The Purpose of our Blog

       Copyright 2014 by Sun Star

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a real public health threat in the United States, and HIV prevention and education efforts are urgent.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2014) reports an estimated 1.2 million Americans live with HIV/AIDS, and about 50,000 become infected with the virus every year.  According to Holtgrave, Maulsby, Wehrmeyer, and Hall (2012), 49% of the new cases are from infected people who are unaware of their HIV positive status, whereas 51% are transmitted by diagnosed people practicing high-risk behavior.  This health promotion initiative is aimed at preventing the spread of new HIV/AIDS infections through quick self-testing, self-reporting to medical care, and effective risk prevention education.

The best way to take control is to get tested and get properly educated about different modes of HIV transmission and proper ways to better protect yourself and your loved ones from any possible infections.  Additionally, controlling the spread of HIV in the United States requires both local and international approaches because with globalization and increased travel, infections and diseases have no borders.

Written by: G. Hyacinthe

HIV Transmission through Risky Sexual Behaviors

Copyright 2014 by AIDS.GOV

Practicing safe sex and knowing one’s HIV status are critical components of sexual maturity. Monogamy is also an essential consideration that helps to promote low-risk sexual behavior. Sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV compromise the immune system and, if untreated, can be fatal. Furthermore, people with HIV/AIDS often face judgement and social stigmas. The perception of being positive is often imposed on high-risk groups such as intravenous drug users, sex workers, and homosexual men (Pappas et al., 2014). Any persons participating in unproteced sex ought to
reconsider the health ramifactions. Developing good sexual habits includes the mandatory use of condoms and lubricant. Regular screening and ongoing testing for hepatitis B and C is highly recommended if practicing risky sexual behavior (Massey, 2014). The high-risk practice of unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse with multiple partners is sexually immature. The protection of oneself and sex partners from infectious diseases such as HIV is necessary for whole person health and wellness.

Written by D. Gooden

Lower your Sexual Risk of HIV (AIDS.GOV)

HIV Transmission Through Intravenous Drugs Use

Intravenous (IV) drug use is the third highest cause of transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (Karon, Song, Brookmeyer, Kaplan, & Hall, 2008). The number of HIV infections secondary to IV drug use may be under estimated because of the illicit nature of drugs and the stigma attached to their use (Mathers et al., 2008). IV drug users may fear legal action or reprisal from their suppliers, making true data collection difficult (Des Jarlais & Semaan, 2008). The sharing of needles has been shown to introduce HIV infection rapidly into the body (Des Jarlais & Semaan, 2008). The combination of risky behavior, namely unprotected sexual practices, along with IV drug use is a potentially deadly combination for spreading HIV. This is made worse by the fact that over 20% of persons with HIV are unaware they are infected (Marks, Crepaz, & Janssen, 2006) and may continue their behavior oblivious to their status. In addition to HIV, infections such as Hepatitis B and C are spread by sharing of needles (Aitken et al., 2008). Needle exchange programs have been implemented with some success, however they are legal in only 24 states, which may present barriers to efforts to reduce infections spread by needle sharing (Miles, 2014).

It is important that you know your HIV status. Have you been tested for HIV? If so, when was the last time and how many unprotected sexual encounters or times have you used IV drugs since then? You may get tested by contacting your local health department. In the event your test is positive, there are very effective treatments available. HIV is not curable, but people with the HIV infection can live long and productive lives (Burgoyne & Tan, 2008).

If you are using IV drugs, it is important that you not use a needle used by someone else, nor should you share your needle with someone. Do you know for certain that the persons who have used the needle you are using to inject are HIV negative? If you are going to use IV drugs, you should use a sterile needle to protect yourself, your loved ones and those with whom you associate. Contact your county health department to see if there is a needle exchange program. They will also provide you with information about services that you are eligible for to treat your drug use habit.

Copyright 2014 by AIDS.GOV

Unprotected sex, with members of the opposite or your sex, puts you at risk for contracting HIV or transmitting it if you are HIV positive. Whatever your sexual preference, it is important that you protect yourself and your partner by using condoms. Monogamous sex (one partner) is the best way to reduce your risk of contracting or transmitting HIV through sex (Abdool Karim, Sibeko, & Baxter, 2010). Of course it is also important you both know your HIV status.

Efforts to reduce HIV transmission among those who use IV drugs requires a multi-prong effort. This includes reaching out to those who use IV drugs and offering testing and referral to treatment both if they test positive for HIV, and treatment for their drug addiction. A clean needle distribution or exchange program, along with education about how to reduce the risk of contracting or spreading the disease is important. There is no evidence to suggest that clean needle distribution worsens IV drug use (Des Jarlais & Semaan, 2008). Educational initiatives about safe needle use, also offers opportunities to educate the individual about the risk involved with unprotected sex and the potential proliferation of HIV among those who have more than one risk factor for the disease (Des Jarlais & Semaan, 2008).

Written by P. Fenn

Substance Abuse Treatment (CDC.GOV)

HIV Transmission from Mother to Baby

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are at increased risk of transmitting the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to their children (Chasela et al., 2010). A baby may be infected with HIV while in utero, during delivery, or when breast feeding (Magder et al., 2005). If the mother does have HIV, and is either pregnant or seeking to become pregnant, she should immediately consult her obstetrician for guidance. Depending on her viral load and CD4 T-Cell count, she may be a candidate for anti-retroviral treatment (ART). The use of ART has been shown to reduce the incidence of transmission of the virus between mother and child (Schouten et al., 2011).

