Dignity “World AIDS DAY”

• thrush — a thick, whitish coating of the tongue or mouth that is caused by a yeast infection and sometimes accompanied by a sore throat
• severe or recurring vaginal yeast infections
• chronic pelvic inflammatory disease
• severe and frequent infections
• periods of extreme and unexplained tiredness that may be combined with headaches, lightheadedness, and/or dizziness
• quick loss of more than 10 pounds of weight that is not due to increased physical exercise or dieting
• bruising more easily than normal
• long periods of frequent diarrhea
• frequent fevers and/or night sweats
• swelling or hardening of glands located in the throat, armpit, or groin
• periods of persistent, deep, dry coughing
• increasing shortness of breath
• the appearance of discolored or purplish growths on the skin or inside the mouth
• unexplained bleeding from growths on the skin, from the mouth, nose, anus, or vagina, or from any opening in the body
• frequent or unusual skin rashes
• severe numbness or pain in the hands or feet, the loss of muscle control and reflex, paralysis, or loss of muscular strength
• confusion, personality change, or decreased mental abilities

• having vaginal or anal intercourse without a condom with someone who has HIV/AIDS
• sharing needles or syringes with someone who has HIV/AIDS
• being deeply punctured with a needle or surgical instrument contaminated with HIV
• getting HIV-infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions into open wounds or sores

Babies born to women with HIV/AIDS can get HIV from their mothers during birth or from breastfeeding.

HIV is not transmitted by simple casual contact such as kissing, sharing drinking glasses, or hugging.

• Never share needles.
• Get into a needle-exchange program.
• Be sure to disinfect the needles you use.

Don’t share personal items that may have blood on them. This includes toothbrushes, razors, needles for piercing or tattooing, and blades for cutting or scarring.

If you choose to have sex, have safer sex to reduce the risk of exchanging blood, semen, or vaginal fluids with your sex partner(s).

Safer Sex and HIV

Some kinds of sex play are “safer” because they have lower risk of infection than others. “Safer-sex” activities are those we choose to lower our risk of exchanging blood, semen, or vaginal fluids — the body fluids most likely to spread HIV. Each of us must decide what risks we will take for sexual pleasure.

Here are some common sexual behaviors grouped according to risk.

VERY LOW RISK — No reported HIV infections due to these behaviors

• fantasy, cyber sex, or phone sex
• using clean sex toys
• masturbation or mutual masturbation
• manual stimulation of one another
• touching or massage
• fondling or body rubbing
• kissing
• oral sex on a man with a condom
• oral sex on a woman with a Glyde dam or plastic wrap

LOW RISK — Very few reported HIV infections due to these behaviors

• deep kissing that causes bleeding
• vaginal intercourse with a condom or female condom
• anal intercourse with a condom or female condom
• oral sex

(Try not to get semen, vaginal fluids, or blood into the mouth or on broken skin.)

HIGH RISK — Millions of reported HIV infections due to these behaviors

• vaginal intercourse without a condom
• anal intercourse without a condom

Talk with your health care provider about testing and treatment for STDs. Women and men with open sores from herpes and other infections get HIV more easily than other people.

• Consult a health care provider who has experience treating HIV/AIDS.
• Inform sex partner(s) who may also be infected.
• Protect your sex partner(s) from HIV by following safer sex guidelines.
• Do not share needles or “works.”
• Get psychological support with a therapist and/or join a support group for people with HIV/AIDS.
• Get information and social and legal support from an HIV/AIDS service organization.
• Don’t share your HIV status with people who do not need to know. People with HIV may still face discrimination. Only tell people you can count on for support.

Maintain a strong immune system with regular medical checkups and a healthy lifestyle:

• Eat well.
• Get enough rest and exercise.
• Avoid illegal or recreational drugs, including alcohol and tobacco.
• Learn how to manage stress effectively.

Consider using medicines that may slow the progress of the infection.