Chicago Patient Handbook 2023 - 41

Basic HIV/AIDS Information
What is HIV?
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. This is
the virus that can cause AIDS if left untreated. The virus
is passed by contact with certain body fluids, including
blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast/chest milk.
What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome
and is a condition in which the body's immune system
is so badly damaged by HIV that it is left vulnerable to
infection and certain types of cancers.
How is HIV passed from one
person to another?
People get HIV from coming in contact with infected
body fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or
breast/chest milk. Most of the time, people are infected
with HIV through unprotected sexual contact, injection
drug use, or birthing parent-to-child transmission.
How does HIV cause AIDS?
HIV infects specific cells, called T-cells or CD4 cells, in
the immune system. It uses these cells to make more
copies of itself and then destroys them. If enough of these
cells are destroyed, the body becomes highly vulnerable
to infections and certain types of cancers. AIDS is usually
diagnosed when a person has specific types of infections
or cancer or when the number of infection-fighting cells
in the body drops below a certain level.
How can I tell if I'm infected
with HIV?
The only way to be sure about your HIV status is to
take an HIV test. This test will determine whether
you are producing antibodies to HIV. If you are, you
will be diagnosed as " HIV-positive. " If not, you will
be diagnosed as " HIV-negative. " HIV tests are very
accurate-but you may need to be tested more than
once. It takes time for your body to begin producing
HIV antibodies after you have been infected. If you
take a test soon after you are infected, you might test
negative for HIV when you are actually HIV-positive. If
you aren't sure when you might have been exposed to
HIV, be sure to discuss the option of retesting with your
health care provider or an HIV testing counselor.
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Should I get tested?
The CDC recommends that all Americans ages 13-64 be
routinely tested for HIV in health care settings. (In other
words, you should take an HIV test in the same way
you have routine blood testing done during your annual
physical exam.) But most of the time, people are tested
based on their risk factors. You are considered at risk for
HIV if:
* You have had unprotected sexual contact (oral, anal,
or vaginal).
* You have had multiple sexual partners.
* You have had another sexually transmitted infection.
* You have used injection drugs.
* You received a blood transfusion or a blood-clotting
factor between 1978 and 1985.
There are some other risk factors, but these are the
major ones. Talk to your primary care provider or an
HIV testing counselor to determine your risk level and
whether you may need an HIV test.
If you wish to be tested while in treatment, please notify
medical staff to arrange a pretest conference and to
schedule testing. Information on testing options, pre/
post testing counseling, and other HIV-related services
throughout the state of Illinois can be found by calling
the AIDS/HIV & STD Hotline: 800-243-2437. If you
wish to be tested after you have completed treatment,
contact your health department, doctor, Employee
Assistance Provider, or the National AIDS Hotline,
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) about the location of
testing sites near you
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
What are sexually transmitted
infections?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections
you can get by having sex with someone who has
an infection. These infections are usually passed by
having intercourse, but they can also be passed through
anal sex, oral sex, or skin-to-skin contact. STIs can be
caused by viruses or bacteria. STIs caused by viruses
include hepatitis B, herpes, HIV, and the human
papilloma virus (HPV). STIs caused by bacteria include
chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
Chicago Patient Handbook 2023

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