HIV, AIDS and Young People August 2010 Meera Beharry, MD, FAAP Division of Adolescent Medicine University of Rochester Medical Center ACT for Youth Center of Excellence Cornell University Family Life Development Center Cornell University Cooperative Extension of New York City New York State Center for School Safety University of Rochester Medical Center Div. of Adolescent Medicine

Objectives  Adolescent HIV/AIDS basic information  How you get it; How you avoid getting it  Screening, Testing and Treatment

HIV: What is it? V  Human Immunodeficiency Virus; RNA retrovirus  Causes AIDS (Acquired Immuno- Deficiency Syndrome)  HIV 1 most common in the world  HIV 2 found primarily in Central Africa  Destroys CD4 T “helper” cells

AIDS: What is it?  Advanced stage of HIV infection with severely damaged immune system  At risk for unusual (“opportunistic”) infections, damage to the brain and nervous system, and some cancers  Timing of untreated HIV progressing to AIDS can vary

HIV Time Course Without Treatment

HIV: How do you get it?  Direct contact with infected body fluids  Blood (“dirty” needles—drugs, tattoo, etc.)  Semen (oral, vaginal, anal sex)  Vaginal secretions (oral, vaginal sex)  Breast milk of infected mother  Can only tell if a person has HIV with testing  HIV is NOT transmitted…  Saliva, tears or sweat!!!  On surfaces with intact skin (e.g. toilet seats, telephones)  Through sterile needles used for blood testing, blood transfusion, vaccinations, etc.

Quiz: Risk Behaviors?  Sex without a condom  Getting a tattoo  Sharing a drink  Getting a vaccine  Breast-feeding  Working in a hospital

MSM

55%

Screening and Testing  Confidential testing  Preliminary Screening  Rapid testing of oral fluid or drop of blood  Positive screen must be confirmed by blood test  Confirmatory Testing  Negative test = person does not have HIV  Positive test = person has HIV

Screening and Testing NYS DOH HIV Counseling and Testing Resource Directory (01/08 Update )

Summary of HIV and AIDS (1 of 2)  HIV is acquired through direct contact with infected body fluids of a person who has HIV.  Untreated, HIV destroys the body’s immune system, leading to AIDS (serious infections, organ failure and death).  High-risk categories:  Males who have sex with other males are at highest risk.  Sex without condoms

Summary of HIV and AIDS ( 2 of 2 )  Avoid high-risk behaviors to avoid HIV, especially unhealthy sexual behaviors.  Screening is reliable and results can be obtained quickly; Testing takes longer but is definite.  Treatment with multiple medications is able to stop the progression of HIV replication in the body, but requires compliance with therapy.

Resources  CDC:  NYS DOH AIDS Institute:  100 questions and answers about HIV/AIDS  (Español)  NYC DOH/Mental Health:  Or call: AIDS (English) SIDA (Español)

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