Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
WORLD AIDS DAY 2011: HIV/AIDS & PREVENTION IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS As of December 31, 2010, there have been 1,423 cases of AIDS reported in San Joaquin County since 1983. Of these1423 cases 43.2% were white, 23.8% were African American, and 26.8% were Hispanic. 84.0% of the cases were males and 16.0% were female. The majority of the cases, 98.9%, were adults/adolescents (≥13 years of age at diagnosis); only 1.1%% were pediatric (<13 years of age at diagnosis). There have been 629 deaths for a case-fatality rate of 44.2%. In terms of modes of transmission, the highest percentages of cases have occurred in men who have sex with men (42.9%), in injection drug users (22.6%), through heterosexual contact (16.2%), and in men who have sex with men and also inject drugs (13.1%). As of December 2010 we have 508 HIV reported cases. Of these cases 39.6% are white, 28.1% are African American, 26.2 % are Hispanic, and 4.9% are Asian. 80.7% are male and 19.3% are female. HIV Infection and AIDS: An Overview AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) was first reported in the United States in 1981. It has since become a worldwide epidemic. AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By killing or damaging cells of the body’s immune system, HIV destroys the body’s ability to fight infections and certain cancers. As the HIV infection progresses, other illnesses develop with viruses or bacteria the immune system can no longer fight off. The term AIDS applies to the most advanced stages of HIV infection. It is estimated that as many as 950,000 Americans may be infected with HIV and about onequarter are not aware of their infection. The epidemic is growing most rapidly among minority populations and is a leading cause of death in African American males ages 25-44. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), AIDS affects nearly seven times more African Americans than whites. In San Joaquin County the AIDS rates for African American’s are 2.5x that of Whites, 4x that of Hispanics, and 6.5x that of Asians. The HIV rates for African American’s are 3x that of Whites, 5x that of Hispanics, and 7.5x that of Asians. How Is HIV Transmitted? HIV is spread most commonly from unprotected sex with an infected partner and through injection drug use. Pregnant women who are infected with HIV can transmit it to their babies during pregnancy, during delivery, or through breastfeeding their infant. Health care workers may be exposed to HIV through blood and body fluid exposure, such as through a needle stick injury. Symptoms of HIV Infection Many people do not have any symptoms when they first become infected with HIV. Initially they may have a flu-like illness with fever, headache, tiredness, and enlarged lymph nodes. These symptoms are often mistaken for another viral infection. During this period people are very infectious. Following this mild illness, there may be no symptoms for 10 years or more. During this time the HIV infected person remains infectious and can spread the disease to others. As the disease progresses and the HIV virus attacks the immune cells, other bacterial and viral infections develop that generally do not affect healthy people. These are called opportunistic infections. These infections are often severe and sometimes fatal. This is the advanced stage where the term AIDS is used for the disease. Diagnosis and Treatment A simple blood test for the presence of antibodies (disease-fighting proteins) to HIV can show if someone is infected with the virus. HIV antibodies can be measured in the blood about 3 to 6 months following infection. People who may have been exposed to the virus can get tested through their health care provider. Free and low cost testing is also available in San Joaquin County through San Joaquin County Public Health Services. Early testing can decrease the spread of the virus by allowing the HIV infected person to avoid high-risk behaviors that can spread the virus to others. Also, by getting tested early, people with HIV infection can start treatment to help combat the virus. Prevention Measures Avoiding behaviors that puts one at risk of exposure is essential to prevent infection with HIV. Abstaining from sex until in a long-term relationship with one person can decrease the risk of being infected. Also, the use of male latex condoms or female polyurethane condoms can offer protection during oral, anal, or vaginal sex. Avoid sharing of syringes, needles and other drug equipment if using injection drugs. The risk of HIV transmission from an infected pregnant woman to her baby is significantly reduced if she takes HIV medication during pregnancy, and if her baby takes it for the first six weeks after birth. Therefore it is recommended that all pregnant women have an HIV test. For people who are infected with HIV, avoiding these behaviors is important to prevent transmission of the virus to others. Treatment Programs Accessing HIV treatment programs is a critical for people in the early stages of HIV infection and their partners. This helps HIV infected persons stay healthy and prevents the spread of the disease. Clients will be provided medical assessment and treatment for HIV infection, prevention education, nutritional counseling, case management and other services. For more information on HIV/AIDS and STD Education and Prevention or HIV Antibody Testing in San Joaquin County, please visit the San Joaquin County Public Health Services website at http://www.sjcphs.org or call the Public Health Services HIV/AIDS/STD Program at 209-468-3820. Additional information may be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov or by calling its toll-free telephone number 1-800-232-4636. San Joaquin County World AIDS Day Events on Thursday, December 1, 2011: 1. STD & HIV/AIDS Awareness- African American Community Forum: San Joaquin County Public Health Services HIV/AIDS/STD Program is facilitating this event in conjunction with several community-based organizations. The Community Forum is free; however, an RSVP is required by Wednesday, November 30th. Lunch will be provided for those who RSVP, call 209-468-3891 to register. Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Place: Health Plan of San Joaquin 7751 S. Manthey Road, French Camp, CA 95231 2. San Joaquin AIDS Walk – Candlelight Vigil Time: 6:30 pm Place: University of the Pacific/Morris Chapel 3601 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA