It is a virus (germ) that destroys one’s immune system, making the person vulnerable to various infections. The term HIV is the shortened version of the name given to this virus, which is Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

What is AIDS?

It is the name of the disease that is caused by HIV. AIDS stands for ‘Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome’

• Acquired means you can get infected with it;

• Immune Deficiency means a weakness in the body's system that fights diseases.

• Syndrome means a group of health problems that make up a disease.

A person who gets the HIV does not immediately develop the disease, but can transmit the virus to other people. Many people are HIV-positive, but they don't get sick for many years.

How does one get AIDS?

A person does not actually "get" AIDS. People get infected with HIV first, and later they may develop AIDS. HIV may spread from anyone who's infected, even if they don't look sick, and even if they haven't tested HIV-positive yet.

What happens if someone has AIDS?

When HIV enters the body, it does not change the appearance or how healthy one feels. He/she continues living a normal life with no signs for a while and may not even know that he/she is infected with HIV. Some people get fever, headache, sore muscles and joints, stomach ache, swollen lymph glands, or a skin rash for one or two weeks. Most people think it's the flu. Some people have no symptoms at all.

In the meantime, the virus multiply in the body for a few weeks or even months before the immune system responds. During this time, HIV infected person will not test positive for HIV, but can infect other people.

After some time passes, the virus destroys the immune system and the person starts losing weight, feeling weak, has fever, coughs, diarrhoea, and other infections for long periods of time. As HIV continues to tear down the person’s immune system, he/she becomes very sick. After a while, the illness may lead to death.

What is a CD4+ Count?

One way to measure the damage HIV caused to the immune system is to count the person’s CD4+ cells in his/her blood. Healthy people have between 500 and 1,500 CD4+ cells in one milliliter of blood.
When HIV infects people, the cells it infects most often are CD4+ cells. The virus becomes part of the cells, and when they multiply to fight an infection, they also make more copies of HIV.
When someone is infected with HIV for a long time, the number of CD4+ cells they have (their T-cell count) goes down. This is a sign that the immune system is being weakened. The lower the T-cell count, the more likely the person will get sick.

Is there a cure or a vaccine for AIDS?

There is NO cure or vaccine for AIDS at the present time. The scientists are working to find a cure and a vaccine that will work. However, there are drugs that can slow down the HIV virus and the damage it causes to the immune system. But there is no way to get all the HIV out of an infected person’s body.
These medicines that help people with HIV/AIDS are called Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART). Some people mistakenly think that these medicines cure AIDS which is not true. In addition, despite what some people may think or believe, there are no home remedies to cure AIDS.

How does one get HIV? How is it transmitted?

HIV is transmitted from person to person when the infected person’s body fluids enter the body of a person who does not have the virus. This “transfer” can happen when an HIV negative person:

• Has vaginal, anal, and/or oral sex with an HIV-positive person without a condom

• Gets stuck with an infected needle by accident or while he/she is using drugs

• Receives HIV-infected person’s blood during blood transfusion. It is also possible for an HIV positive pregnant woman to pass it on to her unborn baby.

Is it possible to get HIV by sharing utensils with someone who has HIV/AIDS, by sitting on the toilet seats, or by touching door knobs/handles?

No, HIV is not strong enough to live on the surface of such items. It can only live in a person’s body and in his/her body fluids.

How about kissing, hugging and cuddling with someone? Is it possible to get HIV that way?

No, kissing, hugging, and cuddling will not transmit the HIV.

I have a co-worker who has HIV/AIDS. Will I get it if I shake hands with him or sit in his chair?

No, HIV is not strong enough to live on such surfaces. It can only live inside a person’s body and in his/her body fluids.

I heard that mosquitoes help spread HIV. Is it true?

No, it is not true. Although mosquitoes are known to spread other diseases, HIV is not one of them.

I would like to give blood, but I heard that one can get HIV when they stick you with a needle. Is that correct?

The needles used for blood transfusion are (and must be) sterile which means that they contain NO germs.

How safe is blood transfusion?

There are some safeguards to ensure safe blood for patients who need blood transfusion. Blood banks and programs in Guyana are taking steps to strengthen safety of blood supply. Before giving blood, donors must answer questions about their health and risk factors for disease, and only a person with a clean bill of health can give blood. Blood from each accepted donor needs to go through testing for evidence of various infections. However, whenever possible, persons who need blood transfusion should ask and make sure that the blood they will be given had been tested.

Is it possible to be able to tell by the looks of a person whether he or she has HIV/AIDS?

No. A person can be infected with HIV and can have AIDS and may look perfectly healthy. The only way to know if a person has been infected is by taking the HIV test.

I only go out/sleep with church-going “clean girls” (or “clean guys”). Or persons that I have known for a long time… They surely would not have HIV, would they?

It really doesn’t matter how long one has known the other person, or where they met. Anyone, including churchgoing persons, may be infected with HIV and not show any signs of illness. No one is immune…Especially, persons who have unsafe sex are at increased risk.

How can I protect myself from getting HIV/AIDS?

There are several ways one can protect himself/herself from getting HIV.

• Practice safe sex

• Do not share needles with anyone

• If one needs blood transfusion, he/she needs to make sure that the blood has been tested negative for HIV (and other germs)

My friends say that oral sex is not considered as “sex,” and that I could not get HIV that way. Is that so?

Oral contact with another person’s genitals (oral sex) is still considered as sex. Although the risk is lower, one may still get HIV this way, especially if he/she has a cut or a sore in his/her mouth. It is advised to use condoms or a dental dam when having oral sex with someone whose HIV status is unknown.

