National HIV Testing Day

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Article featured in Avatar - Volume 3, Issue 12 (June 2010).

National HIV Testing Day
by Marie (Rie)

June 27th 2010 is National HIV Testing Day, or NHTD. NHTD aims to increase awareness of HIV and AIDS and to encourage early testing. It is estimated that one in five people in the US are unaware of whether or not they have HIV. Lack of care and the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS can make it difficult for those in need to get appropriate health care and may discourage others from being tested. Around 11% of HIV infections are seen in babies who have acquired the virus from their mothers, 10% from injecting drugs, 5-10% from sex between men, and 5-10% in health care settings. The remaining proportion accounts for sex between men and women, of which a disproportionately high percentage of reported cases are among young women of color.* Estimates from the UNAIDS 2009 AIDS Epidemic Update states that around 31.3 million adults and 2.1 million children were living with HIV at the end of 2008.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the immune system cells. As time passes, HIV gradually destroys these cells leaving the body vulnerable and prone to infections, which it struggles to fight off. AIDS can be diagnosed when the number of immune system cells in the blood of an HIV positive person drops below a certain level. Your body can't make as many anti-bodies, which is what are needed to fight off infection. When the immune system is deemed too weak to fight infection, the person is said to have Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS.

HIV can be passed on through bodily fluids such as blood or semen. Most commonly it is transmitted through sexual contact. It can also be passed on through needles, including those used for tattooing and body piercing, blood transfusions, childbirth and breastfeeding. There are many misconceptions surrounding how you can get HIV, such as kissing, hugging, crying, sweating, shaking hands, insect bites or sharing a bathroom. Rest assured these are not true.

You should get tested if you have injected drugs, steroids, or have shared equipment with others, if you have had unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with individuals who have had sex with multiple or unknown partners, if you are unaware of the sexual history of any of your partners, or if you been diagnosed with or treated for hepatitis, tuberculosis, or a sexually transmitted infection (STI). You should always get tested if you plan to get pregnant as HIV can be passed onto the baby.

The most common HIV test is a simple blood test that detects the HIV infection. Tests can also be taken using saliva or urine. It can take any where from twenty minutes to a few days to receive results. Should the result come back positive, another test will be taken to confirm the infection.This test usually takes longer than the others, and may take anywhere from a matter of days to weeks.

Antiretroviral therapy (ARV) can prolong the onset of AIDS in a person that has already been diagnosed with HIV. Modern treatment is highly effective and can give those with HIV the opportunity to live the rest of their lives without developing AIDS, if the treatment is continued and successful. Many people can still benefit from antiretroviral treatment once they have AIDS and it can improve the quality and length of their lives. Although antiretroviral treatment can prevent the onset of AIDS in a person living with HIV, many people are still diagnosed with AIDS today.

There are four main reasons why people continue to be diagnosed with AIDS; some people were infected with HIV before combination therapy was available have developed a drug resistance, therefore leaving them with limited treatment options. Many people are never tested for HIV and don't become aware until they have developed an AIDS related illness. These people are at a higher risk of mortality and are less likely to respond to treatment at this stage; it's better to be safe and get tested. Sometimes people taking treatment are unable to tolerate the side effects of drugs. In many poor countries antiretroviral treatment is not easily available. Even in richer countries, such as America, many individuals are not covered by health insurance and cannot pay for the treatment.

There are many ways you can take action on National HIV Testing Day, from hosting an event, to practising safer methods in an attempt to prevent HIV. Supporting people living with HIV/AIDS, and talking about HIV prevention with friends, family, and colleagues can also play a huge role in preventing future outbreaks of HIV/AIDS. Anybody can get HIV, regardless of age, race, or sexuality. If you want to make sure that you're HIV free or you want to receive support, go out and get tested on National HIV Testing Day.