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 HIV/AIDS
Frequently Asked Questions |
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What
is HIV? What is AIDS? How are they related?
HIV stands
for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV weakens the body's immune
system which protects the body from diseases. When someone has HIV, their
weak immune system makes it easy for them to contract other diseases and
infections. The last stage of HIV disease is called AIDS.
Where
can I get a free HIV test?
Free, anonymous (no name used) or confidential HIV testing is available
at many places. Call CHOICE at 215-985-3300 for information on testing
sites in your area. If you live outside Pennsylvania, you can call the
National AIDS Hotline (800-342-AIDS).
Is
the OraSure HIV test as accurate as the blood test?
Yes, the OraSure
test is considered more than 99% accurate. OraSure test determines the
presence of HIV antibodies in tissue from the cheek and gum inside the
mouth. It is not a saliva test.
Does
the OraSure HIV test hurt?
No. The OraSure
has to stay in your mouth for 2-5 minutes which might be uncomfortable,
but it should not hurt.
When
is the best time to take an HIV test?
HIV test checks
for the presence of antibodies that a person produces when they become
infected with HIV. If you are concerned about a specific incident that
may have put you at risk, it is recommended that you wait 3-6 months to
be tested in order to be sure that the test is accurate.
Can
you get HIV from oral sex?
Yes, it
is possible. HIV is transmitted through four bodily fluids: blood, semen,
vaginal fluids, and breast milk. If any of these fluids enters a person's
mouth or throat through a cut or tear, transmission is possible. However,
oral sex is considered a low risk behavior for HIV transmission. In order
to reduce the risk of HIV through oral sex, many people use condoms and
dental dams.
Can
you get HIV from saliva?
No. HIV is transmitted
through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. It is not transmitted
through saliva, sweat, tears, or urine.
Can
you get HIV from kissing?
It would be
extremely unlikely to get HIV from kissing, even open-mouth deep kissing.
HIV is transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk
and these fluids are not usually present during kissing.
What
are the symptoms of HIV?
It
is possible for someone to have HIV and not to know they are infected
because they have no symptoms. Some people (50-80%) will experience some
initial symptoms about 1-6 weeks after infection. This is called Primary
HIV Infection and can include flu-like symptoms such as fever, swollen
lymph glands, sore throat, rash, joint pain, diarrhea, headache, nausea,
and fatigue. All of these symptoms are very vague and can be caused by
many other illnesses besides HIV. The only way to know whether you are
HIV positive is to be tested. However, it is important to remember that
an person's test may not be accurate during this initial period because
they may be in the 3-6 month window period.
