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back to Womansplace home page Womansplace Crisis Center HIV/AIDS Counseling & Education    What are HIV and Aids?       HIV      AIDS       How is HIV transmitted?       How can I protect myself from HIV?    Women and HIV    How can Womansplace help you?     WHAT ARE HIV AND AIDS?... HIV: HUMAN IMMUNO-DEFICIENCY VIRUS HIV is a bloodborne infectious agent that attacks particular cells in the immune system.  This makes it difficult for the body to fight off infections.  HIV is a preventable disease & it is NOT easily transmitted.  HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. AIDS: ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME A life-threatening collection of illnesses occurring in persons with a weakened immune system due to HIV infection. HOW IS HIV TRANSMITTED?                               Through unprotected anal, vaginal, or oral sex with someone who is HIV infected. Sharing needles for the use of injecting drugs, steroids, tattooing, or piercing. An HIV-positive mother can pass the virus to her unborn child. Having direct contact with infected blood. HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF FROM HIV? Avoid direct contact with blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk. Use latex (not lambskin) condoms when engaging in sexual activities. When using latex condoms use a water-based lubricant like KY Jelly or Nonoxynol-9.  Vaseline, hand lotion, oils, or creams can weaken the condom, causing it to tear or break.  Remember - condoms are not 100% foolproof!  They can tear, break, or fall off during sex. Do not share needles.  Any object that breaks the skin should not be shared.  If you are injecting anything into your body, use bleach & water to clean the syringe - this can kill the HIV virus. Using alcohol & drugs can prevent you from making clear decisions.  Be aware of who you are socializing with because they may tamper with your substance of choice.  Recently, there has been in increase in the use of sedative-type drugs by persons seeking to commit rape.  Often, the drug is slipped into a drink at a party or bar. To protect yourself from being infected with HIV/AIDS virus, abstain from all risky behaviors.  HIV/AIDS does not discriminate.  It affects people of all ages & backgrounds. WOMEN AND HIV You cannot tell by looking at someone if they are infected with HIV.  There are people walking around who do not even know they are infected, and can infect you.  Common symptoms of HIV are similar to the flu:  swollen glands;  fever;  diarrhea; or  sudden weight loss.   Symptoms in women can be a little different.  Hidden signs in women are:  recurring yeast infections;  abnormal pap smears;  PID (pelvic inflammatory disease); or  genital warts.   You can experience these symptoms without being HIV positive, but you may want to get tested to find out what your status is. HOW CAN WOMANSPLACE HELP YOU? We can help teach you harm reduction methods for preventing HIV; We can help you learn to decrease risky behaviors We can support you in decisions you make; We can provide you with educational materials; We can take you to an anonymous HIV testing site. All services are free and confidential. Counselors represent different ages, sexual orientations, cultures and languages including Spanish Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole. back to Womansplace home page

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