Key+Needs+We+Identified



The three keys that we identified based on our research of the local, state, and national data for this AIDS/HIV population are: health risks, concerns, problems for the population of interest and why we chose these three.

The health risk is that HIV is a virus that can lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome or AIDS. It destroys specific blood cells, called CD4 and T cells which are crucial in fighting disease. Untreated early HIV infection is associated with many diseases including cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and cancer. Concerns that we have is that HIV can be spread by: an agent or pathogen, source or reservoir or infection, portal of exit of reservoir, mode of transmission, portal of entry into new host and susceptible host.

HIV can also be spread by not using condoms, having unprotected anal sex is riskier than vaginal sex, and among men with men unprotected receptive anal sex is riskier than unprotected insertive anal sex. Sharing needles, flushes, and syringes are a major concern, having multiple partners and being born to an infected mother with HIV or AIDS.

HIV is a problem in the US population: there is no cure, no vaccine, and treatment just prolongs life, attitudes and views on people with HIV is still a problem, there are better private testing centers, and now there are AIDS awareness days, funding for medicine, and great prevention programs now exist.

We chose these topics of interest because we wanted to get the word out about HIV/AIDS awareness and let people know that tests now exist: the most common used HIV tests detect HIV antibodies, they look for HIV's genetic material or proteins directly. Most of these tests take 2-8 weeks for results, and it is recommended to be retested within 6 months to one year. We also wanted people to know that HIV/AIDS is not spread by air or water, insects or mosquitos, saliva, tears, or sweat. Also you cannot come in contact just by shaking hands or sharing dishes, and by social kissing on the lips.

Prevention is the key: know your HIV status, everyone between 13-64 years of age should be tested at least once.

If you have HIV: get medical care, treatment, support, abstain from sex activity, limit sex partners, use correct and consistent condom use, and insist partners are tested.

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/basic/index.htm