HIV/AIDS Facts You Can't Ignore

AIDS and African American Women

African American communities are feeling the damaging effect of an epidemic of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). At issue is our lifestyle. Although a number of AIDS cases can be attributed to Injection Drug Use (IDU), too many of us – whether gay, straight, male or female – continue to have unprotected sex with multiple partners or people we barely know.

African Americans make up 13 percent of the population, yet we now account for 50% of all AIDS cases reported to the CDC from 1981 through 2005 The AIDS rate among Black women is four times as high as that among Latina and white women ^(6,1). According to the CDC’s June 2007 revised HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report ⁽¹⁾, Black women account for 66% of new AIDS cases among women while white and Latina women each account for 16% of new AIDS cases. Furthermore, Black women represented more than a third (35%) of AIDS Cases diagnosed among Blacks (women and men combined) in 2005, by comparison, white women represented only 15% of AIDS cases diagnosed among whites (men and women combined) ⁽⁶⁾. Sadly, Black teens (aged 13 – 19) accounted for 69% of new AIDS cases reported amongst all teens in 2005.” ⁽⁶⁾. Today Black women make up more than half of all women who have died of AIDS.

What is HIV?

HIV is the abbreviation for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV is the virus (infection) that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), a disease that can destroy one’s life. Human immunodeficiency virus infection occurs when infected cells in blood, semen, or other body fluids are spread from one person to another.
HIV infection attacks and breaks down the body’s immune system which normally produces white blood cells and antibodies that fight against viruses and bacteria. The infection-fighting cells are called CD4+T-cell lymphocytes. When the T-cell lymphocytes are destroyed, the body’s immune system is no longer able to effectively protect the body against diseases. The infected person is more open or susceptible to illnesses that usually do not affect healthy persons.

What is AIDS?

AIDS is a late stage of HIV infection, and is present when the body becomes overpowered by one or more opportunistic infections. These opportunistic infections ultimately cause death because the body cannot defend itself against them.

The AIDS definition developed by the CDC includes the following conditions:

• a person must be HIV positive, AND
• have a CD4 (T-cell) count below 200 OR one or more opportunistic infections.
  

A positive HIV test result does not mean that a person has AIDS. A diagnosis of AIDS is made by a physician using the above clinical criteria.

How Can You Become Infected?

Women, because of the structure of the female genital tract, run a higher risk of contracting the AIDS virus from a man than men do from women. That’s why the disease is increasingly transmitted through heterosexual activity and is claiming the lives of African American women at such an alarming rate. Common ways of acquiring HIV infection are:

• Having unprotected (without a condom) sex with someone who has HIV.
  
• Sharing needles and/or syringes used in IDU (injection drug use).
  
• A pregnant woman with HIV can give it to her baby during childbirth (this is now a much rarer occurrence given the fact that women can take medications before the birth to reduce the risk of transmission).
  
• Blood transfusions. Since 1985, however, people have seldom received HIV from an infusion of blood or blood-products because better safeguards are practiced against such occurrences.

Common Questions and Answers

• Can I become infected with HIV from "French" or open-mouth kissing?
  There is the potential for infection with blood during "French Kissing" if either partner has gum disease or there are other conditions when blood is present.
  
  
• Can I become infected with HIV from oral sex?
  It can happen, but not as likely as infection through anal or vaginal sex. Condoms and other health protective barriers should be used to prevent contact with body fluids.
  
  
• Can birth control pills prevent a person from getting HIV infection?
  No. Birth control pills do not protect against HIV infection or other STDs.
  
  
• I have anal sex with my boyfriend so I won’t get pregnant. Is this a safeguard against AIDS?
  No. Anal Intercourse with an infected partner is one of the most common ways that HIV is contracted. Anal sex is very risky whether you are male or female.
  

Empowerment Points

• AIDS is now the leading cause of death for African American women, aged 25 to 44 years of age.
  
  
• You can decrease your chances of infection with HIV and other STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) by using a latex condom correctly every time you have sex.
  
  
• Teenagers should learn that alcohol and drugs can cause them to make decisions and do things that can put them at risk for HIV, AIDS, and other STDs.
  
  
• AIDS is claiming and destroying the lives of millions of people. We need to be wise and informed about HIV, AIDS, and STDs for our own sakes and for those we care about.
  
  
• If you or your partner can’t or won’t discuss safe sex, then you should not have sex with that person. After all, it is your health and life at risk.
  

References:

1. CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HIV/AIDS Surveillance by Race/Ethnicity (through 2005) slide sets, June 28, 2007.
   http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/resources/slides/race-ethnicity/
   
   
2. CDC (Centers For Disease Control and Prevention) – HIV/AIDS Prevention, July 1997.
   
   
3. CDC (Centers For Disease Control and Prevention) UPDATE – Young People At Risk – Epidemic Shifts Further toward Young Women and Minorities. September 1998.
   
   
4. HRSA (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Health Resources And Services Administration, HIV/AIDS in Racial and Ethnic Minorities, February 1999.
   
   
5. CDC (Centers For Disease Control and Prevention)– National Prevention Information Network, Talk With Young People About HIV (Booklet – recent publication – 1998 or 1999).
   
   
6. The Henry J. Kaiser Foundation, HIV/AIDS Policy Fact Sheet: Black Americans and HIV/AIDS, July 2007.
   http://www.kff.org/hivaids/upload/6089-04.pdf
   
   
7. JAMA, The Journal of The American Medical Association, April 28, 1999.
   

David Pryor, M.D., M.P.H.