Frequently Asked Questions on HIV

AIDS stands for Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome

• Acquired: Picked up through exposure to HIV, not inherited genetically.
• Immuno: Pertains to the immune system, which includes the cells and molecules that defend against infections and illnesses.
• Deficiency: Indicates a lack or insufficiency—in this case, a weakened immune system.
• Syndrome: A group of symptoms and signs of disease; AIDS is not a single disease but a collection of various physical ailments..
• AIDS is considered the final stage of HIV infection.

• HIV enters the body and attacks a special type of white blood cell called a “CD4” cell.
• CD4 Cells: These cells protect your body from infection by alerting the immune system to intruders.
• HIV's Impact: HIV attacks and destroys CD4 cells, making the body more vulnerable to illnesses and diseases.

• HIV can be spread through contact with an infected persons:
  • Blood
  • Semen
  • Pre-seminal fluids
  • Rectal fluids
  • Vaginal fluids
  • Breast milk
• This means that you can contract or give HIV through sexual intercourse, from your mother during birth or breastfeeding, or through exposure to blood—such as using injection drugs or blood transfusions. Blood is now screened for HIV, so the risk of contracting HIV from a blood transfusion is minimal.
• It’s important to note that blood is now screened for HIV, so the risk of contracting HIV from a blood transfusion is minimal.

• Using condoms: Consistent and proper use of condoms has been proven to reduce your chance of contracting and transmitting HIV.
• Lifestyle Changes: These include limiting risky sexual behavior, seeking treatment for drug use, or only using clean intravenous drug paraphernalia.
• Taking PrEP Medicine:
  • PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis and is a prevention method for those who may be at high risk of getting HIV.
  • PrEP is a daily pill composed of the same medicine people who already have HIV take to stay healthy.
  • When combined with condom use and other prevention methods, PrEP provides a higher level of protection against HIV than using other prevention methods alone.
  • If you think you may have an increased risk of getting HIV, visit the following links or speak to a provider:
    • Information from CDC on PrEP
    • Find a Provider in the CAPUS Resource Directory
    • Download the PrEP Tool Kit [PDF]
• Taking PEP Medicine:
  • PEP stands for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis. It is used to prevent HIV after a potential exposure.
  • There are two types of PEP based on the type of exposure:
    • If you are a healthcare worker, you may be evaluated for PEP if exposed to bodily fluids during care or HIV during a needle stick.
    • If you have been exposed to HIV during a single event, unrelated to work, such as unprotected sex, sexual assault, or needle sharing, you can also use PEP.
  • PEP must be initiated within 3 days of exposure, so you must contact a provider immediately.
  • For more information on Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, please see CDC's Basics of PEP.

You can get tested for HIV at home or at a testing lab facility. Most people these days prefer to do the test from the comfort of their own homes. For a list of local testing centers, visit our Testing Locations page.

The CDC recommends that people get tested at least once a year for HIV. If you fall into a high risk category, you may want to get tested every 3 to 6 months.

• People who fall into the high risk behavior category include:
  • Men who have sex with men (MSM)
  • People who use drugs intravenously (IV) and share unclean needles or other drug paraphernalia
  • People who have a history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
  • People who have ever had sex without a condom or other method of protection

The CDC also advises that all pregnant women should be screened for HIV as early as possible in the first trimester. A second HIV test during the third trimester, preferably before 36 weeks of gestation, is recommended for women who initially tested negative.

• In Georgia, physicians and healthcare providers are required to offer HIV and syphilis testing to pregnant women during their first and third trimesters. For more details, visit:
  • Georgia HIV/Syphillis Pregnancy Screening Act of 2015

Some doctors suggest having an HIV test during every physical checkup.

Resource:

• Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of Adults, Adolescents, and Pregnant Women in Health-Care Settings

• There are state laws that require a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS to be reported to the state health agency. In Georgia, name-based reporting has been mandated since 2004.
• Only those at the state level will have access to your personal identification. Once the information reaches the state health department, all personal details are removed before being sent to the CDC. This is done to better track the disease and prevent further cases from occurring.
• Some testing centers offer confidential or anonymous testing:
  • Confidential testing: The test results are directly linked to your identity and may be shared among healthcare providers. Federal and state privacy laws protect these results.
  • Anonymous testing: The test results have no direct link to your identity.

What is Viral Hepatitis?

Viral Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. The most common causes of viral hepatitis in the United States are hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV).

