Avoid deep kissing, having sex, or sharing needles with people who have KS or who are HIV-infected, or any of the behaviors that can increase your risk of getting the virus that causes KS.

If you have HIV, you can reduce your chances of getting the virus that causes KS by:
* Using a latex condom every time you have sex; and
* Not sharing drug-injection equipment.

You should take these precautions even if your sex or needle-sharing partner is also HIV-positive.

If you're concerned about the possibility of getting KS, talk to your doctor. He or she can talk to you about the best ways to prevent it.

A diagnosis with HIV is no longer the death sentence it once was. New treatments are allowing people to live long, healthy, and normal lives.

Early medical treatment and a healthy lifestyle can help you stay well. Prompt medical care may delay the onset of AIDS and prevent some life-threatening conditions. There are many important steps you can take as soon as you find out you're HIV-positive to protect your health.

* See a doctor or healthcare provider, even if you don't feel sick. Try to find someone with experience treating HIV. There are now many drugs to treat HIV infection and help you maintain your health.

* Have a tuberculosis (too-bur-kyuh-LOH-sis) (TB) test. You may be infected with TB and not know it. Undetected TB can cause serious illness, but it can be successfully treated if caught early.

* Don't smoke cigarettes, drink too much alcohol, or use illegal drugs. These behaviors can weaken your immune (body defense) system. There are programs that can help you reduce or stop using these substances.

* Get screened for other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Undetected STDs can cause serious health problems. You should also practice safer sex to avoid getting STDs.

Many people who are infected with HIV do not have any symptoms at all for many years. The only way to know if you are infected with HIV is to be tested. You cannot rely on symptoms to know whether or not you are infected.

If symptoms do occur, the following may be warning signs of infection with HIV:
* Rapid weight loss;
* Dry cough;
* Night sweats or fever that keeps coming back;
* Feeling very tired for no reason;
* Swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck;
* Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week;
* White spots on the tongue, in the mouth, or in the throat;
* Pneumonia (lung infection);
* Red, brown, pink, or purplish spots on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids; and
* Memory loss, depression, and other neurological (brain and spine) problems.

If you have any of these symptoms, don't assume that you're infected with HIV. Each of these symptoms can be related to other illnesses.

If you are concerned about the possibility of being infected with HIV, talk to your doctor. He or she could help you figure out if you are infected.

Pregnant women can test with the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test in the privacy of their own homes.

If a woman is pregnant and is concerned that she has been infected with HIV, the best thing for her to do is talk to her doctor. Her prenatal care should include HIV counseling and testing. If she is infected with HIV, her doctor can also provide antiretroviral drugs (drugs that treat HIV). These drugs can improve the woman's own health. They can also reduce her risk of transmitting (spreading) HIV to her baby.

Your HIV test result reveals only your HIV status.

Also, a negative test result does not necessarily mean you're not infected. If you were exposed to HIV less than 3 months ago, you may need to repeat the test in a few months to make sure you don't have HIV.

Ask your sex or needle-sharing partner or partners if he or she has been tested for HIV and what risk behaviors he or she has engaged in. Think about getting tested together.

The only way to know if you have HIV is to be tested. You can't rely on symptoms to know whether or not you're infected. Many people who have HIV don't have any symptoms at all for many years.

If you're worried that you might have HIV, talk to your doctor or healthcare provider. He or she can help you find out if you're infected.

A person with HIV can prevent foodborne or waterborne illness by preparing food and drinks the right way.

* Meat, poultry (such as chicken or turkey), and fish can make you sick if they are raw, undercooked, or spoiled. Cook all meat and poultry until they are no longer pink in the middle. If you use a meat thermometer, the temperature inside the meat or poultry should be over 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Fish should be cooked until it's flaky, not rubbery.

* Only eat eggs if they're well cooked. They should be solid, not runny. Do not eat foods that contain raw eggs, such as:
- hollandaise sauce,
- cookie dough,
- homemade mayonnaise, and
- Caesar salad dressing.

* Raw fruits and vegetables are safe to eat if you wash them carefully first. Eating raw alfalfa sprouts and tomatoes can cause illness, but washing them well can reduce your risk of illness.

