HIV/AIDS

 What is HIV?

HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV damages the body’s immune system. The immune system protects the body from disease. HIV has many stages. People can have HIV for years without getting sick. They may look and feel healthy and not know they have it. 

What is AIDS?

AIDS, or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, is the advanced stage of the HIV disease when the immune system becomes very weak. When this happens, other diseases and infections can enter the body. 

What are the symptoms?

Many of the symptoms of HIV are also symptoms of other illnesses or infections.  These may include:

• Unexplained weight loss of more than 10 pounds
• Recurring fever and/or drenching night sweats
• Unexplained tiredness or diarrhea
• Swollen glands--usually in the neck, armpits or groin
• Unexplained dry cough
• White spots or unusual sores on the tongue or mouth

How do people get HIV?

HIV is in human blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. You can get HIV if:

• You have oral, vaginal or anal sex with someone who has HIV
• You share needles and works to inject drugs, vitamins or steroids
• You share needles used for tattoos or piercing
• HIV can also be passed from mother to fetus in the womb, during birth or breastfeeding. 

HIV must get into the body to infect a person. You can’t get HIV from donating blood; casual contact such as hugging, dry kissing or sharing food; from telephones, toilet seats, towels or eating utensils.

HIV cannot be passed in tears, saliva, sweat or urine. 

Is there a cure or treatment?

There is no cure for HIV or AIDS. There are treatments that can help people stay healthy and live longer. People living with HIV/AIDS may need to take anti-retroviral medications on a daily basis to manage HIV disease.

HIV can be prevented. 

How is HIV detected?

The HIV test looks for antibodies in your body. It usually takes up to three months after infection for the body to make HIV antibodies that can be detected by a test. In rare cases, it can take up to six months. This is called the “window period.” 

What are the types of testing?

There are two types of tests – anonymous and confidential.

Anonymous means you are the only one who will know your results. You use a code number to get your results. 

Confidential means your name is known and your test result is put into your medical record.

How is testing done?

You may be tested one of two ways:

• Blood test: with a needle, taking a sample of blood
• Oral swab, taking a sample of a fluid (not saliva) 

A blood test is recommended for confirmation of a positive result, regardless of the method first used.

The Health Department offers two types of tests.  A blood test can be performed in any of the four county health centers. Rapid oral tests are available at the Administration Annex. Learn more about HIV testing, including times and locations for walk-in oral tests. 

How soon will I know my results?

Results from blood can be known in three to seven days. The OraQuick rapid test allows results to be known in about 20 minutes.

What do the test results mean?

A negative test means no HIV antibodies were in your body at the time of the test. This means you do not have HIV. It may also mean you have HIV but your body has not made HIV antibodies yet. You will want to be tested again three to six months to be sure.

A positive test means you have HIV. Positive results are almost 100 percent accurate, regardless of the method used.

The OraQuick test (oral test with results available in 20 minutes) only provides either a negative or preliminary positive result. If you get a preliminary positive result using this test,

If you get a preliminary positive result using this test, you will need to have another test to confirm the OraQuick test result, using one of the other methods. `

Where can I be tested?

The Health Department offers both anonymous and confidential testing.

OraQuick testing is available during specific walk-in testing times at the times/locations listed below:

• 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays at the Marguerite Robinson Community Center, 400 W. Sixth St., Newport, Ky.

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at the Marguerite Robinson Community Center, 400 W. Sixth St., Newport, Ky.

• Noon to 2 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month at the Lane Chapel, C.M.E. Church, 125 Lynn St., Covington, Ky.

• 3 to 5 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at the Campbell County Health Center, 1098 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky.

• 1 to 4 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month at the Kenton County Health Center, 2002 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky.

• 1 to 4 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month at St. John's United Church of Christ, 520 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue, Ky.

The Health Department's county health centers in Boone, Campbell, Kenton and Grant counties, offer the blood test only, which may be anonymous or confidential.  An appointment is necessary.

What types of services are available to people diagnosed with HIV or AIDS?

The Health Department offers case management services for those residing in Boone, Campbell, Kenton, Grant, Pendleton, Owen, Carroll, and Gallatin counties who have been diagnosed with HIV or AIDS. Services include:

• Short term counseling
• Referrals to physicians and other medical resources
• Financial assistance for medical and basic needs based on meeting income requirements
• Transportation
• HIV education and support, including prevention counseling
• Housing

What community resources are available in Northern Kentucky for people living with HIV/AIDS?

AIDS Volunteers of Northern Kentucky (859.483.5757) provides supportive services to those living with HIV/AIDS and their family members. They offer a monthly social dinner, weekly support meetings, a yearly Healing Weekend and help sponsor local HIV events.

Where can I get more information on HIV/AIDS?

For more information online, you can visit:

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services HIV/AIDS Branch

National HIV Testing Day

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention

AVERT

Project Inform

Kaiser Network

For more information on the Health Department’s HIV/AIDS services, education programs, please call 859.341.4264.