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Sexually Transmitted Diseases
HIV

Care at Home
  1. How is HIV transmitted?
    • HIV is spread by any sexual behaviors (heterosexual or homosexual) that involve the exchange of certain body fluids, including vaginal fluids, semen, and blood. HIV can enter the body through the mouth, penis, vagina-vulva, and rectum.
    • The following do not transmit HIV: saliva, tears, sweat or urine. There is no evidence that you can get HIV from kissing.
    • HIV can be spread from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding.
    • HIV is also spread by sharing needles or syringes, for example, during injection of street drugs.
    • All donated blood in the United States is screened for HIV so that receiving donated blood is considered safe and HIV transmission is very rare.
    • Latex condoms are very effective at preventing HIV transmission during sexual intercourse.
  2. How long does it usually take for symptoms to appear once one is exposed?
    • The incubation period for HIV is days to weeks. Nearly always within 3 months.
  3. How can I get tested for HIV?
    • HIV is diagnosed with a blood test. This test may be done anonymously (you are given the result without your name ever being known) or confidentially (through your own doctor).
    • Anonymous testing sites can be located by calling the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention AIDS Hotline at: 1-800-342-AIDS, or simply 1-800-342-2437.
    • Whether done anonymously or confidentially, it is important that you share the information with your doctor.
  4. What is the treatment for HIV?
    • There is no known cure for HIV, but there are medications that can delay the onset of AIDS and keep a person feeling healthy for a long time.
  5. STD National Hotline
    • The CDC National STD Hotline provides information on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, HPV/genital warts, herpes, and HIV/AIDS. Specialists can provide general information, referrals to local clinics, and written materials about STDs and disease prevention.
    • Toll-free number (English): 1-800-227-8922
    • Toll-free number (Spanish): 1-800-344-7432
    • Visit the website: www.ashastd.org/NSTD/
  6. Pregnancy Test When In Doubt: If there is any doubt about the possibility of pregnancy, then obtain and use a urine pregnancy test from the store.
  7. Call your doctor IF:
    • Pregnancy test is positive; or if you have difficulties with the home pregnancy test.
    • Discharge from penis or unusual vaginal discharge.
  8. IF your symptoms become worse: Review Should I Call? recommendations.
REFERENCES & RESOURCES
  • American Social Health Association
    • "Answers to your questions about teen sexual health and sexually transmitted diseases"
    • Visit the website: www.iwannaknow.org
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines 2002. MMWR. 2002; 51(RR-6):1-80.
  • Public Health Agency of Canada
  • AIDSinfo
    • AIDSinfo is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of AIDS Research
    • "AIDSinfo is a comprehensive resource for up-to-date information on government and industry sponsored HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention clinical trials. AIDSinfo also maintains the most current, federally approved guidelines for treating and preventing HIV/AIDS in adults and children, for AIDS related illnesses, for managing occupational exposure to HIV and for preventing HIV transmission from mother-to-child during pregnancy."
    • Visit the website: aidsinfo.nih.gov/
  1. Symptom Description
  2. Should I Call?

Adult Housecalls. Copyright © 2001-2008. David Thompson, M.D.
Reviewed/Modified: Jan. 2008 by Intermountain Healthcare, Inc.


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