http://www.wechealthunit.org daily 1 2007-05-08T21:19:14Z http://www.wechealthunit.org/diseases-conditions/glossary/aids-and-hiv Protect yourself and the ones you love What are HIV and AIDS? - HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system - HIV causes a number of symptoms and illnesses, including AIDS - People with HIV do not have AIDS A positive HIV antibody test means that you have HIV, and can pass the virus on and infect others Does everyone with HIV develop AIDS? Many people with HIV develop AIDS, but early diagnosis, new drugs, and other treatments are helping people stay healthy longer. How do people become infected with HIV? HIV virus is found in blood, semen and vaginal secretions of an HIV infected person. It is passed on through: - Penetrative sexual intercourse (anal, vaginal or oral) - Sharing needles to take drugs Direct contact with HIV infected blood What are the symptoms of AIDS? Some people have HIV for months or years and experience no symptoms. Some symptoms that may develop include: - Persistent fever - Night sweats - Swollen glands - Skin lesions or sores - Extreme fatigue - Unexplained weight loss - Diarrhea - Abdominal pain - Breathing difficulties - Neurological problems - Vaginal infections Chronic yeast infection How can people with HIV stay healthy? - See your doctor regularly and inform your doctor of any unusual symptoms or illness - Eat well - Get plenty of rest - Exercise regularly - Develop and keep supportive relationships - Try to avoid other infections and illnesses - Reduce the use of alcohol and tobacco, and avoid illegal drug use - Keep working or become an active volunteer. People who are busy stay healthy longer Avoid HIV re-infection. The HIV virus is constantly changing. You could become infected with a slightly different strain of the virus and put your health at further risk How can I avoid passing HIV to others? Safe Sex & HIV: It is very important to talk openly with your partner. Tell your partner you are HIV positive, and discuss safe sex ahead of time. - Avoid penetrative sex. Anal and vaginal sex poses the highest risk for infection. If you and your partner agree to have penetrative sex, a condom must be used. The risk is lower for oral sex (mouth to penis or vagina) - During mouth to penis oral sex, when the man is HIV positive, a condom should be used - During mouth to vagina oral sex, when the woman is HIV positive, a dental dam should be used - Hugging, kissing, massage and masturbation are safe as long as they do not lead to penetration or contact with blood or semen - Never share sex toys - Avoid sexual activities that cause bleeding - Avoid oral/anal sex (mouth to anus). The risk of Hepatitis A and B is very high - Avoid intravenous drug use, especially when it involves the sharing of needles - Do not donate blood, sperm, ova, or organs - Do not share toothbrushes or razors Avoid anything that causes bleeding, such as: tattooing, electrolysis or ear/body piercing What can I do if I have HIV and use needles to take drugs? The best way to avoid passing HIV to other needle drug users is to stop using drugs. For more information on drug addiction call Addiction and Mental Health Services at 1-800-387-2916. Use the following suggestions for safe needle drug use, while you are trying to get help for drug addiction: - Tell drug partners that you have HIV - Always use clean needles and syringes - Never share or reuse needles - If you don't have unused needles, find out how to clean them with bleach, by calling the confidential AIDS hotline at 1-800-668-2437 To get clean needles and syringes, call the AIDS Committee of Windsor Needle Exchange at 973-0222 The Health Unit provides anonymous, confidential HIV testing at all 3 sites. Call for an appointment: - To make an appointment for Leamington call, 326-5716 ext. 2100 To make an appointment for Windsor or Essex call, 258-2146 ext. 1200 or 1201 Windsor: Services are available for all Windsor-Essex County residents (no age restriction). Nurse's clinics are open Monday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Appointments must be made for Monday evening clinics. Tuesday thru Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., appointments are preferred, but not necessary. The Windsor clinic is now open through the lunch hour. Doctor clinics are Mondays 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Appointments are needed. Times may vary.     This is basic information only. It must not take the place of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to a healthcare professional about any health concerns you have, and before you make any changes to your diet, lifestyle or treatment. No publisher Mike HIV and AIDS 2007-06-21T19:03:24Z Glossary definition http://www.wechealthunit.org/sexual-health/articles/aids-and-hiv Information and related links No publisher mkingsley 2008-01-17T16:43:36Z Article http://www.wechealthunit.org/workplace-health/initiatives/community-resources/community-resources-for-infection-protection The following Windsor-Essex County organizations offer presentations, assessments, support, or referrals related to the Infection Protection initiative. No publisher kmorse 2007-05-08T13:55:51Z Article http://www.wechealthunit.org/school-health/substance-abuse-prevention/articles/juice-and-we-re-not-talking-oranges An HIV/AIDS prevention and Steroid Awareness resource developed by the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit and AIDS Committee of Windsor. No publisher jpalesh 2007-06-25T13:26:21Z Article http://www.wechealthunit.org/diseases-conditions/glossary/needle-exhange Blood-borne illnesses like hepatitis B and C, and HIV are easily spread through the sharing of needles. Even people who use intravenous (in the vein) insulin for diabetes can contribute to the spread of these illnesses, if they do not dispose of needles and syringes properly. Needles and syringes could be picked out of the garbage, used for illegal drugs, and shared with others. Anyone who uses intravenous drugs is encouraged to dispose of needles and syringes in an official sharps container. The