Download 1000th AIDS Case - San Joaquin County Public Health Services

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