* Do not drink water straight from lakes, rivers, streams, or springs.

* Wash your hands well with soap and water after touching raw meat, poultry, and fish. Wash them well before you touch any other food, or before touching your eyes or mouth.

* When shopping for food, be sure to check expiration dates. Also, be sure the packaging isn't damaged. Do not buy food that's been displayed in unsafe or unclean conditions.

* Read food labels. Be sure that all dairy products that you purchase have been pasteurized (heated to kill germs). Don't buy any food that contains raw or undercooked meat or eggs if it's meant to be eaten raw.

For specific information on the treatment of HIV and treatment guidelines, contact AIDSinfo. AIDSinfo is a service of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and is sponsored by several Federal government agencies. AIDSinfo offers the latest federally approved information on HIV/AIDS:

* clinical research,
* treatment and prevention, and
* medical practice guidelines, for consumers and healthcare providers.

You cannot rely on symptoms to know whether a person has AIDS. AIDS is a medical diagnosis made by a doctor based on specific criteria set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The AIDS case definition set by the CDC includes all HIV-positive people who have any of the following conditions:
* CD4 cell count at or below 200/mm3 (per cubic millimeter) of blood;
* Pulmonary tuberculosis;
* Recurrent (comes back again and again) pneumonia (lung infection); or
* Invasive cervical (SUR-vi-kuhl) cancer in women. Invasive cervical cancer is cancer that has moved to areas of a woman's body outside of her womb.

You should still use a condom when having sex, even if you and your partner both have HIV.

No one knows for sure if "additional" virus makes HIV disease worse in people with HIV. Also, there are other problems you could have if you're exposed to another person's HIV virus. A person may have a type of HIV that is resistant (does not respond) to a certain drug. If that person has sex with another HIV-positive person, the drug-resistant virus strain could be transmitted (spread). The sex partner could then also become resistant. Finding treatment for that strain of virus could be difficult.

Also, you could get another sexually transmitted disease (STD) from your partner, if your partner is having sex with other people. STDs can cause major health problems for a person living with HIV or AIDS.

Most HIV-infected people will eventually develop AIDS.

Before 1996, scientists thought that about half the people with HIV would develop AIDS within 10 years of getting infected. This time varied greatly from person to person. It depended on many factors, such as the person's health status and health-related behaviors.

Since then, more powerful drugs have been developed to treat HIV. These drugs have increased the time between HIV infection and the development of AIDS. There are also other medical treatments that can prevent or cure some of the illnesses associated with AIDS. But, these treatments don't cure AIDS itself.

Estimates of how many people will develop AIDS and how soon are being studied and revised. This is because new treatments are helping people with HIV stay healthier longer. As with other diseases, early detection of infection allows more options for treatment and prevention.

After more than 28 years of scientific research, it was concluded that most people who become infected with HIV will eventually develop AIDS.

Before the discovery of HIV, evidence from epidemiologic studies had clearly indicated that the underlying cause of AIDS was an infectious (easily spread) agent. Infection with HIV has been the only common factor shared by AIDS cases throughout the world among:
* Men who have sex with men;
* People who have received blood transfusions;
* People with hemophilia (a blood clotting disorder);
* Sex partners of infected people;
* Children born to infected women; and
* Health care workers exposed to the virus at work.

Someone who has been exposed to HIV can take drugs to lower their chances of getting infected. This is called antiretroviral therapy for exposure to HIV. It is also called postexposure prophylaxis or PEP. PEP is the term used when referring to healthcare workers who have been exposed to HIV.

PEP can also be given to pregnant women to lower their chances of spreading HIV to their babies.

PEP works best if it's started within 1 to 2 hours after the exposure. It can be used within 72 hours for very high-risk exposures. Animal studies suggest that PEP is not likely to be effective when started more than 24 to 36 hours after exposure.

PEP may not prevent all HIV infections. But, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend a 2- or 3-drug combination of antiretroviral drugs to help prevent HIV after exposure to the virus.