containers are available from selected pharmacies in the Windsor area. Intravenous drug users should also use a clean needle and syringe each time a drug is injected. The Windsor needle and syringe exchange program provides clean and safe equipment to those who need it. All information is kept confidential. Follow the links below for information on the sharps disposal, and needle exchange programs. Health Canada reports, "needle and syringe exchange programs have reduced transmission rates of HIV and hepatitis B virus, but not hepatitis C virus. Without needle and syringe exchange programs, the rate of hepatitis C virus infection would likely be even greater." No publisher Mike 2007-06-12T15:25:18Z Glossary definition http://www.wechealthunit.org/diseases-conditions/glossary/ploneglossarydefinition.2007-05-02.7391773400 The Issue Syphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection that was rare in Canada five years ago. However, infection rates are now on the rise. These rising rates are an indication that people are not consistently using safer sex methods. Background Syphilis is transmitted through oral, genital or anal sex with an infected person. A pregnant woman with syphilis can pass it on to her unborn child, sometimes causing birth defects or death. Although less common, it can be transmitted through injection drug use or through broken skin on the body. Cases of syphilis were rare in Canada in the 1990s. In 2002, there were four times as many cases as in 1997 and the number of cases have continued to rise in 2003. Across the country, localized outbreaks of syphilis are contributing to the increasing national rate. Outbreaks have been reported in downtown Vancouver among sex trade workers and their partners/clients, in the Yukon among heterosexuals and in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal among men who have sex with men (MSM). Syphilis is diagnosed through a simple blood test and is easily treated with penicillin or other antibiotics. Left untreated, syphilis moves through five stages: - primary - secondary - early latent - late latent - tertiary Syphilis is infectious mostly during the primary, secondary and early latent (less than one year) stages. During the latent stage, syphilis may progress into a tertiary infection. It is at this stage that syphilis can do the most damage to the body, affecting the brain, blood vessels, the heart and bones. It can eventually lead to death. Not everyone infected with syphilis will develop symptoms. That is why it is important to know if you are at risk and how to take preventative action. Health Effects of Syphilis Syphilis is often referred to as "the great imitator" because of the wide range of symptoms that infected people may experience. These symptoms can easily be confused with those of other conditions. Also, a doctor may overlook syphilis as a possible diagnosis because the rate of infection in Canada has been low until recently. In primary syphilis, a painless open sore or ulcer appears at the site where the bacteria first entered the body, usually the genital area, throat or anus. Symptoms can occur within a few weeks or a couple of months after infection. Because the ulcer is painless, you may not know you have been infected. While the sore may go away on its own without treatment, the infection remains and progresses to secondary syphilis. In secondary syphilis, the symptoms can include: - patchy hair loss - a rash on the soles of the feet, the palms of the hands or elsewhere on the body - fever - swollen glands - and muscle and joint pain Again, these symptoms usually disappear without treatment. Of particular concern is the interaction between syphilis and HIV/AIDS. Individuals with the genital ulcers that appear in primary syphilis are three to five times more likely to contract HIV. Furthermore, people who are HIV positive and also have syphilis are at greater risk of transmitting the infection to others. It can be difficult to successfully treat HIV patients who have syphilis. Minimizing Your Risk Following these suggestions may help you protect yourself from contracting syphilis: - Learn about safer sex and safer injection practices. - Make informed decisions. Talk to your partner about their STI status and the use of protection. - Correct use of condoms reduces the risk of STI transmission. - Ask for a syphilis test. Individuals who are most at risk of acquiring syphilis are: - Individuals with more than one sexual partner (heterosexuals and MSM) - Injection drug users and their partner(s) - Sex trade workers and their clients / partner(s) - People whose sexual partner has syphilis - People who have been diagnosed with another STI - If you are diagnosed and treated for syphilis, be sure to follow up with your doctor after treatment is done to make sure the infection is gone. It is also important that you or someone from your public health department notify any of your sexual or needle-sharing partners who may have been put at risk of infection. They will also need to be tested and possibly treated. Health Canada's Role Health Canada's Sexual Health and Sexually Transmitted Infections Section provides national leadership and coordination of programs, such as surveillance and targeted research studies, that deal with sexually transmitted infections. Working with the provincial and territorial governments, non-governmental organizations and health care providers, Health Canada develops evidence-based national standards and guidelines to direct policy development and promotes the exchange of information for the advancement of sexual health. Need More Info? For the information sheet Sexual Health and Sexually Transmitted Infections:What you need to know about Syphilis and what you can do about it For the information sheet, Where to go for help STI Helpline Telephone Numbers For more information on syphilis, see the Canadian Health Network and click on Sexuality/Reproductive Health and search for Syphilis Additional It's Your Health articles You can also call (613) 957-2991   No publisher cturnbull 2007-05-02T18:18:11Z Glossary definition