Frequently Asked Questions

AID Atlanta offers the answers to these frequently asked questions on their website:

• Can I tell by symptoms if I am HIV positive or not?
• Are HIV and AIDS the same thing?
• Which body fluids do not transmit HIV and which ones do?
• Isn't abstinence the only real "safe" sex?
• Can I get HIV by just masturbating with my partner?
• Is HIV spread by kissing?
• Can it be risky to perform oral sex on a woman?
• Would performing oral sex on a man be as risky as ... ?
• Are all condoms the same?
• How long after a possible exposure should I wait to be tested ... ?
• How do you use a condom?
• Is the blood supply safe?

Can I tell by symptoms if I am HIV positive or not?

You cannot tell your HIV status by symptoms. Symptoms for HIV may not occur for years after you become infected, so many people who are infected do not know it. Initial symptoms of HIV are very common and may be associated with a variety of illnesses.

If you are feeling sick or having symptoms you should see your doctor. However, if you think you might have been at risk of getting HIV, you must get an HIV test to know if you did become infected or not.

Are HIV and AIDS the same thing?

No. HIV and AIDS are not interchangeable terms, although the media often uses them that way. HIV is a tiny microscopic organism. AIDS is a specific collection of illnesses or diseases caused by having the HIV virus in your body.

A person can have HIV for many years without showing any symptoms of AIDS. Some people have been infected with HIV for 15 years or more without having symptoms. They are considered to be HIV positive. When an HIV positive person develops minor symptoms it may be a sign that the disease is progressing. A doctor would determine, based on the symptoms and certain blood test if the person has AIDS or not.

Which body fluids do not transmit HIV and which ones do?

Saliva, Sweat, Tears, and Urine do not transmit HIV -- But, semen, blood, and vaginal fluids do. Any activity that includes no direct contact with your partner's semen, blood or vaginal fluids is safe. Activities that do involve direct contact with semen, blood, or vaginal fluids are risky. Any precautions that reduce the chance of direct contact with those fluids will make sex safer.

Isn't abstinence the only real "safe" sex?

Yes. That is why we have the term "Safer" Sex. Safer sex is any means of enjoying sex to the fullest without transmitting, or acquiring, any sexually related infections. Safer sex does not mean eliminating sexual passion and intimacy from your life. It just means that you have to be aware of the risk and use the tools available to reduce the risk to a level that both you and your partner feel comfortable with.

Can I get HIV by just masturbating with my partner?

Masturbation is one of the safest sexual activities you can engage in. It is safe for semen or vaginal fluids to contact healthy, unbroken skin in mutual masturbation. Healthy skin (no open cuts or fresh sores) provides very good protection against HIV.

Is HIV spread by kissing?

There is no evidence that saliva transmits HIV. Deep kissing may transmit other sexually transmitted disease but not HIV. Kissing or licking your partner's body will not spread HIV. The only time kissing could be a possible mode of transmission for HIV would be if there was a significant presence of blood in the mouth of the infected person.

Can it be risky to perform oral sex on a woman?

The risk of getting HIV by performing oral sex on a woman is lower than the risk of getting it through vaginal and anal sex. Using a latex square, dental dam, condom cut open or plastic wrap may reduce the risk further. During menstruation the risk may increase because of the presence of blood.

The risk of a woman acquiring HIV by receiving oral sex is extremely low. Some other diseases, such as gonorrhea and herpes may be transmitted during oral sex on a woman.

Would performing oral sex on a man be as risky as anal sex, vaginal sex, or sharing injection drugs?

No. Performing oral sex on a man is lower risk than vaginal and anal sex or sharing injection drugs. However, low risk does not mean no risk. In a man with HIV, both semen and pre-ejaculatory fluid (pre-cum) which contain the virus could be introduced into the mouth, so merely stopping before he ejaculates may not eliminate the risk.

Using a condom for oral sex on a man reduces the risk of getting HIV. The risk of a man getting HIV by receiving oral sex is very low. Some other diseases, such as gonorrhea and herpes may be transmitted by giving oral sex to a man.

Are all condoms the same?

