HIV/AIDS
What is HIV?
HIV stands for Human Immmunodeficiency Virus. This is the virus that leads to AIDS.
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome:
A -Acquired --produced by influences originating outside the organism
I -Immune-- referring to the immune system
D -Deficiency-- a lack or defect
S -Syndrome-- a set of symptoms that occur together (in the case of AIDS, a set of infections or illnesses that occur with a severely compromised immune system)
Drug use is a major factor in the spread of HIV. Persons who inject drugs and share their needles and syringes are at high risk of getting infected with hepatitis and/or the HIV virus. Certain body fluids of a person with HIV can also spread the virus: blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk. If people do have the virus, their bodies can take up to three months to develop antibodies that are detectable by current tests. (The average time is 25 days.) There are now many different treatments that can help protect the health of people with HIV, including combination drug therapy that slows the replication of HIV and delays the onset of illness.
The Phoenix Center's HIV/AIDS Prevention Specialist offers:
- Risk Assessment
- Risk Reduction Counseling
- Free rapid HIV testing for individuals considered at high risk for infection
- Pre and post test counseling
- Referrals to appropriate agencies for confirmatory testing and medical treatment as needed
Education about HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases and the connection between these diseases and drug/alcohol use/abuse is also offered in the form of public speaking engagements to church and civic groups, participation in health fairs and other community events.
The Phoenix Center's HIV/AIDS Prevention Specialist also partners with Greenville County school resource officers and the Greenville County Health Department for outreach and educational efforts. Red Cross certified educational components including African American HIV/AIDS programs are also available to groups and individuals upon request.
Related Websites
AID Upstate Website
AID Upstate is a non-profit AIDS service organization that provides clients with housing assistance, nutritional and pharmaceutical needs, food and transportation. In partnership with other community organizations, AID Upstate seeks opportunities to teach and inform citizens who are at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS of the dangers of certain risks behaviors. Free HIV testing is available on site as well as sites around the Upstate.
AIDS Info Website
AIDSinfo is a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) project providing information on HIV/AIDS clinical trials and treatment. It serves as the main dissemination point for federally approved HIV treatment and prevention guidelines, AIDSinfo provides information about the current treatment regimens for HIV infection and AIDS-related illnesses, including the prevention of HIV transmission from occupational exposure and mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy.
CDC Website
The Center for Disease Control & Prevention
Kaiser Network
The Kaiser Foundation provides timely, reliable, and non-partisan information on national health issues to policymakers, the media, and the general public.
For more information on HIV / AIDS, please contact the AIDS Prevention Specialist, Tarycia Adams at 864-467-2602.
