HIV Hep C Human Immunodeficiency Virus Hepatitis C

HIV & Hep C (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) & {Hepatitis C} ARE YOU AT RISK?

WHAT ARE HIV AND AIDS? • HIV is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus • It weakens your body’s ability to fight off sickness. • The HIV virus can cause AIDS. • People with AIDs develop serious infections and cancers. • These make them very sick and can eventually kill them.

What is • Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver • About 25% of people diagnosed with Hep C can clear the virus from their system, the other 75% do not clear the virus • Many do not experience symptoms • Causes liver disease that can lead to cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver and liver cancer • There is no vaccination for Hep C • About 170 million infected worldwide- About 3 million Americans infected

How can you get HIV? • HIV is found in blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. • The virus can be passed to others through contact with any of these fluids. • A person with HIV may not know they have it. • They may have the virus for months or years before any signs of illness appear.

How do I • get Hep C? • Blood Products Injection IV drug use – 60% of all new infections • • Sexual intercourse Blood transfusions Needle stick injuries Unknown – 10% of people diagnosed had a unknown risk factor

You may be at risk for HIV and/or Hep C if… You had a blood exposure You inject drugs and/or share needles You have had more than one sex partner You have had sex with someone else who shoots drugs You have unsafe sex (no condom) with someone who has HIV or Hep C • You have unsafe sex (no condom) with anyone that you aren’t certain of their HIV or Hep C status. Remember, people may not know they have HIV or Hep C for years after exposure. • You share needles for tattooing or body piercing • You share toothbrushes, razors, or even nail clippers • • •

HIV and Hep C is NOT transmitted by: Coughing or Sneezing Kissing Touching or hugging Shaking hands Sharing cups, glasses, plates, or utensils • Drinking from public fountain • Being bitten by an insect • • • Working or going to classes with a person who has HIV or Hep C • Eating food prepared by a person with HIV or Hep C • Going to a public pool • Using a public toilet • Using a public telephone

Why should I get tested? • A person can be infected and not know it • A person can have HIV/AIDs or Hep C for years without having symptoms • The only way to be confident you don’t have HIV or Hep C is to be tested • These are diseases that affects men AND women • It’s important to know your results so you don’t infect others • It’s important to know your results so you can receive good medical care

Ora. Quick Oral HIV TEST • Uses a sample of your oral fluid to test for HIV anti-bodies • It is a very accurate test • It takes approximately 2 -3 months to have a detectable viral load in your saliva after possible exposure. • A negative result means no HIV virus. Negative means negative. • A positive result will require further testing…blood samples are collected and sent to the State Lab. • You will get your HIV results in a few days • You may discuss the Hep C test with the provider during your intake physical appointment. This is only HIV testing.

Ora. Quick Hep C Test • Uses a sample of your blood to test for Hep C antibodies • It is a very accurate test • It takes approximately 2 weeks to 6 months, most commonly 6 to 9 weeks, to detectable viral load after possible exposure. • A negative result means no Hep C virus. Negative means negative. • A positive result will require additional blood samples to be collected and sent to the State Lab. • You will get your Hep C results in a few days

TESTING FOR HEP C AND HIV You will be placed on a call out list for the next lab day to be tested for Hep C and HIV. You may also have other labs drawn at that time if there are other labs ordered. Should you have questions please feel free to ask medical staff or kite for more information.

STAY HEALTHY!!