Myths

Four

Common Myths about

HIV and AIDS  

               

1) Can I acquire HIV or AIDS from touching something that someone with the virus has touched? (i.e. a toilet seat, doorknobs, eating off the same plate or spoon/fork)

No! (see p.1)

2) Can I get HIV or AIDS from a mosquito?
No, there have been multiple studies and tests that have proven this to be false.

3) I can’t get HIV from oral sex!

Yes you can. >:[ (see p.1 for more info.)

4) If I’m receiving treatment, I can’t spread HIV/AIDS.

Treatment can only reduce signs of HIV/AIDS, you still have the disease and can give it to anyone at any time.

Treatment can only reduce signs of HIV/AIDS, you still have the disease and can give it to anyone at any time.

How can a person protect themselves?

The most effective way to protect yourself against HIV is to stay abstinent. Avoiding the exchange of blood, semen, and vaginal fluids will make it impossible to acquire HIV. However, it is possible to be born with HIV or acquire it from breast milk.

Condoms have the same amount of protection against HIV as they do against pregnancy and other STDs. They don't always work.

Always get tested. Even if your partner assures you that they do not have HIV, they have no way of knowing for sure. Asking your partner to get tested is a sure way of knowing that they are healthy.

How does HIV/ AIDS affect your Family?


HIV is known  as an illness that affects couples and families not only the individual. This is not only because the virus can be passed on from one person to another, but also because for every person infected with HIV, there is a family and community that are also affected.

• In relationships, the diagnosis of HIV may reveal aspects of a person's behavior that they may have wanted to keep private. This may include infidelity or sexuality (such as male homosexuality) or intravenous drug use. This can result in feelings of guilt, blame and lead to a relationship breakdown.. 
• If more than one person in their family has HIV it can add to the stress and financial part of this disease. 
• If they are HIV positive and the news is kept hidden, there could be some discrimination among the close relatives. But to prevent this from happening; it's best to tell far family members and even the community to get the support they need. 
• If a family has A child with HIV it can be very hard for them to tell the child about their disease. 
• Problems can arise between religious or cultural belief. Because of either their partner situation and or medication. 
• It can be hard for a parent to discuss their children's sexual behavior. This could have prevention implications for the next generation. 
• Poor access to information can result in people not taking their medication as prescribed by their physician or not coming to the hospital regularly. People in families may disagree about the best course of treatment. 
• The stress of living with HIV causes some people to suffer from mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.

The most important information you need to know regarding your HIV or AIDS infection is to  know that you'll always have support. Either from far or close family members and especially your community. So keep your head up high and let us help you get through it. 

Site I used

  American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy 

www.aamft.org/.../Families_Living_with_HIV

Where can a person get tested for HIV/AIDS?

Where can a person get tested for HIV/AIDS?

    In Oregon, students can get tested for free at any community health clinic or school-based health clinic for free. Some clinics closest to you are:

1. Multnomah County STD Clinic: The STD Clinic is located at 426 SW Stark St., 6th floor. The STD Clinic telephone number is 503-988-3700.

     2. Plan Parenthood Clinic: 3727 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Portland, OR 97212           p: 888.875.7820


     3. Madison high school health clinic: Go right outside of Mrs. Quall's class door, take immediate left.

How Does HIV/AIDS affect the immune system?

How does HIV/AIDS affect the immune system?

The human immune system is largely made up of 'helper' t-cells. T-cells scan any unrecognized, therefore any threatening, substance or bacteria that enters the body; in this case it is a virus. The scan allows the t-cells to create the correct anti-bodies to destroy the virus. However, the HIV virus has the ability to mutate itself throughout it's time in the body, making the t-cells re-scan and re-create new anti-bodies every time a mutation happens. While this is happening, the way the HIV virus re-produces is by sending some of it's DNA into a nearby t-cells, corrupting it's genetic coding and destroying it while creating more HIV virus cell sin the process. This is how HIV and AIDS can kill you. The virus itself doesn't kill you, your immune system's inability to illuminate any simple or complicated sickness that works it's way into your body is what brings you to your demise.

citation: http://people.ku.edu/~jbrown/hiv.html

How Does HIV/AIDS Affect The Brain?

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome  (AIDS) is the result of an infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This virus attacks selected cells of the immune, nervous, and other systems and impairs their proper function.

 

HIV infection may cause a number of problems in the brain and nervous system, including:

 

• Damage to the brain
•  Inflammation of the brain
• Meningitis
• Nerve damage
• Difficulties in thinking
• Behavioral changes
• Poor circulation
• Headache
• Stroke

 

AIDS-related cancers, such as lymphoma, and opportunistic infections may also affect the nervous system. Neurological symptoms may be mild in the early stages of the disease, but can become severe in the final stages. Complications vary widely from one patient to another.

 Such as:

 

• Headache
• Confusion
• Lethargy
• Low-grade fever
• Weakness
• Speech disturbance
• Ataxia (loss of muscle control)
• Apraxia (inability of a person to perform voluntary and skillful movements)
• Seizures
• Sensory loss.

 

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a disorder that can also occur in patients with AIDS, causes:

 

• Weakness
• Hemiparesis or facial weakness
• Dysphasia (trouble with speech)
• Vision loss
• Ataxia.

Where Can I Get Tested?

Where can I get tested for HIV/AIDS in my area?

There are many health clinics throughout Multnomah County that anyone can go to, to get tested for free, and be cared for in most any other ways. The locations vary from hospitals, to your neighborhood high school. For example, there is a health clinic at our very own, Madison High School, and you can get tested for HIV/AIDS at no cost to you, if you are under the age of 24.

If you so desire, going to our county's website can further help you with any health related issues due to HIV/AIDS.

http://web.multco.us/health/std-services