• Hepatitis A: Typically caused by consuming contaminated food or water. Those most at risk include travelers to countries with poor sanitation systems and individuals who have person-to-person contact with an infected person.
• Hepatitis B and C: These are chronic conditions that can lead to severe liver damage. Nearly 5.3 million people in the United States are infected with chronic Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C. Viral hepatitis is often a silent disease, with many at risk unaware of their infection until years later. Chronic Hepatitis B and C can result in severe complications such as liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and sometimes death. They are leading causes of liver cancer and liver transplants in the U.S.

Why are those living with HIV at greater risk for HBV and HCV?

Those living with HIV are at greater risk for HBV and HCV due to the nature of their transmission. Hepatitis B and C are most common among people living with or at risk for HIV.

• Hepatitis B: Transmitted through sexual contact and/or blood exposure, similar to HIV transmission. Most Hepatitis B infections in the U.S. are sexually transmitted. There is a vaccination available to prevent Hepatitis B. While most children are now vaccinated against Hepatitis B as infants, many adults remain unvaccinated and can become infected.For more information on Hepatitis B, visit:
  • Georgia Department of Public Health: Hepatitis B
  • CDC – Hepatitis B
  • HBV Advocate
• Hepatitis C: Transmitted through exposure to infected blood. Approximately 80% of those infected will develop a chronic Hepatitis C infection, which can lead to liver disease and liver cancer. The most common means of transmission is through direct passage through the skin. About 1 in 3 people infected with HIV is also infected with Hepatitis C. Deaths related to Hepatitis C now surpass deaths related to HIV. Hepatitis C is usually a slowly progressing disease, taking 20 to 30 years to cause complications. However, when combined with HIV, Hepatitis C progresses faster, increasing the rate of liver disease, liver cancer, and mortality. For more information on Hepatitis C, visit:

• Georgia Department of Public Health: Hepatitis C
• CDC – Hepatitis C
• HCV Advocate
• HEP C Community Educators

• If you have questions about Hepatitis C, call the peer-led hotline to talk with trained peer counselors at 1-877-HELP-4-HEP or visit the Help-4-Hep website.

What is Tuberculosis (TB) and how is it spread?

Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne disease that primarily affects the lungs. TB bacteria are spread from one person to another when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. There are two TB-related conditions: latent TB infection and TB disease.

• Latent TB infection: Lives in the body without causing sickness. People with latent TB may not experience symptoms and cannot spread TB germs to others. However, if these TB bacteria become active and multiply, the person will become sick with TB disease.

Why are people with HIV at higher risk for TB?

For people with weak immune systems, such as those diagnosed with HIV, the risk of developing TB disease is much higher. Tuberculosis (TB) remains the most common opportunistic infection and the top cause of death for patients diagnosed with AIDS. Due to the serious health risks of co-infection, the CDC recommends that all HIV-positive individuals get tested for TB annually.

For more information on Tuberculosis, visit:

• Tuberculosis: Getting Healthy, Staying Healthy – National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease
• Living with Tuberculosis – American Lung Association

What are STDs/STIs and how are they transmitted?

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are caused by bacteria, viruses, and even parasites that spread primarily from one person to another during sexual activity. In some cases, infections are passed from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth, through blood transfusions, or through needle sharing. There are many kinds of sexually transmitted infections and diseases. Not all STDs cause symptoms; many go unnoticed until complications occur or a partner is diagnosed.

What are the most common STDs/STIs?

The most common STDs/STIs include:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Syphilis
• Herpes
• Trichomoniasis
• Hepatitis
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

How do STDs/STIs relate to HIV?

STDs can be more severe for people infected with HIV. Treatment for an STD other than HIV does not prevent the spread of HIV from one person to another. In the United States, individuals regularly infected with syphilis, gonorrhea, and herpes may also have HIV and are more likely to acquire HIV in the future. Behaviors that place an individual at risk for one STD (not using condoms, having multiple partners, engaging in anonymous sex) also place them at risk for others. Similarly, having HIV increases the risk of co-infections with other sexually transmitted diseases.

What should people with HIV do?

Those with HIV are encouraged to remain in treatment and speak with their care team about STD testing and treatment.

For more information and to find testing locations, visit the Where to Get Tested Map.

What are Opportunistic Infections (OIs) and how do they relate to HIV?

Opportunistic infections (OIs) are infections that exploit a person’s already weakened immune system. Although less common today than in the early days of HIV/AIDS, OIs still pose a significant risk for undiagnosed individuals and those not in treatment. If a person living with HIV is diagnosed with an HIV-related OI, they will also be diagnosed with AIDS. Symptoms and treatment vary by disease; it is important to speak with your healthcare provider to prevent them or seek early treatment.

