June 27 is National HIV Testing Day, a day communities around the country encourage early diagnosis and HIV testing. Kris Davis, registered nurse practitioner and program coordinator in The University of Iowa HIV program, talks about the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV):
How is HIV contracted?
HIV is contracted through either exposure to blood or exposure during sexual contact to the body fluids of somebody who is infected with HIV. Body fluids like urine or saliva are non-infectious unless they're bloody.
Who is at risk to develop HIV?
Anyone who has had unprotected sex with somebody whose HIV status is not known or who has been exposed to blood in a needle through the skin or some blood on the skin that is not intact would be at risk for HIV.
HIV is not in the news today as much as it was 10 years ago, is HIV less of a concern in 2009?
We have more people in Iowa with HIV this year than we have ever before, but we have effective treatments now for HIV that can slow the progression of HIV disease so that it's more of a chronic illness for many people, that's when the HIV is detected early. Unfortunately, there are still many people being diagnosed late when they become ill.
How many people in Iowa are affected with HIV?
There are more people living in Iowa with HIV every year. The Iowa Department of Public Health has estimated at the end of 2008 that there were 2,217 people with HIV. That includes 1,616 who were diagnosed and the rest of those 2,217 were either diagnosed or unreported, so that means about a fourth of the people with HIV in the state are not aware of it.
Who should be tested for HIV?
Because of this fact that about a fourth of the people with HIV are not aware, the Center for Disease Control is now recommending that all pregnant women be offered testing and that all patients in hospitals, clinics, or emergency rooms be offered testing. Of course the patient is able to opt out or say that they don't want to have the testing done.
What does testing for HIV include?
The HIV test can be done with either a blood draw or with a swab that scrapes the cells from the inside of the mouth.
Do people need to ask their primary physician to order an HIV test?
They may, although current guidelines in the Iowa law don't require a written consent—the test is still voluntary—so if their physician doesn't offer the test, the person should ask for one.
How quickly are HIV testing results available?
In some settings a rapid test is available that will give results during the same visit. When that's not available, it can take from several days up to about a week.
Is someone has HIV, what are their chances the virus will develop into AIDS?
With no treatment, half of the people with HIV will have AIDS in probably 10 years. With the current treatment, this could take up to 30 years or more, so there's a big difference in how fast this is happening now.
Is University of Iowa involved in research with regard to treating HIV and AIDS?
Yes, we are. The patients in our HIV clinic are informed when there are studies available and we also notify other clinics around the state of available studies. |
