Advice and Information about HIV

Transcription

1 Advice and Information about HIV For patients, carers and the public What is HIV? (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) HIV is a virus which attacks the body s defence (immune) system. A person who is infected with HIV is said to be HIV positive. HIV is present worldwide, with approximately 34 million people infected. In Scotland nearly 7000 had been diagnosed by 2010; just under one in every 1000 is currently living with HIV. What is AIDS? AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) may develop in someone who is HIV positive. A person has AIDS when their immune system has become so weak that it can no longer fight off a range of infections and some cancers with which it would normally cope. How is HIV passed on? HIV is infectious. It can be passed on whether people know they are infected or not. The virus is found in blood, sexual fluids and breast milk of an infected person and can be spread in many ways including: Through unprotected sexual intercourse, especially vaginal and anal; oral sex is low risk. Sharing needles, syringes and other injecting equipment, e.g. filters, spoons, water. From an infected mother to child during pregnancy, at birth or when breast feeding. Less common ways include: Through skin puncture by blood-contaminated sharp instruments, e.g. needle-stick injury, tattoo, acupuncture, body piercing, electrolysis. Through exposure to blood, e.g. splash to open cut or mucous membranes, penetrating human bite, sharing razors or toothbrushes. 1

2 Receiving transfusion of unscreened blood or blood products (UK blood products have been screened for HIV since 1985). HIV is not transmitted by: Hand shaking, kissing, cuddling. Coughing or sneezing. Sharing cups, cutlery, toilet seats etc. How to avoid getting or passing on HIV Use condoms for sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal and oral), especially if you or your partner have more than one partner. If you inject drugs, get support to stop injecting. If you use or inject drugs, do not share needles, syringes, water, or anything you use to prepare your fix. Avoid skin piercing procedures (e.g. tattooing, etc) with unsterilised equipment. Cover cuts or wounds after washing with a waterproof dressing e.g. plaster. Clean up spilled blood immediately, wearing rubber gloves. Use a weak bleach solution for hard surfaces (follow instructions). On carpets and soft furnishings, use hand hot soapy water to clean the area and dry as well as possible. Do not share toothbrushes or razors. Dispose of sanitary protection by flushing away or wrapping well before placing in waste unit. This advice will also help to protect you from Hepatitis B and C infections. There is no vaccination for HIV. Is there a test for HIV? Yes, the HIV blood test checks for antibodies your immune system forms if you have been exposed to the virus. It becomes positive if you have been infected. It is negative if you have not come into contact with HIV. However these antibodies may take up to 3-6 months to appear after infection has occurred. This is known as the window period. All pregnant women in the UK are routinely offered HIV screening in order to reduce the risk of transmission to the baby and to make an earlier diagnosis in the mother. Having the HIV test itself does not affect current or future life insurance policies. However, a positive result may, and declaration to your insurer is advised. If you think you have been exposed to HIV, early testing is recommended. 2

3 HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) If you re HIV negative but have had unprotected sexual contact with someone who has HIV or you have experienced a sexual assault, the risk of HIV transmission can be reduced with a course of antiviral drugs. This treatment needs to be taken as soon as possible after sex and definitely within 72 hours. It can also be used for bites, needle-stick and other body fluid exposures. For advice about this call: City Clinic, Sexual Health Services, A&E at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Your occupational health provider for work-related incidents. What happens if you are infected with HIV? Although there are usually no symptoms for many years, you may experience flu-like symptoms or a rash 2-4 weeks after exposure. If tests show that you are infected with HIV, you will be offered referral to a specialist. There is no cure at present but there are drug treatments that can slow down progression of the disease and infected individuals can now live healthy lives. Testing for other infections which can be passed on the same way is advised (e.g. Hepatitis B and C). Usually, the longer someone is infected with HIV and remains untreated, the more likely their immune system may be damaged resulting in reduced resistance to infections. Vaccination against Hepatitis B, annual Influenza and a single dose of Pneumococcal vaccine is recommended. If you are infected with HIV, you are infectious. Passing this to others can be avoided, see previous advice. Sharing information Telling your doctor, dentist, midwife and other healthcare professional that you are HIV positive will help them provide the best care for you. Please also: Consider telling someone close to you so that they can support you from the start. Consider telling past and present sexual partners so that they can think about being tested. Help with this is available from the City Clinic. 3

4 Consider telling anyone who may have had direct contact with your blood or shared injecting equipment with you. Do not donate blood or semen or register as an organ donor. Where to go for testing and advice Your GP. NHS Grampian: The City Clinic, Sexual Health Services, Woolmanhill Hospital, Aberdeen and other locations, Selected needle exchanges and community pharmacies. For general information on HIV HIV Wakeup, HIV Scotland, AVERT, Aidsmap, THT - Terence Higgins Trust, Leaflets on other Bloodborne Viruses are available on NHS Grampian s Health Protection website, For services providing Needle Exchange: ABERDEEN CITY: Dickies Pharmacy, 68 Gardner Drive,Kincorth, Aberdeen, Douglas Dickie Chemist, 96 Victoria Road, Torry, Aberdeen, Drugs Action, 7 Hadden Street, Aberdeen, (Telephone for information regarding additional Aberdeen outreach exchanges). Healthy Hoose, 2B Logie Place, Aberdeen, Holburn Pharmacy, 560 Holburn Street, Aberdeen, John Ross Chemist, 109 Hayton Road, Aberdeen, Rowlands Pharmacy, City Hospital, Park Road, Aberdeen (side door entrance), ABERDEENSHIRE: Aberchirder Pharmacy, 55 Main Street, Aberchirder, Buchanhaven Pharmacy, 23 Skelton Street, Peterhead,

5 Charles Michie Chemist, 24 Market Square, Stonehaven, Duke Street Pharmacy, 26 Duke Street, Huntly, Kemnay Pharmacy, 17 High Street, Kemnay, NHS Grampian Substance Misuse Service, Kessock Road, Fraserburgh, Northern Horizons, Turning Point Scotland, Chalmers Hospital, Banff. Northern Horizons, Turning Point Scotland, Peterhead, Strachan Pharmacy, 29 Main Street, Turriff, Will Chemists, 35 West High Street, Inverurie, MORAY: Bishopmill Pharmacy, 20 North Street, Bishopmill, Elgin, Dufftown Pharmacy, 15 Balvenie Street, Dufftown, Lloyds Pharmacy, 23a Clifton Road, Lossiemouth, Lloyds Pharmacy, 48 High Street, Elgin, Norvik Pharmacies Ltd, 1 High Street, Buckie, Studio 8, Turning Point Scotland,73 High Street, Elgin, Your Local Boots Pharmacy, 88/94 High Street, Forres, Your Local Boots Pharmacy, Glassgreen Centre, 2 Thornhill Road, Elgin, This publication is also available in large print and on computer disk. Other formats and languages can be supplied on request. Please call Health Information Resources Service on or grampian.resources@nhs.net Ask for publication CGD February