Brooklyn Lives: Get Educated

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Get Educated

Each year the number of HIV/AIDS cases in Brooklyn continues to rise. The increase in the infection rate demonstrates that people are not being properly educated about the dangers of HIV/AIDS, or are unable or unwilling to act on it. Education is an important component of preventing the spread of HIV.

Educating the public about HIV/AIDS prevents new infections from taking place and improves the quality of life for HIV positive people. Anyone is vulnerable to contracting AIDS unless they know how to protect themselves. Education should be aimed at all parts of society, not only those groups who are seen as being particularly high-risk.

HIV/AIDS FAQ

What is HIV?

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. This virus may be passed from one person to another when infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions come in contact with an uninfected person’s broken skin or mucous membranes*.

In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their baby during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breast-feeding.

People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. Some of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection.

What is AIDS?

AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.

Acquired – means that the disease is not hereditary but develops after birth from contact with a disease causing agent (in this case, HIV).
Immunodeficiency – means that the disease is characterized by a weakening of the immune system.
Syndrome – refers to a group of symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease. In the case of AIDS this can include the development of certain infections and/or cancers, as well as a decrease in the number of certain cells in a person’s immune system.

A diagnosis of AIDS is made by a physician using specific clinical or laboratory standards.

Which body fluids transmit HIV?

These body fluids have been shown to contain high concentrations of HIV:
* blood
* semen
* vaginal fluid
* breast milk
* other body fluids containing blood

The following are additional body fluids that may transmit the virus that health care workers may come into contact with:
* fluid surrounding the brain and the spinal cord
* fluid surrounding bone joints
* fluid surrounding an unborn baby

How Effective Are Latex Condoms in Preventing HIV?

Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, are highly effective in preventing heterosexual sexual transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Research on the effectiveness of latex condoms in preventing heterosexual transmission is both comprehensive and conclusive.

Can you tell whether someone has HIV or AIDS?

You cannot tell by looking at someone whether he or she is infected with HIV or has AIDS. An infected person can appear completely healthy. But anyone infected with HIV can infect other people, even if they have no symptoms.

Learn more on HIV prevention from the CDC