Thousands of children get infected by HIV every year. The primary way children get infected is by Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT) during breastfeeding, mostly in developing countries. According to Horvath et al. (2009), there are three main prevention methods of breastfeeding transmission of HIV which include "complete avoidance of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding,

Copyright 2014 by CDC

and antiretroviral prophylaxis to the breastfeeding infant" (p. 13). Unfortunately, due to the cost of formula some mothers do not believe eliminating breastfeeding is feasible. Also, because most transmissions occur in developing countries it is important to remember the use of formula with water in these countries has a higher risk of illness due to contaminated water (Horvath et al., 2009).

Knowing one’s HIV status is important because people who don’t know their status are more likely to transmit the virus to others (Marks, Crepaz, & Janssen, 2006), including their unborn child. Should one have a positive HIV test, further evaluation, including amount of the virus and the status of one’s immune system, and steps to reduce exposure to others should be done as soon as possible. Medications such as ART, not only treat HIV, but also may protect an unborn child or child that is breast feeding from acquiring the virus (Schouten et al., 2011).

Written by P. Fenn, & B. Gustavus

HIV Among Pregnant Women, Infants, and Children (CDC.GOV)

HIV Transmission through Occupational Exposures of Blood and Body Fluids

Although the risk of HIV transmission through occupational exposures to blood and body fluids is reported at less than 1% by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2014), the risk still remains with each needle stick injury or splash exposures, as long as HIV is not eradicated.  Work- related needle stick injuries have been reported at a rate of about three per 100 full-time

Copyright 2014 by the CDC

equivalents with an alarming 50% of unreported cases (Upjohn, Stuart, Korman, & Woolley, 2012). Furthermore, Katz (2012) reported that about 385,000 needle stick injuries occur among health care workers every year in the United States.  The majority of exposures are due to a failure to follow standard safety protocols and guidelines such as using proper personal protective equipment (PPE).

Effective prevention approaches to workplace exposure to blood and body fluids should include (a) established hospital-wide standardized safety guidelines, (b) mandatory education to all healthcare workers about the importance of following proper work safety practices, using universal precaution guidelines, and treating all body fluids as potentially infectious, and (c) reinforcement of appropriate use of PPEs, including proper engineering controls, such as shields, goggles, and hoods, especially for laboratory personnel.  Collaborative efforts between organizational leaders and employees are essential at promoting healthy and safe workplace practices.

Written by G. Hyacinthe

Occupational HIV Transmission and Prevention Among Health Care Workers (CDC.GOV)

HIV in Jamaica: An International View

In Jamaica, HIV is primarily transmitted through sexual intercourse as seen with 91% of cases with a known transmission category. The Ministry of Health Jamaica (2013) noted that among all reported adult AIDS cases for whom data about sexual practices are available (71% of cases), heterosexual practice is reported by almost 94% of persons. It is estimated that 30,313 persons are living with HIV, but approximately 28% are unaware of their status. Between January 1982 and December 2013, thirty-one thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight (31,898) cases of HIV were reported to the Ministry of Health. Of these 31,898 persons, 9,056 (28.4 %) are known to be deceased.

Copyright 2014 by News Americas
Kingston, Jamaica

Stigma and discrimination, particularly in relation to the most-vulnerable populations, prevents them from accessing relevant health information and services. The Jamaican Government has initiated a number of health promotion initiatives to combat stigma and discrimination of persons living with HIV.

The Jamaican National HIV response, which is a body in the Ministry of Health consists of more than 100 stakeholders from the government of Jamaica, government ministries, non-governmental organizations, private sector groups and international development partners. According to the Ministry of Health Jamaica (2010), these stakeholders have identified four priority areas (prevention, treatment care and support, enabling environment and empowerment and governance) which are part of the National Strategic Plan for Jamaica to reduce the incidences of HIV in the country.

HIV prevention efforts in Jamaica have been extremely robust over the past several years largely due to resources from the Global Fund, which finances over 90% of the national response. With the impending reduction in Global Fund resources due to Jamaica’s middle income classification, there are aggressive attempts by the government to ensure sustainability of the program (United Nations Population Fund, 2014).

Written by J. Fallah

Caribbean Regional Office (CDC.GOV)

HIV Testing and Follow-up Care

One of the most successful prevention methods of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is testing. HIV affects 1.2 million people in the United States with 50,000 new cases diagnosed per year (CDC, 2014). Since there is still a significant amount of new cases each year, focus has been on making different populations aware of their status. Why is the status of HIV important in preventing the spread of HIV? 97% of the population that know their HIV status take precautions and do not transmit the virus (Holtgrave, Maulsby, Wehrmeyer, & Hall, 2012).

        Copyright 2015 by the FDA

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2015), 20% of the HIV infected population are unaware of their status. The first step of preventing the spread of HIV is testing. Testing can be done in several ways. In 2003, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA, 2015) approved a self-testing kit called OraQuick. One reason the risk population use the self-testing kit is because it can be purchased at several different retail stores or online and used in the privacy of their home. The test is purchased for approximately $30-$40 and results can be read in 20-40 minutes (FDA, 2015).

The test requires several easy steps. According to the FDA (2015), a sample of fluid is taken from the mouth by a swab provided in the kit. Once the swab is saturated with fluid, place the swab in the developing solution. Wait 20-40 minutes or until results appear. One line signifies a negative result and two lines signify the presence of antibodies to the HIV virus in the saliva. The last step in the process is to receive a confirmation laboratory test at a local physician’s office.

If the test appears to be positive the participant can call the OraQuick counseling center which is available 24 hours per day and also assists in referring to an Infectious Disease Specialist (FDA, 2015) for confirmation of testing and care. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS, 2015), the population should be tested at least once in their lifetime and the high-risk population should be screened at least yearly.

Written by B. Gustavus