I hear that if I pee and/or wash my genitals with certain things like vinegar after having sex, I would not get HIV or other STIs? Is that true?

Peeing or washing genitals do not protect individuals from getting HIV and STIs. There is no protective measure for HIV other than having safe sex.

How would one know whether he or she has HIV?

The only way to know if a person is infected with HIV is by doing the HIV test. There are many counselling and testing sites available for HIV testing in Guyana.

How does one get tested for HIV?

A person who wants to get tested for HIV needs to go to one of the HIV counselling and testing sites where this test is being done. He/she needs to talk with a counsellor, a process called pre-test counselling. Then a lab technician takes a small amount of blood to get tested in the lab. The results will come back within 1 day or 1 week. After getting the test result, the person needs to talk with a counsellor once again. This is called post-test counselling.

What is VCT?

It stands for Voluntary Counselling and Testing. Matters relating to HIV/AIDS are serious in nature and people need to be informed as well as being supported. HIV/AIDS counselling provides both information and support. Through VCT, people can learn how HIV is transmitted, practice safer sex, get an HIV test and decrease their chances of becoming infected or infecting others. A study in Africa and in the Caribbean region found that individuals and couples who received VCT had lower HIV infection rate than the group who did not receive VCT services.

I really don’t feel comfortable about talking about all this with someone. Can I just skip the counselling?

It is best NOT to skip counselling. It is normal to feel uncomfortable when talking about personal matters or be concerned that what you share during counselling may be told someone else. The counsellors are trained and caring individuals who want to help you. They will take you in a private room, and make sure that no one else can hear your conversations. Everything you share is kept confidential and will not be shared with anyone else.

What types of HIV/AIDS counselling are there?

• Pre-test counselling: This is done before the HIV testing in a private and confidential manner. The person and the counsellor discuss the reasons for HIV testing, how the HIV test works, and what the results mean.

• Post-test counselling: This type of counselling is done after one takes the HIV test and gets the results. It should be done whether the results are positive or negative and should be conducted in a private and confidential manner.

• Support counselling: If a person tested positive for HIV, he/she needs support counselling to help adjust life with HIV, so he/she can live a healthier life and can make healthy choices.

• Family and friend counselling: When a family member or a friend is diagnosed as HIV-positive, it is very stressful for everyone. This type of counselling can help. People can discuss their feelings, their fears and concerns. Family and friends can also ask HIV/AIDS-related questions to the counsellor and get accurate information.

How does the HIV test work?

The HIV virus is very small and cannot be seen with naked eye. However, they leave behind clues called antibodies. They show up in the blood 3-6 months after HIV enters the body. The HIV test detects the presence of antibodies for HIV in your blood. If the antibodies are present, the test result will be positive; if not, it will be negative.

Who should take the HIV test?

Persons who:

• have had unsafe sex

• have had another STD/STI

• suspect or know their sex partner(s) is/are infected with another STD/STI

• suspect or know their sex partner(s) is/are infected with HIV

• suspect or know their sex partner(s) may have died of AIDS

• shared/share needles with other persons

• received blood (blood transfusion) between 1978 and 1985.

What does HIV positive mean?

A person who tested positive for the HIV virus and is infected with HIV. It does not mean that this person has AIDS.

What happens if the HIV test comes back positive?

The HIV + person needs to have a post-test counselling and support counselling. The counsellors will help inform the HIV-positive persons regarding how to take care of themselves for a better, longer life, and how to protect themselves and others.

If the HIV test result come back negative, that means I don’t have HIV, correct?

Yes and no. It may certainly mean that you are not infected with HIV. However, not for sure… It is best to repeat the test in the next 3-6 months, especially if your behavior puts you at risk (unsafe sex, sharing needles, etc.) for HIV.

Do I have to tell my sex partners if I am HIV positive?

Yes, that is the best approach even though you may risk rejection or even anger. However, sharing this news, as unpleasant as it is, shows that you respect them. They need to be tested and be offered treatment. Another important matter is that your sex partner may be pregnant and some steps must be taken to protect your unborn child from being infected.

How can I tell my sex partners that I am HIV positive?

You need privacy and a place where you will not be disturbed. You and your partner should not take alcohol beforehand. First, tell him/her that there is something very important you need to discuss. Then you can tell your sex partner(s) that you really care about him/her and that he/she is important to you; so that is why you are sharing this information which may come as a shock. Inform them that you are distressed as well. Avoid any kind of lie or blaming. Try to be calm and reassuring when sharing this information. Suggest going to an HIV counselling and testing site together.

Is it true if a woman who has HIV gets pregnant, she can pass it on to her baby?

Yes, a pregnant woman who is HIV + can pass it on to her baby during pregnancy, during delivery, and during breastfeeding.

Can I protect my baby from HIV?

Not every baby born to an HIV + mother is infected. Remember that there are ways to protect your baby. Please talk to your doctor and get regular medical care as early as possible during your pregnancy. Make sure that you get a special medication before delivery and that your baby gets a special syrup within 72 hours after birth. Then learn about safe ways to feed your baby.

What are the guidelines on HIV/AIDS for the workplace in Guyana?

HIV+ employees have the same rights and social benefits as the other employees. They should be treated equally. HIV + employees should also have the same training, career development and promotion opportunities. They cannot be restricted from any area in the office, cannot be fired because of their HIV status.