HIV

Women and AIDS
Every 9 minutes in the US, someone is infected with HIV. Every 13 minutes, someone dies from it. Statistics such as these paint the headlines in newspapers and on television newscasts across the country each day. What is not told however, is that women disproportionately are being infected with this fatal illness.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 1999 most women (40%) reported with AIDS were infected through heterosexual exposure to HIV, while injection drug use accounted for 27%.

More alarming is the fact that African-American and Hispanic-American women, together represent less than one-fourth of all U.S. women, yet account for more than three-fourth (77%) of AIDS cases reported to date among women in our country.

Local Testing
Women's Health Services is a local HIV testing site, offering free testing twice a month with a grant from the Clinton County Board of Health, the testing & counseling at Women's Health Services is performed by a representative of the Quad Cities Virology Center.

Now utilizing OraSure, HIV testing at Women's Health Services no longer involves a blood sample. Rather, OraSure takes cells from the inside of a person's mouth. To be tested, you must first call our office and schedule a test. Testing is absolutely confidential. In fact, you will only be asked to leave your first name.

At the time of your appointment, you can expect a pre-test counseling period during which a representative from the Quad Cities Virology Center will discuss your sexual history and health habits. Following this counseling, the test will be performed. OraSure is a stick with a flat cotton swab on one end that a person would suck on for 2 minutes. At the end of that time, the swab is rubbed on the inside of your cheek and then inserted in a tube, which is then sent to a Quad Cities lab that works up the results.

To get your results, you must make a return appointment as we do not give out any HIV test results over the telephone. At this follow-up, you will be counseled on ways to modify your sexual behavior, protecting both yourself and your partner from any future possible expose to the AIDS virus. If you test positive for HIV, Women's Health Services ensures that you are then connected with the proper organizations to help you.

All obstetrical patients are routinely offered an HIV test. If an expectant-mother tests positive for HIV, she can be given proper medications that prevent the passing of the AIDS virus to the fetus.

Remember, ...there is no cure for AIDS.

In addition to the HIV testing, Women's Health Services provides testing and treatment for many other sexually transmitted infections and diseases. If you notice anything different or wrong with your reproductive organs, contact Women's Health Services or your physician immediately. Early detection of STD can be crucial in protecting your future fertility and your life.

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Informative Links
There is an incredible number of websites designed to help people learn more about HIV/AIDS.
The following are a few that Women's Health Services finds beneficial. . .

The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation offers a daily HIV report with up-to-the minute details on the disease.

The AIDS Action Council is a network of 3,200 national community-based organizations and the one million HIV-positive Americans they help serve.

Sponsored by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention, this service abstracts news on HIV/AIDS, TB, and sexually transmitted diseases from major national newspapers, news services, and medical journals Monday through Friday.

The HIV/AIDS Program monitors the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Iowa and coordinates statewide HIV/AIDS prevention and care programs.

Viacom and the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation created "KNOW HIV/AIDS", a media campaign to eradicate ignorance surrounding HIV/AIDS. Begun in January 2003, a variety of television programming and public service announcements will air in the effort to better educate the United States public. The site also offers a wealth of information everything from the epidemic itself, to prevention and testing, as well as ways to get involved.

In addition to web links, if you are interested in having an educational presentation on HIV/AIDS at your school, church or civic organization, contact the health educators at Women's Health Services at 243-1413 or 800-664-1413 or e-mail them at womenshealth@dybb.com.

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