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HIV is passed from an infected person when their blood, semen,
vaginal fluids, pre-cum, or breast milk enters another person's
body.
Unprotected
sex: Oral, anal or
vaginal sex without a latex barrier (condom, female condom, or dental
dam).
Unsterilized
needles: Drugs, tattoos,
steroids, body piercing.
Mother
to Fetus/Baby: During
pregnancy or while breast feeding.
Blood
Transfusion: Receiving
transfusions of blood and blood products donated by someone who
has HIV. (Predominantly before 1985.)
Many people avoid getting
tested for HIV because they believe that being HIV positive means
that your life is over. HIV/AIDS is not a death sentence. The reality
is that most people with HIV/AIDS go on to live long, productive
and fulfilling lives. People who test positive have many different
reactions: fear, depression, anxiety, sadness. If you test positive,
you will need support.
WHAT IS AN HIV ANTIBODY TEST?
The HIV antibody test
is a test to find out if you have been infected with the Human Immunodeficiency
Virus (HIV). Your blood is tested for HIV antibodies, the substance
your body produces when you have been infected with HIV. The HIV
test is not a test for AIDS.
An HIV positive
result means you have antibodies to HIV and therefore HIV is in
the blood. It does not tell you when or by whom you were infected
or how healthy your immune system is.
An HIV negative
result either means that you are not infected or that your body
hasn't developed antibodies yet. HIV antibodies can take six months
to show up in the blood. Testing negative does not mean that you
are immune to (will never get) HIV. If you test negative and have
been at risk in the past six months, you may want to take the test
again.
WHERE CAN I GET AN HIV TEST? 
HIV testing
is provided at both anonymous and confidential test sites.
At anonymous test
sites you use a code instead of your name, which prevents
you from being identified. The health department runs anonymous
testing. You can make an appointment by calling the New York City
Department of Health AIDS Hotline at (800) TALK - HIV
At confidential
test sites your test results are kept in a medical record
which has your name on it. Private doctors and health centers usually
offer confidential HIV testing. Confidential HIV testing is offered
at the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center.
CONFIDENTIAL HIV COUNSELING
AND TESTING AT THE ADOLESCENT HEALTH CENTER
Pre-test counseling
can help you learn more about HIV, what the test is like, how to
use protection and gives you a chance to ask questions. It also
can help you decide whether testing is the right choice for you.
Waiting for test results
can be stressful. If you are feeling anxious or concerned, tell
your HIV counselor and find a supportive family member or friend.
If your result is negative you can learn more about HIV, how it
is transmitted and how you can protect yourself. If you test positive,
the Adolescent Health Center will help you develop a plan of action
so you can obtain the services and support you need.
"Knowledge =
Power. If you don't know your HIV status, it's difficult to make
educated decisions. If you are negative, knowing can help motivate
you to stay negative. If you are positive, the earlier you know,
the earlier you can make the changes necessary to stay healthy living
with HIV."
Dr. Daniel Medeiros, Adolescent Health Center
I'm a 21-year-old
female born with HIV. I was diagnosed at age 12. All I knew was
I had to keep it a secret. I never talked about it with anyone.
I was afraid I was going to lose my friends. Finally, I met a lot
of peers like myself. It felt good to be able to talk about it and
not be afraid. I learned how to respect other people and understood
my illness more. I became a better person. Now I am able to teach
others about the virus. My current boyfriend is not HIV positive,
and he loves me and accepts me for what I am and what I have. I
feel that if you want something, you have to go after it and be
honest. In due time you will get what you want. This is my life
and I learned to love myself. I have accepted what I have andnow
I have everything I've ever wanted: friends and loved ones. You
can, too.
Sunshine, age 21
Lots of people are living
with HIV/AIDS. Some of them have known for years; others may have
just found out, and some may not even know. Someone who is HIV positive
or has AIDS has the same potential, like anyone else to live a healthy
and happy life. There are many challenges that come with living
with HIV/AIDS, and there are many people, resources and organizations
you can turn to.
CLINICS
AND DOCTORS CAN HELP YOU LOOK AT:
COUNSELORS
AND SUPPORT GROUPS CAN HELP YOU EXPLORE:
 "I
remember what went through my mind when my father told me:
"Is he serious? How? Who? What? Why?" I was only 14, and this
thing was pretty new to me. It was something I didn't know
much about and it had never hit home before. I didn't want
to accept it at first but had no choice in the end. "My father
has HIV." Four words that I was not able to deal with or understand.
He told me about the disease and how it could be transmitted.
At first I was very scared. I remember him telling me that,
no matter what, he loved me. Before then I never thought about
losing my father. This was my wake-up call. My father passed
away when I was 16. I try as hard as I can to help people
realize that HIV and AIDS are out there and are very, very
real."
Michael,
SPEEK Peer Educator, age 18
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Many people have lost
friends and family to AIDS. We often focus on the person who has
HIV/AIDS and overlook ourselves. If someone you care about is HIV
positive or has AIDS, you need to get help for yourself. Counseling
and support groups can help you handle depression, anger and any
other emotions that you may be feeling.
When a friend or family
member dies, it can be hard to express your emotions. Since talking
about AIDS can be difficult, it may be even harder to reach out
for help. Still, the best way to deal with grief is to talk it out.
You might feel angry, hurt, guilty, relieved, sad, confused, or
helpless. You need to cope with your grief. Talk to someone about
how you are feeling, whether it is a friend, a teacher, a family
member or a counselor. They can help you express yourself and grow
stronger. Coping with loss is a slow process. Don't expect to get
over it quickly. Don't shut down, reach out.
"If you
love somebody, tell them you love them before they're gone.
When I was talking about my father two years ago, and he was
still alive, my friend Melissa told me, "Appreciate him while
he is here and tell him you love him." I did. I still don't
feel it is enough, because now he's gone. No matter what,
if you have someone that you love a lot, tell them that you
love them. Don't let the time go by. I didn't know how real
that was until it happened to me. Just always tell somebody
that you love them, because when they're gone, it feels so
empty without them."
Dorothy,
SPEEK Peer educator, age 18
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