The commonly called AIDS test is actually a search for HIV antibodies. If antibodies are found, the patient is given an HIV positive diagnosis, which means he/she has the virus that causes AIDS.
An AIDS diagnosis reflects the progression of the HIV virus to the point that the person has a certain type of AIDS opportunistic infection or the immune system has suffered a significant loss of cells.
The Center for Disease Control recommends that the test be taken three months after the date of exposure for greatest reliability.
For more information, interested persons can call 1-800-FLA-AIDS.
Agency: AIDS Confidential Testing FastCost: $129Turn Around: 2-3 working daysPhone: 1-800-584-8183
Agency: FAMU ClinicCost; $20.69Turn Around: 10 working daysPhone: 599-3777
Agency: State Health DepartmentCost: $20Turn Around: 2-3 weeksPhone: 488-2223
The Home Access Test, which can be purchased at drug stores, allows people to take his/her own blood sample and send it to a lab for testing. The test is FDA approved, and costs around $45.
– -compiled by Sarah Vinson
Source: www.tcrs211.org/hiv/testing
More than 65 million people are currently living with the incurable sexually transmitted disease
Fifteen million people become infected with one or more STDs each year, half of whom contract lifelong infections
The most common STDs in the United States are chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and genital herpes.
Rates of gonorrhea are highest in females 15 to 19 years old and in males 20 to 24 years old.
Among women under the age of 25, studies have found that 28 to 46 percent are typically infected with HIV.
Between 15 to 20 percent of young men and women have become infected with herpes by the time they reach adulthood.Sources: www.cdc.gov
How effective are latex condoms in preventing HIV?
Studies have found that even with repeated sexual contact, 98 to 100 percent of those who use latex condems correctly and consisetently did not become infected.
Can a person get HIV from getting a tattoo or through body piercing?
The risk of HIV transmission does exist if instruments contaminated with blood are either not sterilized or disinfected or are used inappropriately between clients.
Can a person get infected with HIV from mosquitoes?
No.
Can a person get HIV from performing oral sex or having oral sex performed on him/her?
Yes, it is possible for you to become infected with HIV through performing oral sex.
Can I get HIV from anal sex?Yes, it is possible for either sex partner to become infected with HIV during anal sex.
– -compiled by Sarah VinsonSources: www.cdc.gov