HIV and AIDS Information

Downloadable PDF's:

Click on a PDF below in the downloadable resources section to open and print. These were not created by BASS. Each PDF has the organizations name and contact information, that is responsible for putting it out for the public. All credit for their creation goes to the individual organizations.

HIV is transmitted by:

• Having unprotected sex-vaginal, anal, or oral-with an infected person. Unprotected sex is sexual intercourse without consistent and correct condom use.
• Using or being stuck with a needle or syringe that has been used by or for an infected person.
• Giving birth-Women with HIV infection can pass the virus to their babies during pregnancy or childbirth. In some cases, they can also pass it on when breast-feeding.
• Receiving blood- Some people have been infected by receiving blood transfusions. However, the risk of infection through blood transfusions has been eliminated since 1985 when careful and widespread screening and testing of the blood supply for evidence of HIV became standard practice.

Risky Behaviors:

• Sharing needles to inject drugs or steroids.
• Unprotected sex with either gender.
• Having sex with an already infect HIV person.
• History of having any other sexually transmitted diseases.
• Had a blood transfusion from 1978 to 1985.
• Had sex with anyone who could answer yes to any of the above.

Testing and Counseling:

We at Butte AIDS Support Services offer HIV testing at no charge. We offer anonymous testing. Our testing is done in a private setting. All testing personal are trained and certified by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) in testing and counseling.

• Confidential: Your name and test results will be seen only by the testing personal at the testing site.
• Anonymous: Your name is never given to the testing site. Only you and the testing counselor know your test results.

Test Types:

Rapid HIV tests are used to find the presence of antibodies to HIV in your blood. Results from the rapid tests are available in 20 minutes. According to the CDC, rapid HIV tests are as accurate as the ELISA tests or 99% accurate.

The ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) is a screening test that is widely used. It can be performed relatively quickly and easily. If a reactive (so called "positive") result occurs, the test is repeated to verify the first test results.

Testing Positive:

A positive test result means that you have HIV antibodies, and are infected with HIV. You will get your test result from an HIV counselor who should tell you what to expect, and where to get health services and emotional support.

Testing positive does not mean that you have AIDS! Many people who test positive stay healthy for several years, even if they don't start taking medication right away.

If you test negative and you have not been exposed to HIV for at least three months, then you haven’t been exposed to HIV.

Once the immune system has been damaged, opportunistic infections begin to appear. The most common infection is a type of pneumonia, a serious lung infection. Having certain serious infections marks the difference between HIV and AIDS.

Possible other symptoms:

• various cancers
• weight loss
• fungal, bacterial or viral infections
• dementia
• bacterial infections

How do you protect yourself?

• Use condoms every time you have sex.
• Abstain from sex
• Know your partners HIV status
• Get tested regularly, ever 3 to 6 months is suggested for sexually active individuals.
• Avoid sharing needles, if you need to use, bleach to sterilize your points.