No. There are many options available in brands, styles, colors, flavors, and lubrication. Latex condoms are most effective at preventing HIV transmission, when used properly. Natural skin or animal membrane condoms do not prevent HIV transmission.

Be aware that many condoms, french ticklers, glow in the dark, etc. are sold as novelty items and are not intended to prevent infection of any disease. Condoms do not provide 100 percent protection against HIV, but they are highly effective if they are used properly each time you have sex.

How long after a possible exposure should I wait to be tested to know for sure that I am not HIV infected?

The tests used to determine HIV infection look for antibodies produced by the body to fight HIV. According to the CDC, most people will develop detectable antibodies within 3 months after infection. In rare cases, it can take up to six months. A test at least 3 months after the last possible exposure should be highly accurate. However, the CDC recommends testing again at 6 months, just to be sure.

How do you use a condom?

Always leave a space at the tip to receive the semen. Put a drop of water-based lubricant inside the tip of the condom to increase pleasure. Do not use oil-based lubricants as they can cause the latex to break. Put the condom on the erect penis before any contact with the other person.

If the penis is uncircumcised (uncut), pull back the foreskin before rolling the condom down. Unroll the condom slowly all the way down the shaft of the penis, making sure to remove any air bubbles and inspect for holes. Have a spare condom handy, just in case. Use only water-based lubricants. Also apply water-based lubricant to the vagina or anus in addition to the lubrication applied to the outside of the condom to further reduce the chance of breakage.

After ejaculation, carefully pull the penis out while it is still erect, hold onto the base of the condom to prevent slipping. Be careful not to spill the semen. Dispose of the used condom. Never re-use condoms!

Is the blood supply safe?

The United States blood supply is among the safest in the world. In 1985, technology made it possible to test donated blood for HIV. Virtually all people infected with HIV through blood transfusion or blood products received them before 1985. Potential blood donors must undergo strict screening test prior to being accepted as donors.

Anyone that is determined to be at high risk for HIV is rejected. Blood and blood products are carefully tested and are safely disposed of if they prove to contain the HIV virus. At the present time, the risk of HIV transmission through receiving a blood transfusion or blood products in the United States is very rare and continues to become more infrequent even in areas with high prevalence of HIV.

Make the Most of Your Doctor Visit

How many times have you been to the doctor’s office, been poked and prodded, leaving with a prescription, only to recall all of the  things you didn’t ask? Or maybe something the doctor said you did not quite understand? Next time, make the most of the visit with a few strategic tips.

Take an active role in your medical care and treatment

• Listen intentionally to what the doctor says during all doctor visits, and be proactive with taking notes.
• Do some research on your own and you may just need to talk to more than one healthcare professional
• COMMUNICATE! Share important information with your doctor – such as other medications and supplements you take, whether you have claustrophobia, and how you handle your symptoms.
• Learn your treatment options and work with your healthcare professional to customize your treatment plan.

Read more...

Source: Healthy Black Men

Finding a Cure for HIV

China Photos/Getty Images

Recently, The Week had an interesting article on finding a cure for HIV:

Why scientists can't kill HIV

It mutates so quickly, it's hard to figure out what anchor a drug
or vaccine can latch onto

By Roxanne Palmer, World Science Festival | August 1, 2014

Humanity's war against the HIV has been a constantly shifting battle, thanks to the wily nature of the virus. But humans, being quite wily themselves, have persevered in the search for a cure despite setback after setback. Recently, scientists found a way to snip HIV's genetic code out from the genomes of infected cells. The technique's only been tried in cultured cells so far, but it could represent a powerful new weapon in the arsenal against AIDS.

But just what makes HIV such a formidable foe?

Read more...

Choose HEALTH

Did you know that more than 300,000 preventable emergency room visits occur in our 13-county region each year? Through our Choose HEALTH program, United Way seeks to improve the health status of the working poor and other uninsured residents by reducing the number of ER visits and connecting individuals to a health care provider.