How can I prevent Opportunistic Infections?

The best ways to prevent OIs are to stay in medical care and manage your medications effectively.

For more information on Opportunistic Infections, visit the following sites:

• CDC Most Common Opportunistic Infections
• AIDS.org – Information on Opportunistic Infections
• AIDS.gov – Opportunistic Infections and Their Relationship to HIV/AIDS

How can HIV be transmitted from mother to baby?

There are several transmission routes for transferring HIV from mother to baby. Mother-to-child transmission can occur during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

What are the statistics on mother-to-child transmission of HIV?

According to the CDC, in 2010, approximately 217 children under the age of 13 years were diagnosed with HIV in the 46 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV infection reporting since at least 2007. Of those children, 162 (75%) were perinatally infected. Among the mothers of HIV-infected infants reported to the CDC from 2003–2007:

• Only 62% had at least one prenatal visit.
• 27% were diagnosed with HIV after delivery.
• Only 29% received some antiretroviral medication during pregnancy.

Why is HIV testing and preventive care important for pregnant women?

HIV testing and preventive interventions are crucial to prevent perinatal transmission and negative health outcomes for pregnant and parenting women.

CDC Recommendations:

• All pregnant women should be screened for HIV as early as possible during each pregnancy.
• Women with HIV who take Anti-Retroviral medication during pregnancy as recommended can reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to their babies to less than 1%.
• HIV medical care providers should routinely provide preconception care or family planning services to their patients with HIV to avoid unintended pregnancies.
• Early prenatal care, prenatal HIV testing, and prenatal Anti-Retroviral medication improve the mother's health and reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to the infant.
• Routine, opt-out HIV testing for all persons aged 13–64 years in healthcare settings, including women during every pregnancy.

For Pregnant Women:

• If you are currently pregnant and close to delivery, talk with your provider about the appropriate testing and treatments, or contact the Department of Public Health HIV Office at 404-657-3100.

For Postpartum Mothers/Caregivers:

• If you have had a baby within the last 12 months or are a caregiver of an HIV-exposed infant less than 12 months old, you qualify to participate in the Georgia FIMR/HIV Initiative. Talk with your provider about the appropriate testing and treatments, or contact the Department of Public Health HIV Office at 404-657-3100.

Helpful Websites

• Recommendations for Use of Antiretroviral Drugs in Pregnant HIV-1-Infected Women for Maternal Health and Interventions to Reduce Perinatal HIV Transmission in the United States
• HIV Among Pregnant Women, Infants, and Children

Federal Agencies	Website
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)	cdc.gov
Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA)	hrsa.gov
National Institutes of Health (NIH)	nih.gov
Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Office of Population Affairs	hhs.gov/opa

Local and National Organizations	Website
American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists	acog.org
CityMatCH	citymatch.org
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation	pedaids.org

How does homelessness relate to HIV?

The Facts:

• Impact of Housing: Housing, employment, and education are three major factors that affect a person’s projected HIV diagnosis. Housing is a key component of successful HIV/AIDS care because it provides a place to store food and medication, a stable place to rest, a clean water supply, protection from environmental factors, and safe living conditions.
• Complex Relationship: HIV and homelessness can be complex contributors to one another. Homeless populations are highly susceptible to HIV, and individuals infected with HIV may struggle with housing.
• Barriers to Healthcare: Homeless HIV-positive men and women face many barriers to healthcare, including lack of insurance, comprehensive health services, and awareness of available services and resources.
• Additional Medical Conditions: An HIV-positive homeless person may encounter other medical conditions associated with their living conditions and/or HIV.
• High-Risk Behavior: High-risk behaviors such as injection drug use and unprotected sex also complicate HIV care and transmission reduction among homeless populations.

Strategies:

• Affordable Housing: Make affordable housing available to all persons with HIV.
• Housing Assistance Priority: Make housing assistance a top HIV prevention priority.
• Incorporate Housing in Healthcare: Incorporate housing as a critical element of HIV healthcare.
• Data Collection: Continue to collect the data needed to inform HIV housing policy.

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• Helpful Websites
  • The Living Room
  • Lost n Found
  • Covenant House
  • Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS in Georgia
• Downloadable PDF documents:
  • HIV/AIDS Housing Breaking the Link Between Homelessness and HIV
  • Human Rights Update HIV/AIDS and Homelessness
  • HRSA CAREAction HIV/AIDS and Homelessness