When HIV enters your body, it infects your CD4 cells and kills them. CD4 cells (sometimes called T-helper cells) help your body fight off infection and disease. Usually, CD4 cell counts in someone with a healthy immune (body defense) system range from 500 to 1800.

When CD4 cells are lost, your immune system breaks down and you can't fight infections and diseases as well.

AIDS is diagnosed when the CD4 cell count goes under 200. AIDS can also be diagnosed in people with a CD4 cell count over 200 who have HIV and certain diseases. These diseases include, such as:
* Tuberculosis (TB), and
* Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP).

If you think you may have been exposed to HIV within the last 72 hours, you can ask your doctor or healthcare provider about drugs you can take that may help prevent HIV.

If you think you've been exposed to HIV, you should also get an HIV test as soon as possible.

If your result is negative, you should test again 3 months after the exposure. If there is a need to find out sooner than 3 months after exposure, please consult a healthcare provider for additional testing options.

HIV destroys a certain kind of blood cell called CD4 positive (CD4+) T cells. These cells are central to your immune (body defense) system and help your body fight off infection and disease. The loss of these cells in people with HIV is a strong predictor of the development of AIDS.

Sensitive tests have shown a strong connection between:
* The amount of HIV in the blood;
* The decline in CD4+ T cells; and
* The development of AIDS.

Reducing the amount of virus in the body with drugs can slow the destruction of a person's immune system and help to prevent infection and disease.

A newly infected person could give HIV to his or her sex partner within a few hours to a few days after becoming infected.

If you are concerned that you may have been exposed to HIV, get tested as soon as possible. The only way to know if you've been infected is to have an HIV test.

While you're waiting to get tested and receive your results, it's important to abstain from (avoid) all sexual contact. If you're not able to do this, you should practice safer sex. This will lower the chance that you'll spread any infection you might have to others.

Studies are underway to better determine the time it takes for HIV to result in an AIDS diagnosis. Before 1996, scientists thought that about half the people with HIV would develop AIDS within 10 years of getting infected. This time varied greatly from person to person. It depended on many factors, such as the person's health status and health-related behaviors.

Since then, the development and availability of strong drugs to treat HIV have greatly changed the time between HIV infection and the development of AIDS. There are also other treatments that can prevent or cure some of the illnesses associated with AIDS. But, these treatments don't cure AIDS itself.

HIV-2 is rare in the U.S., however the OraQuick In-Home test detects both HIV-1 and HIV-2.

There are 3 different groups of HIV. These groups are also called "subtypes." They refer to forms of HIV that have different structures.

There are 3 groups of HIV-1:
* Group M, for Major;
* Group O, for Other; and
* Group N, for New.

Group M is further divided into subtypes A through K. Group M, subtype B causes 99 percent of the HIV-1 cases in the U.S. Group M subtypes are also known as genotypes or clades.

Group O includes a small number of HIV types. They were found in western and central Africa. They are very rare in the U.S. and haven't been sub-typed yet.

All HIV tests must be able to detect both Group M and Group O types of HIV to be approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Group N was found in Cameroon, a country in western/central Africa, in 1998. It's the rarest of the 3 groups of HIV. It's very unlikely to be found in the U.S.

HIV-2 is a second retrovirus that causes AIDS. It was first discovered among people in West Africa in 1986.

CDC recommends that HIV-infected women in the U.S. do not breastfeed. HIV can be passed from mother to child through breast milk. By not breastfeeding, transmission (spread) of HIV to infants through breast milk can be avoided.

Also, if you have HIV and are taking drugs to treat HIV these can also be passed through breast milk. This is another reason why women who are taking drugs to treat HIV should not breastfeed.

If you're pregnant and are worried that you've been exposed to HIV, you should test with OraQuick In-Home HIV test or see your doctor and get tested as soon as possible.

HIV-2, like HIV-1, is a virus that causes AIDS.

HIV-1 and HIV-2 are both associated with similar opportunistic infections and with AIDS. Both are transmitted in the same way. In people infected with HIV-2, weakening of the immune (body defense) system seems to happen more slowly and is milder. Also, those with HIV-2 seem to be less infectious (able to spread disease) early in the course of infection than those with HIV-1. As the disease advances, HIV-2 seems to become more infectious. But, compared with HIV-1, the duration of this increased infectiousness is shorter.

