Brush Arbor Press

Brush Arbor Press
Chicago
info@brusharborpress.com

In a World With HIV/AIDS

A world with HIV/AIDS means we live in wonder. We wonder if our loved ones have the information they need to protect themselves. We wonder if we should be screened for HIV. We wonder if we are in a monogamous relationship.

Here you will read my responses to some of the questions that I have been most frequently asked during my years in HIV/AIDS ministry. I share them with you in hopes that they will help provide some answers and help spark some discussions.

Feel free to email me if your questions are not represented here. All correspondence will be confidential and all emails will come directly to me.

Deborah Elandus Lake

When should I be screened for HIV?

If you have never been tested, today is the day. If you have been tested and engage in risky sexual activity or have been exposed to the bodily fluids of another person, it is time to get tested again. The CDC recommends:

HIV screening patients in all health-care settings after the patient is notified that testing will be performed (also recommended is opt-out screening).
Persons at high risk for HIV infection should be screened for HIV at least annually.
Separate written consent for HIV testing should not be required; general consent for medical care should be considered sufficient to encompass consent for HIV testing.
Prevention counseling should not be required with HIV diagnostic testing or as part of HIV screening programs in health-care settings.

How do I know if my partner has been screened?

Anyone screened for HIV receives confidential notification that indicates status.

Can I tell if I have HIV or AIDS witout being screened?

No. While there may be physical indicators when someone has HIV/AIDS, more than likely, you will feel and look fine.

Where do I get screened?

Your primary care physician is one place to start. You can also contact your city or county clinic.

At what age should I have my first screening?

If you are sexually active, you should be screened.

Is there a cure for AIDS?

No. HIV and AIDS can be treated, and the life expectancy has increased with new developments in care, but there is no cure for AIDS and no vaccine to stop the spread of HIV.

If I use a condom or dental dam does that mean that I cannot get HIV?

No. Using a condom or dental dam means that your chances are greatly reduced, but the only way to be absolutely sure is to abstain from having sex with another person, or from engaging in other activities that involve the exchange of body fluids.

Brush Arbor Press
Chicago
info@brusharborpress.com