Tests Available for HIV and AIDS

Tests Available for HIV and AIDS

HIV
-There are many different types of tests for HIV, however they all do roughly the same thing to check for HIV (count HIV antibodies.) The only difference between the tests is the amount of time it takes to get results back and efficiency.
The original test that all the others are based off of is referred to as the HIV Antibody Test, ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) or just EIA (enzyme immunoassay):

• Taken 2-12 weeks after known exposure
• Test counts the body's antibodies against HIV which the body starts producing between 2-12 weeks after exposure.
• One can only know for sure if they are HIV negative if the test is taken 6 or more months after exposure.
• Antibody tests can use blood, oral fluid (not saliva), and urine to detect HIV antibodies. 

AIDS

-There is not an exact test for AIDS. When one is diagnosed with HIV, doctors routinely check your T-Cell count.

•  One officially has AIDS when their T-Cell count is below 200 cells/mm3 (cubic millimeter.)
• T-Cells are a type of "fighter" cell in the body that fights off infection. When HIV has destroyed one's immune system enough for the T-Cell count to be below 200 cells/mm3 then they officially have AIDS. 

HOWEVER, if one does not know they have HIV, there are tests doctors give that 

1) Test to see if they have HIV.

2) Count your T-Cells and viral load (With AIDS T-Cell is low and viral load is high.)

Sites used: 

-http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/insite?page=basics-01-01

-http://aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/just-diagnosed-with-hiv-aids/understand-your-test-results/cd4-count/

-Dr. Juniper Martin 

• STATISTICS
• HIV infection diagnosis remained stable at approximately 300 people per year, and the number of deaths have remained constant at approximately 100 people per year.
• Approximately 59% of all reported cases of HIV infection were residents of Multnomah  County
• Multnomah County accounts for 19% of Oregon’s estimated 2005 population.
• Approximately 40% of newly reported HIV infections have lead to AIDS at the time of diagnosis or within 12 months.

          2011 Worldwide Statistics:

• In Sub-Saharan Africa there were  23.5 million people infected with HIV

• In South/South-East Asia the total number of people living with HIV were 4.0 million and 280,000 were newly infected with HIV
• In Eastern Europe/Central  Asia  a total of 1.4 million people are living with HIV
• In Latin America a total of 1.4 million are living with HIV and 86,000 are newly infected with HIV
• In North America there was a total of 1.4 million infected with HIV 51,000

HIV Transmission and AIDS

How does one get HIV?

How does one get AIDS?

-HIV is Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is carried in many bodily fluids. However, there are only four known fluids that transmit the virus:

• Semen
• Vaginal Fluids 
• Breast Milk
• Blood

The virus can ONLY be transmitted when one of these fluids carries the virus, and comes in contact with another of the fluids. Some examples of ways HIV can be transmitted:

• Vaginal Sex
• Anal Sex
• HIV infected mother transmitting it to child during pregnancy or breast-feeding.
• Blood Transfusions, or infected blood getting in an open wound (entering the bloodstream.)
• Needle Sharing
• Oral Sex (if the mouth has a wound, therefore having access to the bloodstream.) 

YOU CANNOT GET HIV FROM KISSING UNLESS (for some reason) BOTH OF YOUR MOUTHS HAVE OPEN, BLEEDING WOUNDS.

-AIDS is Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. This syndrome occurs after HIV has destroyed the immune system enough so that it can no longer protect the body from foreign invaders. Because one's immune system no longer functions, the body can easily become overcome by infection.  

Where I got the info I didn't know:
-Dr. Juniper Martin 

HIV/AIDS

HIV stands for:  Human Immunodeficiency Virus

-Immunodeficiency meaning a defect of the immune system, and virus meaning a type of disease that can change inside of your body, making it difficult for protective t-cells to create the right anti-bodies quick enough to destroy the invasive virus before it changes again.


AIDS stands for: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

-After HIV gets out of control to the point that your t-cell count is bellow 200, you have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Slogan:)

No Condom, No Love.

#yolo

#don'thaveunprotectedsex #hivaidsprevention