HIV-1 and HIV-2 also differ depending on where you're located in the world. The U.S. has few reported cases of HIV-2. Africa has many.

If you're concerned that someone is knowingly, or unknowingly, spreading HIV or another sexually transmitted disease (STD) to others, please contact your local or state health department for advice. They will be aware of the most recent rules and policies that can address your concerns.

In general, privacy laws prevent giving out personal health information. These laws are designed to protect the privacy of all people in the U.S. If you'd like more information on the disclosure of protected health information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

People are at risk for HIV-2 infection if they:
* Had sex with a person from a country where HIV-2 is common;
* Had sex with a person known to be infected with HIV-2;
* Received blood or a non-sterile (not clean) injection (shot) in a country where HIV-2 is common; and/or
* Shared needles with a person from a country where HIV-2 is common, or with a person known to have HIV-2.

Children born to women who have HIV-2, or the risk factors mentioned for HIV-2, are also at risk for getting the virus. HIV-2 disease in children is rare. It seems that HIV-2 is not passed on from mother to child as easily as HIV-1.

Most everyday work activities do not put you at risk for HIV. There is no danger in working with someone who is HIV-infected or who has AIDS.

The risk of healthcare workers coming into contact with HIV on the job is also very low if they follow the right steps to protect themselves, such as using:
* Protective practices, and
* Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Non-healthcare workers
There is no known risk of HIV transmission to coworkers, clients, or consumers from contact in industries like food service. All food-service workers should follow recommended standards and practices for:
* Good personal hygiene (cleanliness); and
* Keeping food and food preparation areas clean.

Salon workers should wear latex or vinyl gloves during contact with customers if they have open sores or broken skin on their hands. This is especially important if they have eczema (allergic skin). Salon workers with fever blisters or cold sores around or on the face should avoid touching those areas.

Instruments that can penetrate the skin or become contaminated with blood should be sterilized or thrown away after 1 use. This includes:
* Ear-piercing devices;
* Needles used for electrolysis (hair removal), tattooing, and acupuncture; and
* Razors, cuticle scissors, and tweezers.

Healthcare workers
The main risk of HIV transmission (spread) for healthcare workers is through accidental injuries from needles and other sharp instruments that may be contaminated (tainted) with the virus. But, even this risk is small. Based on several studies, scientists estimate that the risk of infection from a needle stick is less than 1 percent.

Case investigations conducted between 1981 and 2006 identified 57 cases of healthcare workers in the U.S. who got HIV because they were exposed to it at work. In all of these cases, it was proven that it was the HIV exposure at work that caused the illness. Twenty-six of those healthcare workers developed AIDS.

There have also been 140 other healthcare workers who were exposed to HIV at work and who later got HIV. However, it's not known whether it was the exposure at work that caused the disease, or if the individual had another HIV exposure risk.

The most recent possible new case of HIV caused by exposure at work was reported in 2000. No new, documented cases have been reported since then. But, several cases are still being investigated.

The first case of HIV-2 infection in the U.S. was diagnosed in 1987. Since then, the CDC has worked with state and local health departments to collect certain data on people with HIV-2 infection.

Of the 79 people infected with HIV-2 between 1987 and 1998, AIDS-defining conditions have developed in 17. Eight (8) have died. But, these case counts are only estimates.

There is a risk of HIV transmission (spread) from a tattoo or body piercing. The virus can be spread if tools contaminated (tainted) with blood haven't been sterilized or disinfected. These processes involve heating or treating the tools with special cleaners to kill germs and prevent infection. HIV can also spread if the tools aren't used properly between clients.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that single-use tools for penetrating the skin be used only once and then thrown away. Reusable tools or devices that penetrate the skin and/or contact a client's blood should be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized between clients.

If you're thinking about getting a tattoo or body piercing, ask the staff doing the tattooing or piercing what steps they take to prevent the spread of HIV and other diseases. You may want to call your local health department to find out what disease prevention steps are regulated or inspected for these types of businesses.

