• H - Human, because this virus can only infect human beings
• I - Immuno-deficiency, because the effect of the virus is to create a deficiency, a failure in the normal function of the immune system
• V - Virus, because the organism is a virus, which means one of its characteristics is that it is incapable of reproducing by itself. It needs a living cell to reproduce.

• A - Acquired; it is an acquired condition or infection, not something transmitted or inherited through the genes.
• I - Immune; it affects the body's immune system, that part of the body which is responsible for protecting the body from germs such as bacteria, fungi and viruses.
• D - Deficiency; it makes the immune system deficient (does not work properly).
• S - Syndrome; someone with AIDS may experience a wide range of different diseases and opportunistic infections.

The earliest known case of HIV was from a blood sample collected in 1959 from a man in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We do know that the virus has existed in the United States since at least the mid-to-late 1970s.

From 1979-1981 doctors in Los Angeles and New York were reporting rare types of pneumonia, cancer, and other illnesses among a number of gay male patients. These were conditions not usually found in people with healthy immune systems.

Please visit the Department of Public Health's Sexually Transimitted Disease Program for more information.
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/std/

• Unprotected sexual intercourse (anal, vaginal, oral).
• Sharing of injection drug paraphernalia - including needles, syringes, cookers, and other injection equipment.
• From an infected woman to her fetus (vertical or perinatal transmission), or to her child through infected breast milk (neonatal transmission).
• Through other direct exposure to infected blood or needle sticks (occupational transmission) or tattoos or piercing with non-sterile equipment.

Please visit the Department of Public Health's Sexually Transmitted Disease Program for more information.
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/std/

• Never reuse or share syringes, water, or drug preparation equipment.
• Only use syringes obtained from a reliable source (such as pharmacies or needle exchange programs).
• Use a new, sterile syringe to prepare and inject drugs.
• Use a new or disinfected container (cooker) and new cotton to prepare drugs.
• Safely dispose syringes after one use.

If you are pregnant it is important that you get tested for HIV. If you are infected with HIV, there are treatments available that greatly reduce the chances that your baby will be born with HIV.

The main workplace HIV transmission risk for health care workers is through needle sticks and accidental injuries from other sharp instruments that may be contaminated with the virus. Even this risk is small.

Scientists estimate that the risk of infection from a needle jab is less than 1 percent, a figure based on the findings of several studies of health care workers who received punctures from HIV-contaminated needles or were otherwise exposed to HIV-contaminated blood. It is important to remember that casual, everyday contact with an HIV-infected person does not expose healthcare workers or anyone else to HIV.

According to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the female condom also offers protection against HIV and may be used when a male condom can not be used appropriately.

Remember, all condoms should be stored in a dry cool place.

Lubricants that should never be used with condoms include petroleum jelly, baby oil, cooking oil, hand lotion, massage oil, or face creams. Condoms should also be stored in a dry cool place.

In California, persons accused of or incarcerated for certain crimes may be tested for HIV without giving consent. Courts may order an HIV test in which a crime has been committed where victims may have been exposed to HIV infected blood.

People applying for a new or renewal of a license as a professional boxer or martial artist must present evidence of HIV negative status within 30 days of application for the license.

People who apply for immigrant visas to the U.S. are also required to document HIV negative status.

Finally, the U.S. military, Peace Corps and other government agencies require that people wanting to join these agencies produce proof of HIV status before the applicant will be hired or enlisted.

• Any time a written copy of test results with identifying information is needed;
• for immigration reasons;
• and to obtain treatment for HIV disease.

*Transudate is a fluid that passes through a membrane which filters out much of the protein and cellular elements to yield a watery solution. A transudate is due to increased pressure in the veins and capillaries forcing fluid through the vessel walls. It is a filtrate of blood. The transudated fluid accumulates in tissues outside the blood vessels.

If your exposure was less than six months ago, then you are in the window period and you should take the test again at the six month mark after that exposure.

A negative test result does not mean you are immune to HIV, that you have resistance to the virus, or that you will never get HIV or AIDS. You should go in for an HIV test any time you have a possible exposure to HIV (between three to six months after each possible exposure).

A positive test result does not mean:

• You have AIDS.
• You will necessarily get AIDS.
• You are immune to AIDS, even though you have antibodies.

• If you know you are HIV-positive, you can take advantage of immune system monitoring and early treatment and intervention.
• By taking the test, you can find out whether or not you can infect others.
• Regardless of the result, testing often increases your commitment to overall good health habits.
• If you test negative, you may feel less anxious after testing.
• Women and their partners considering pregnancy can take advantage of treatments that potentially prevent transmission of HIV to the baby.
• Counseling can provide a critical opportunity to assist you in identifying your risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV.
• Counseling also provides an opportunity to negotiate and reinforce a plan to reduce or eliminate HIV risk.

• Taking the HIV antibody test is a stressful event, regardless of the results.
• Disclosures of an antibody test result, or sometimes the disclosure that a person even took the test, may lead to discrimination, stigmatization and violence.

Detailed information on specific treatments is also available from the HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Service (ATIS) at 1-800-448-0440.

You can obtain information on enrolling in clinical trials from the AIDS Clinical Trials Information Services (ACTIS) at 1-800-874-2572 (English and Spanish) and 1-800-243-7012 (TTY).

The Hotline can provide general information about HIV/AIDS and referrals to national treatment hotlines, local AIDS organizations, and HIV/AIDS-knowledgeable health care providers. The Hotline numbers are 1-800-367-2437 (English), 1-800-344-7432 (Spanish), and 1-800-243-7889 (TTY).

HIV testing and counseling provides an opportunity for HIV positive women to find out they are infected and to gain access to medical treatment that may help to delay disease progression. For women that are not infected, HIV counseling provides an opportunity to learn important prevention information to reduce the possibility of future exposures.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing accommodations based on disability. California law further guarantees equal access to housing accommodations offered for rent, lease, or compensation. In addition, it provides that when transferring real property, owners or their agents need not disclose that an occupant had HIV.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) also requires that your employer make reasonable accommodations for you because of your HIV status. The only way an employer can be exempted from providing you with reasonable accommodations for your disability is if he/she can show that to do so would impose an undue hardship on his/her business.

Fair Employment and Housing Commission regulations establish that disabled persons include individuals with HIV infection or AIDS, or who are perceived as having AIDS. In addition, the regulation prohibits use of public health records pertaining to AIDS to determine employability.

The ADA is the most significant piece of civil rights legislation in the past 20 years and was developed specifically to include HIV discrimination in the workplace. It states that no covered employer can discriminate against you because of your HIV status, as long as you are able to perform the essential functions of your job.

However there are laws which make it a felony for persons infected with HIV to transmit HIV to others if 1) they know they are infected 2) have unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse and/or share needles 3) fail to disclose their status to their partner and 4) have the intent to infect their partner with HIV.

In the case of an incompetent person, the person's parents, guardian, conservators or other persons legally authorized to make health care decisions can give written consent for an HIV test.

U.S military service enlistees and new legal immigrants to the United States are tested without consent, however, it could be argued that joining the military and applying to be a citizen of the U.S. is a voluntary activity.