The Choose HEALTH program utilizes community health workers (CHW) to provide home visitation, health education and care coordination services to individuals who have been identified as frequent users of the hospital ER. Partners in this initiative include Grady Memorial Hospital, Saint Joseph’s Mercy Care, Family Health Centers of Georgia, Southside Medical Center and Oakhurst Medical Center.

The goal of Choose HEALTH is to place individuals on a path toward overall health and independence. In addition, CHWs may accompany participants to their medical appointments and assist them with asking questions about their health so they can be better advocates for themselves and work with their provider to improve their health.

The CHWs are trained professionals that can visit program participants in their homes to provide health education and share disease management techniques for those who suffer from common diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma. The pilot group of 20 patients visited the ER 136 times during the first six months of the program. In the last 90 days – with the support of the CHWs – ER visits have decreased to 13.

Saving Capitalism

John Hope Bryant's newest book, "How the Poor Can Save Capitalism," redefines poverty and transforms the perception of the poor as a drain on society to an engine of growth. Join the movement to help #savecapitalism. #P5117

Visit Operation Hope for more financial resources, including a mortgage hotline, financial literacy, and 700 credit score communities.

Silence The Growl Project

United Way of Atlanta has launched the Silence the Growl Project to end child hunger problems in Atlanta.

United Way of Greater Atlanta believes our community is a place where all individuals and families should thrive. Our mission is to engage all segments of our community to drive sustainable change in education, income, health and homelessness, while continuing to address urgent and basic human care.

HELP US SILENCE THE GROWL. During the school year 363,421 children across Greater Atlanta participate in a free or reduced school meal program. In just a few short weeks, summer break will begin and many will be without a free breakfast and/or lunch program. Some will receive food through a summer program, and others will not. More than 300,000 children in our community will be hungry this summer. We can’t end it, but together we can silence it. Our goal is to provide at least 12,000 meals during the upcoming summer break. Helping is easy: purchase as many meals as you can, share the cause through your social media channels, challenge 10 other people to join in the cause and promote via #silencethegrowl. NO CHILD SHOULD GO HUNGRY THIS SUMMER. 

United Way had a goal of raising $30,000 through June 12th. Visit this website to learn more about how you can continue to help throughout the summer.

Super Foods

Source: Healthy Black Men

We often hear that eating the right foods will improve our health. Super foods like blueberries, nuts and spinach are often mentioned. But what are the real super foods that you should be eating?

The website Healthy Black Men recently posted this article:

Food such as blueberries, nuts or spinach are often referred to as “super foods” because they are rich in particular nutrients, but the label has no scientific meaning according to some researchers.

Study author Jennifer Di Noia, an associate professor of sociology at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey, said national nutrition guidelines emphasize consumption of“powerhouse fruits and vegetables” known as PFV — foods most strongly associated with reduced chronic disease risk — but efforts to define PFV “were lacking.”

Di Noia and colleagues developed and validated a classification system to define PFV as foods providing, on average, 10 percent or more daily value of 17 qualifying nutrients per 100-calorie serving — potassium, fiber, protein, calcium, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, zinc, and vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E and K.

Of 47 foods studied, 41 satisfied their powerhouse definition and were more nutrient-dense than were non-PFV.

Watercress with a score of 100 was at the top of the list followed by, Chinese cabbage: 91.99; chard: 89.27; beet greens: 87.08; spinach: 86.43; chicory: 73.36; leaf lettuce: 70.73; parsley: 65.59; romaine lettuce: 63.48 and collard greens: 62.49.

At the bottom of the list were: winter squash 13.89; orange: 12.91; lime: 12.23; pink and red grapefruit: 11.64; rutabaga: 11.58; turnip: 11.43; blackberry: 11.39; leek: 10.69; sweet potato: 10.51 and white grapefruit: 10.47.

“The proposed classification scheme is offered as a tool for nutrition education and dietary guidance,” the authors wrote in the study.

Of 47 foods studied, raspberry, tangerine, cranberry, garlic, onion and blueberry did not satisfy the powerhouse criterion.

A nutrient density score was calculated for each food — the numerator was a nutrient adequacy score calculated as the mean of percent daily values for the qualifying nutrients and the denominator was the energy density of the food (calories).

Click here to see the original article.