If your OraQuick In-Home HIV Test is positive, you will need a second test to confirm your test result. Please see your doctor or a local clinic to obtain a follow-up test in a medical setting. A doctor, clinic, or healthcare professional must confirm your OraQuick® In-Home HIV Test result. If you test positive for HIV, early medical treatment and a healthy lifestyle can help you stay well. Getting medical care right away may delay the onset of AIDS. It may also prevent some life-threatening conditions. There are many steps you can take to protect your health.

* See a doctor, even if you don't feel sick. Try to find a doctor who has experience treating HIV. There are many medications to treat HIV infection and help you maintain your health. It's never too early to start thinking about treatment.

* Test for tuberculosis (TB) test. You may have TB and not know it. Undetected
 TB can cause serious illness, but TB can be successfully treated if caught early.

* Don't smoke cigarettes, drink too much alcohol, or use illegal drugs like methamphetamines. These activities can weaken your immune (body defense) system. There are programs that can help you reduce or stop using these substances.

* Get screened for other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Undetected STDs can cause serious health problems. It's also important to practice safe sex, so you can avoid getting STDs.

* Not having sex is the most effective way to avoid spreading HIV to others. If you choose to have sex, use a latex condom to help protect your partner from HIV and other STDs. Studies have shown that latex condoms are very effective, though not 100 percent effective in preventing HIV transmission (spread) if they're used correctly each time you have sex. If you or your partner are allergic to latex, you can use plastic (polyurethane) male or female condoms.
 

There is much you can do to stay healthy. Learn all that you can about maintaining good health.

Treatment of HIV-2 is different than the treatment of HIV-1.

Not all of the drugs used to treat HIV-1 infection are as effective against HIV-2. Some don't work at all. It's not known whether the possible benefits of these drugs would outweigh the side effects of treatment.

Also, it is more difficult to monitor the treatment response of people infected with HIV-2 than people infected with HIV-1. No test has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to measure HIV-2 viral load.

The best timing for HIV-2 treatment remains under review by clinical experts. More research and clinical experience is needed to determine the most effective treatment for HIV-2.

Female-to-female transmission (spread) of HIV appears to be rare, but, it has been reported. The well-documented risk of female-to-male transmission of HIV shows that vaginal secretions and menstrual blood may contain the virus. It also shows that when mucous membranes, the soft, moist areas just inside the body's openings, are exposed to these secretions, it has the potential to lead to HIV infection.

Scientists and medical authorities agree that HIV does not survive well outside the body. This means that the risk of environmental transmission (spreading) is very small.

HIV cannot reproduce outside the body, except in a lab setting. So, HIV does not spread or stay infectious (able to spread) outside of the body. The virus does not survive outside the body.

In 1999, researchers reported that it first came from a type of chimpanzee found in western Africa. They believe that HIV-1 was spread to humans when hunters came into contact with infected blood.

A course of highly active antiretroviral therapy is advised for treating non-healthcare workers who have been exposed to HIV.

Antiretroviral therapy can reduce the risk of HIV infection after exposure to the virus when:
* The person is seeking care less than 72 hours after they had an exposure to HIV that did not occur at work;
* The person was exposed to the blood, genital secretions, or other potentially infectious body fluids of a person known to be infected with HIV; and
* The exposure carries a high risk for transmission (spread) of HIV.

Post-exposure treatment in other situations is up to the doctor giving treatment.

Anyone who thinks they might have been exposed to HIV should seek the advice of their doctor right away.

It is not true that there is a mutated version of HIV that is transmitted through the air. The story that the CDC has discovered a mutated (altered) version on HIV that is spread through the air is false.

Many scientific studies have been done to look at all the possible ways that HIV is transmitted
(spread). These studies have not shown HIV to be transmitted through air, water, insects, or casual contact.

HIV is spread by anal, vaginal, or oral sexual contact with someone who is infected with HIV. It can also be spread by sharing needles or syringes with someone who is infected with HIV. Babies born to HIV-infected women may also become infected before or during birth or through breastfeeding.

