Kentucky: Personnel Cabinet - HIV & AIDS in the Workplace

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HIV AND AIDS

AIDS is Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome- a serious illness that makes the body unable to fight infection. A person with AIDS is susceptible to certain infections and cancers. When a person with AIDS cannot fight off infections, this person becomes ill. Most people with AIDS will die as a result of their infection. AIDS is caused by a virus called Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV. Early diagnosis of HIV infection is important! If you have been told you have HIV, you should get prompt medical treatment. In many cases, early treatment can enhance a person’s ability to remain healthy as long as possible. Your doctor will help you determine the best treatment for you. Free anonymous and confidential testing and counseling is available at every health department in Kentucky. After being infected with HIV, it takes between two weeks and six months before the test can detect the antibodies to the virus.

HIV can be spread by:

sexual contact (oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse) with an infected person when blood, semen or cervical/vaginal secretions are exchanged
sharing syringes, needles, cotton, cookers and other IDU equipment with someone who is infected
receiving contaminated blood or blood products (very unlikely now because blood used for transfusions has been tested for HIV antibodies since March, 1985)
an infected mother passing HIV to her unborn child before or during childbirth, and through breast feeding
receipt of transplant or infected tissue/organs or artificial insemination from an infected donor
a needle stick or sharp injury in a health care setting involving an infected person (Infections can sometimes be prevented by taking post-exposure prophylaxis anti-retroviral drugs.)

You cannot get HIV through casual contact such as:

sharing food, utensils, or plates
touching someone who is infected with HIV
hugging or shaking hands
donating blood or plasma (this has NEVER been a risk for contracting HIV)
using public rest rooms
being bitten by mosquitoes or any other insect
using tanning beds (always clean before and after each use)

Prevention:

do not share needles or syringes with anyone
do not have sexual intercourse except with a monogamous partner whom you know is not infected. If you choose to have sex with anyone else, use latex condoms (rubbers), female condoms or dental dams and water based lubricant every time you have sex
educate yourself and others about HIV infection and AIDS

You should be tested if you:

have had sex with someone who has HIV
have had sex with someone who has or had any sexually transmitted disease (STD)
have shared needles or syringes with someone who has HIV
have had unprotected sex or you have had sex with someone who has had unprotected sex
have had multiple sex partners or you have had sex with someone who has had multiple partners
have had sex through prostitution (male or female)
have had sex with injecting drug users
had a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985
are a woman who is pregnant or desires to be pregnant and wishes to reduce the chance of your baby getting HIV from you should you be infected

If you need more information, please call:

Kentucky HIV/AIDS Program (Voice/TTY) 502-564-6539 or 1-800-420-7431
The National AIDS Hotline 1-800-232-4636 (800-CDC-INFO), 1-888-232-6348 TTY
Your local health department’s HIV/AIDS Coordinator,
Or go to the Kentucky Department for Public Health,
HIV/AIDS Website at http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/epi/hivaids.htm

Remember: You can’t tell whether or not someone has HIV just by looking at them.

HIV & AIDS In The Workplace