We Have to Go There – About HIV

Michael Harney

by Michael J. Harney, Jr.

The incidence of HIV/AIDS is rising in the African American community. What can be done to arrest this epidemic? Be knowledgeable — and protect yourself and your loved ones through education.

I am honored to submit my first column about HIV/AIDS to The Urban News this month. A prevention educator and street outreach worker for the Western North Carolina AIDS Project (WNCAP), I am also coordinator of the Needle Exchange Program of Asheville (NEPA). My work focuses on preventing new cases of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases like gonorrhea, herpes and syphilis), and Hepatitis (Inflammation of the liver – A,B,C).

One of the greatest
problems in addressing HIV/AIDS is the silence around the disease. Many
people living with HIV/AIDS fear rejection, stigma, and ridicule. And
far too few people are comfortable conversing about HIV/AIDS in a
simple conversation over lunch or supper. To deal with this epidemic,
it is essential to speak of it. Say it aloud: “HIV/AIDS.” Now we can
begin to talk about the issues.
First, everyone should understand the difference between HIV and AIDS. So let’s define the terms.
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that is transmitted from
one person to another – not from animals, not from mosquitoes.

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a collection of symptoms
– a syndrome – in which HIV weakens the immune system over a period of
years, making the body susceptible to diseases and infections that they
could otherwise fight off.

T-cells are specialized blood cells that fight infections; when the
T-cell count in the blood reaches 200 or less, AIDS is diagnosed. See
www.cdc.gov.

There is a MYTH that HIV lies dormant in the human body for 7-10 years.
The FACT is that a person infected with HIV, even though he or she has
no symptoms of AIDS, is able to infect another person. AIDS is not
infectious; the HIV virus is. That is why it is so important for people
to change behaviors that transmit HIV.

How is HIV transmitted?

HIV is transmitted by behaviors, not by certain people; not by rich or
poor, by race, by educational background – it is what you do, not who
you are, that puts you at risk for getting HIV. The most risky way of
getting HIV is by allowing an infected person’s body fluids inside your
body. That happens most frequently in two ways:

1. Unprotected sexual activity (having sex without a condom) that
allows semen into your body. This is true regardless of whether you are
straight or gay, and regardless of the specific positions you and your
partner engage in.

2. Sharing needles during drug use – using the same needle after an
infected person uses it. The drugs don’t have to be illegal ones like
heroin or cocaine; a needle could be used for steroids, vitamins,
insulin, or even hormones. Never share a needle. (Remember, Asheville
supports a needle exchange program for anyone who can’t access a
sterile needle.)

3. A third way in which HIV is transmitted is through open sores,
especially around parts of the body used for sexual activity. Even a
cold sore on the lip can allow viruses, whether herpes or HIV, to be
transmitted from the mouth to the genitals, and vice-versa.

What body fluids transmit HIV?

There are four body fluids that can transmit HIV: semen, vaginal
fluids, blood, and breast milk. The first two fluids transmit HIV
during sexual activity; blood transmits the virus during sex or needle
exchanges. Breast milk transmission is very rare in the United States,
but where women with HIV don’t have access to baby food and formula,
they may transmit HIV to their newborns by breastfeeding. Pregnant
women may also transmit HIV to the fetus through the blood. There has
been great success in preventing this through pre-natal care and
treatment.

Saliva is not one of the fluids that transmit HIV, but having poor oral
hygiene (sores in the mouth, bleeding gums) can provide a way for the
fluids that transmit HIV to get into the body through the mouth.

How is HIV NOT transmitted?

Drinking from the glass of someone with HIV does not transmit HIV.
There is no need to make someone with HIV eat off of disposable plates.
Sitting on a toilet after someone with HIV has used it is not going to
transmit HIV to you. Hugging someone or letting someone cry on your
shoulder carries no risk for getting HIV.

How can we prevent new HIV infections?

Learn more about HIV/AIDS. First, another MYTH: the government is
trying to kill certain populations and is withholding the cure. FACT:
There is no cure; once a person is infected with HIV, the person stays
infected, even though he or she might not show symptoms of AIDS for
many years.

It is your responsibility to learn how to avoid being infected with HIV. There are only a few proven ways to do so.

Abstinence: Do not engage in any of the sexual behaviors mentioned
above. For most people, that is not a realistic option, at least in the
long term.

Monogamy: Limit your sexual activity to one person whom you can trust
and who can trust you – not for just a few months, but as a long-term
commitment.

Protection: Unless both you and your partner are free of HIV infection,
and both of you are in a committed, monogamous relationship, use
condoms and avoid any exchange of body fluids. Never share a needle
with another person under any circumstances.

Future columns will discuss the impact HIV/AIDS is having on the
community, plus some of the medications and treatment possibilities for
staying healthy and prolonging life.

I encourage you to write the editor with questions and comments that
you would like addressed. And always stay safe, and stay smart about
the risks to you and your loved ones.

Michael Harney has been involved in HIV/AIDS education and prevention
since 1992; WNCAP has been serving our community since 1986 and
currently has more than 300 clients.

For more information and/or confidential assistance, contact Michael
Harney at the Western North Carolina AIDS Project at (828) 252-7489,
ext. 311.