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), or treatment, is used when a person has been exposed to a virus, such as HIV, and is at risk of getting infected. PEP may be given to people who seek care within 72 hours of an exposure that is considered to be a high risk for transmission (spreading) and has involved exposure to:
* blood,
* genital fluids, or
* other potentially infectious body fluids of a person known to have HIV.

Post-exposure treatment for other situations is left up to the decision of the doctor or healthcare provider providing treatment. PEP can lower that person's chances of getting infected with the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends antiretroviral drugs be given after exposure to HIV:
* For healthcare workers exposed on the job; and
* For some exposures outside of work settings.

Factors such as the amount of blood and the amount of virus in the blood will affect the choice of drugs used for PEP. If you have questions about post-exposure treatment to prevent HIV infection, talk to your doctor.

At this time, there is no vaccine that will prevent HIV infection or treat those who have it.

Researchers have been trying to find an HIV vaccine since the virus was first identified in 1984. But, so far, they haven't been successful. That's because HIV does not act like other viruses for which we have vaccines, like measles or chickenpox.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends antiretroviral drugs be given after exposure to HIV:
* For healthcare workers exposed on the job; and
* For some exposures outside of work settings.

If you are a healthcare professional and have questions about post-exposure treatment to prevent HIV infection, contact the National HIV/AIDS Clinicians' Consultation Center.

If you have HIV, you can spread the virus to others whether you have symptoms or not. In fact, many people infected with HIV don't show symptoms for 8 years or more. HIV can be transmitted (spread) at all stages of the disease.

It's important to note that infected pregnant women who don't have symptoms can also transmit HIV to their fetus (unborn baby).

People who are infected with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are at least 2 to 5 times more likely than uninfected people to get HIV if they are exposed to the virus through sexual contact. If an HIV-infected person is also infected with another STD, he or she is more likely to transmit (spread) HIV through sexual contact than other HIV-infected people. Studies have shown that using a condom is a good way to prevent the spread of HIV and some other STDs if the condom is used the right way every time you have sex. If you or your partner are allergic to latex, you can use plastic (polyurethane) (pol-ee-YOOR-uh-thayn) male or female condoms.

It's possible for either partner to become infected with HIV by performing or receiving oral sex. There have been a few cases of HIV transmission (spread) from performing oral sex on a person infected with HIV. But, it is a less common mode of transmission than other sexual behaviors, such as anal and vaginal sex. While the exact degree of risk isn't known, evidence suggests that the risk is less than that of unprotected anal or vaginal sex.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend you not share sex toys with partners. If you choose to share sex toys, such as dildos or vibrators, with your partner:
* Each partner should use a new condom on the sex toy; and
* Be sure to clean sex toys between each use.

There are no drugs that can totally prevent HIV, but there are FDA approved drugs that can help reduce the risk of becoming infected for individuals that engage in high risk activities. Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a new HIV prevention method approved by the FDA in July 2012 in which people who do not have HIV infection take a pill daily to reduce their risk of becoming infected. The pill contains medicines that prevent HIV from making new virus as it enters the body. Clinical trials are currently ongoing to determine the safety and efficacy of PrEP. Contact a doctor or qualified health care professional to get more information about preventive measures that may be available to you. He or she can talk to you about your options as well as determine the correct method of HIV testing required.

People who are allergic to latex can use synthetic or plastic (polyurethane) (pol-ee-YOOR-uh-thayn) condoms. Natural membrane (skin or lambskin) condoms are not a good choice for preventing HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), as they may contain natural holes.

If you have HIV, the best way to avoid spreading the disease is to not have sex. If you choose to have sex, use a condom to help protect your partner from HIV. Condoms can also protect you from getting other strains of HIV and/or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Condoms are not 100 percent effective. But, studies have shown that if they're used the right way every time you have sex, condoms are a good way to prevent the spread of HIV. Ask your doctor or counselor for more information about safer sex. Make sure to tell your partner, and be responsible.

The Western blot is a type of HIV test that is most often used to confirm a positive HIV antibody screening test. The Western blot measures antibodies to HIV. Antibodies are proteins produced by the body's immune (defense) system to fight infection. If there are antibodies to HIV, it indicates that the person has HIV in his or her body.

