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Don't let myths about HIV/AIDS put your health at risk. Treatment and prevention have never been more effective!
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) remain significant public health concerns because of the long-term health impacts, ongoing transmission risk, continued disparities, and lack of education faced by affected communities. Delta County Public Health plays a vital role by providing education, conducting testing, and connecting individuals with necessary care.
What is HIV/AIDS
HIV attacks the white blood cells that help the body fight infection, which means it’s easier to get sick and harder to recover from being sick. When HIV infection is advanced or not treated with medication, it causes AIDS. HIV is spread through contact with certain body fluids: blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk. It can also be passed from a pregnant person to the baby. Intimate contact as well as sharing needles to inject drugs are common ways that HIV spreads. People cannot be infected through day-to-day contact, such as hugging, kissing, shaking hands, or sharing personal objects, like during a meal.
Testing & Treatment
Addressing HIV/AIDS is critical to protecting the health of Delta County residents, reducing long-term healthcare burden, and promoting health equity across rural communities. Everyone should be tested for HIV at least once in their lifetime. People who have a new sexual partner, more than one sexual partner, have had another sexually transmitted infection, or use injectable drugs should be screened more often, every 6-12 months. Getting tested is simple, and numerous rapid tests are available today, allowing you to receive results in about 15 minutes. While there is still no cure for HIV, it’s treatable with medicine called antiretroviral therapy (ART). People with HIV who take ART regularly can live long and dynamic lives.
Prevention
HIV can be effectively prevented with a medication known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Using PrEP can reduce the risk of contracting HIV by up to 99%. PrEP is recommended for people who are HIV-negative and meet any of the following criteria:
- Have a sexual partner who is HIV-positive
- Do not consistently use condoms
- Have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) within the past six months
- Inject drugs
If any of these apply to you, talk to your healthcare provider about whether PrEP is right for you. At Delta County Public Health, we offer free rapid HIV tests, follow-up testing, and PrEP. Come see us today!
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