Written by Jackie Hudson, Central Georgia District: May 20, 2015

122“That’s the virus that leads to AIDS, right?”

Most people have a limited understanding of what HIV is and what it does.  But let’s quickly take a more in-depth look.

What is it?

HIV is short for “Human Immunodeficiency Virus.”  Over time, HIV develops into AIDS, which is short for “Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.”  As the name suggest, AIDS is a progressive failure of the immune system.  As the immune system gets weaker and weaker, a person becomes unable to fight off deadly infection and diseases.  If HIV is not treated, an infected person will progress to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency.)

How it spreads:

HIV is present in blood, breast milk, semen, and vaginal fluid.  Infection occurs through with these bodily fluids.  The most common methods of infection are having unprotected sex and sharing unclean needles; less frequently, HIV is spread through methods such as an HIV positive mother infecting her child, or a person receiving blood or organs.

Should I avoid having contact with an infected person?

No, remember they are like you and they have feelings to.  That is really the time to be compassionate and show the love of Jesus.  HIV does not discriminate.  It has no regards to race, color, ethnicity or social status.  It is not transmitted by casual contact or shaking hands, giving a hug or sitting next to an infected person.

What to watch for:

• HIV can be present for many years with no symptoms

• Unexplained weight loss or tiredness

• Flu-like feelings that don’t go away

• Diarrhea

• White spots in the mouth

• In women, yeast infections that don’t go away

Protect Yourself!

Keep your chances of getting infected low by abstaining from any form of sexual activity. If determined to engage in sexual activity protect you by using barriers.  No sex is safe sex.  Do not share needles.  And if you may have engaged in high-risk behavior in the past, don’t just hope or assume that you’re ok.  It is critical that you find out your HIV status right away so that treatment can begin as soon as possible,  There are drugs available that not only keep the level of HIV in your body low so that it will not progress to AIDS but also help lower your risk of transmitting HIV to others.  So get tested today!

Sources:

--http:/www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/

--http://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/hiv-aids-101/how-you-get-hiv-aids/