Additional Questions

The OraQuick Support Center provides information about the OraQuick HIV test and some basic information about HIV. We are not equipped to handle questions or comments about OraSure Technologies, Inc. (OTI).

If you have specific questions or comments about OraSure or the design and development of their products, please contact OraSure Customer Service. In the US: 1-800-ORASURE (1-800-672-7873) or Outside the US (001) 610-882-1820 or the website

www.orasure.com

For information about drug and medical device approval, please contact the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) directly. You can also visit their website for information.

The OraQuick Answer Center can only provide information about the OraQuick HIV test and some basic information about HIV. If you are seeking more in-depth information about HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), please contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC Division of STD Prevention provides a wide array of information about STDs. You can visit their website or you can call them toll-free at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).

If you think you might be infected with an STD, please talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

The OraQuick Answer Center can only provide information about the OraQuick HIV test and some basic information about HIV. If you have questions about sex education, please talk with your doctor. He or she will be able to provide you with information and/or resources that will address your questions or concerns.

You can also contact your state or local health department. If you would like, we can provide you with the contact information for your state/local health department.

The OraQuick Answer Center provides information about the OraQuick HIV test and some basic information about HIV. If you have questions or concerns regarding your health, please talk with your doctor. He or she will be able to provide you with information and/or a diagnosis about your concern(s).

If you think you need urgent medical attention, you should call 911 immediately.

Rapid HIV testing can give people results within minutes rather than days. Public programs do about 2.1 million HIV tests each year.

OraQuick In-Home HIV test is the only rapid HIV test available for use by consumers.

There are other HIV tests licensed for use by healthcare professionals in the U.S.

As with all screening tests, a positive test result must be confirmed by a follow-up test in a professional setting (by a doctor or other healthcare professional).

OraSure does not monitor HIV/AIDS vaccine development in the private sector or in other countries. Currently, there are no approved HIV/AIDS vaccines. But, many products are being studied.

Visit the websites for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) to learn more about HIV vaccine research and development efforts. You can also learn more about clinical trials for HIV vaccines by visiting the AIDSinfo website.

The HIV vaccines that are currently being tested cannot cause HIV infection. HIV vaccines contain part of HIV genes. These gene fragments can stimulate an immune (body defense) response. But, they cannot re-form themselves into an infectious virus. Therefore, a person cannot become infected from the vaccine.

Also, only a few side effects have been linked with the research vaccines. They include:
* soreness at the injection site,
* a low-grade fever, and
* body aches.

It's also important to note that all research vaccines are thoroughly screened and examined before they can be used in a clinical trial. In addition, before a vaccine can be given to people in research trials, it's first reviewed by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other clinical review boards.

Talk with your doctor about lifestyle changes you should make as a result of being HIV positive. He or she will be able to help you figure out what is best for you and your situation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest that you do not smoke, drink, or use illegal drugs if you have HIV. Smoking cigarettes, drinking too much alcohol, or using illegal drugs can weaken your immunity (body's defense). Living a healthy lifestyle can help you stay well longer.

OraSure cannot provide you with information on clinical trials for HIV vaccines.

If you are currently enrolled in a clinical trial, contact the trial site with any questions you may have about the vaccine or the trial.

If you would like more information on ongoing or upcoming clinical trials, visit the United States National Institutes of Health, National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases website, or the ClinicalTrials.gov website.

The OraQuick In-Home HIV Test can test for both HIV-1 and HIV-2. It is the only rapid HIV test available for use by consumers.

Other tests for HIV-2 are available through your doctor or a clinic, such as:
* The MultiSpot HIV-1/HIV-2 Rapid Test, manufactured by Bio-Rad Laboratories, which uses blood from a vein to test for HIV-1 and/or HIV 2, and can differentiate between HIV-1 and HIV-2; and
* The Clearview HIV 1/2 Stat-Pak and the Clearview Complete HIV 1/2, manufactured by Inverness Medical Professional Diagnostics, which use blood from a vein or finger stick to test for HIV-1 and/or HIV 2.

The availability of these tests varies.