candy
04-25-2006, 03:39 PM
Is it time to get tested?
HIV and Hepatitis C(HCV) can be spread through the sharing of needles and equipment used for injecting and snorting. It is important that anyone who has shared needles or equipment be tested for HIV and HCV. Both are spread through contact with blood. BUT....
HIV can be spread through: blood, semen, pre-cum, vaginal fluid, breast milk.
While HCV can be spread through sexual contact, it is more commonly spread through anal sex due to tearing of the mucous membranes. It is also best not to have sexual contact while a women is menstruating. Both HIV and HCV are present in menstrual blood.
While some of us may have been tested for HIV in the past, we need to be tested for Hep C as well. And you should test anytime you have put yourself at risk. There is what is called the "window period". This is the legnth of time after infection that it takes the body to develop enough antibodies to be detected by current tests. Most will develop antibodies after 4 weeks, but it can take up to 3 months and recent research has shown up to 6 months in some cases.
Even if you test negative, a repeat test should be done in 3-6 months to be sure of status.
While the incidence of sharing needles and equipment has decreased due to Needle Exchange Programs/Harm Reduction Programs and the availability of needles and other equipment, it is still a practice among injectors.
Of course anyone who engages in risky behavior is at risk for HIV/HCV and should be tested.
You can reduce your risks for HIV/HCV :
-Condoms- this includes vaginal and anal sex. If used during anal sex a water based lubricant is best and should be applied as often as needed to prevent tearing of the condom. Condoms will not prevent the spread of Herpes.
-Dental Dams-while they aren't the most fun to use, they should be used for anyone who has had multiple partners and is not aware of their HIV/HCV status; for anyone who is infected.
-Using Lubricant- Water based lubricant should be used, especially if your not using condoms and experience dryness or are having anal sex. During anal sex, tears in the anus can happen due to friction and plenty of lubrication will help to decrease this risk. While it is best to use condoms, lubrication can help to decrease your risks. Petroleum based products such as Vaseline will cause increased friction, especially with condoms and cause tears in the condoms.
-For those who inject, sharing needles and equipment puts you at a high risk for HIV/HCV. Use your own needles and equipment.
HIV/HCV can be spread through equipment used to snort with. Using your own straw or device you use to snort with will prevent the spread of HIV/HCV
-Bleaching- While bleaching is effective in killing off HIV, it is not effective in killing off the Hep C virus. HCV can live outside the host(the body) for up to 45 days and may be present in rinse water you share or other equipment used for injecting.
While your friend or someone you use with may state they are negative, it is still best to use your own equipment. You may want to respond by stating you wouldn't want to give them anything. No matter how well you know someone, sharing needles or equipment is just not a good idea.
Most sites that test for HIV offer HCV testing. Rapid HIV tests are available and you can know the results in an hour or less.
While many of us may not want to know, those who test positive and receive early treatment, live longer and have healthier outcomes.
And you may be spreading the virus to others without knowing.
It is a scary thing to think about and although you may not share needles any longer or engage in risky behavior, the virus for both HIV/HCV can lie dormant for many years.
HCV among injection drug users has increased in the number of new infections.
While there is a vaccination for Hepatitis A,B there is no vaccination for Hep C.
If anyone has any questions or concerns, you can post them or send me a PM.
Prevention is really the key. Why not play it safe, go get tested!
For those who have a needle exchange in their area, they most likely have free confidential testing. If not, contact your state department of health or local health agency and get info on free testing sites.
I want everyone to be safe and healthy. Enjoy yourself, but don't put yourself at risk!
http://http://www.hivtest.org/
HIV and Hepatitis C(HCV) can be spread through the sharing of needles and equipment used for injecting and snorting. It is important that anyone who has shared needles or equipment be tested for HIV and HCV. Both are spread through contact with blood. BUT....
HIV can be spread through: blood, semen, pre-cum, vaginal fluid, breast milk.
While HCV can be spread through sexual contact, it is more commonly spread through anal sex due to tearing of the mucous membranes. It is also best not to have sexual contact while a women is menstruating. Both HIV and HCV are present in menstrual blood.
While some of us may have been tested for HIV in the past, we need to be tested for Hep C as well. And you should test anytime you have put yourself at risk. There is what is called the "window period". This is the legnth of time after infection that it takes the body to develop enough antibodies to be detected by current tests. Most will develop antibodies after 4 weeks, but it can take up to 3 months and recent research has shown up to 6 months in some cases.
Even if you test negative, a repeat test should be done in 3-6 months to be sure of status.
While the incidence of sharing needles and equipment has decreased due to Needle Exchange Programs/Harm Reduction Programs and the availability of needles and other equipment, it is still a practice among injectors.
Of course anyone who engages in risky behavior is at risk for HIV/HCV and should be tested.
You can reduce your risks for HIV/HCV :
-Condoms- this includes vaginal and anal sex. If used during anal sex a water based lubricant is best and should be applied as often as needed to prevent tearing of the condom. Condoms will not prevent the spread of Herpes.
-Dental Dams-while they aren't the most fun to use, they should be used for anyone who has had multiple partners and is not aware of their HIV/HCV status; for anyone who is infected.
-Using Lubricant- Water based lubricant should be used, especially if your not using condoms and experience dryness or are having anal sex. During anal sex, tears in the anus can happen due to friction and plenty of lubrication will help to decrease this risk. While it is best to use condoms, lubrication can help to decrease your risks. Petroleum based products such as Vaseline will cause increased friction, especially with condoms and cause tears in the condoms.
-For those who inject, sharing needles and equipment puts you at a high risk for HIV/HCV. Use your own needles and equipment.
HIV/HCV can be spread through equipment used to snort with. Using your own straw or device you use to snort with will prevent the spread of HIV/HCV
-Bleaching- While bleaching is effective in killing off HIV, it is not effective in killing off the Hep C virus. HCV can live outside the host(the body) for up to 45 days and may be present in rinse water you share or other equipment used for injecting.
While your friend or someone you use with may state they are negative, it is still best to use your own equipment. You may want to respond by stating you wouldn't want to give them anything. No matter how well you know someone, sharing needles or equipment is just not a good idea.
Most sites that test for HIV offer HCV testing. Rapid HIV tests are available and you can know the results in an hour or less.
While many of us may not want to know, those who test positive and receive early treatment, live longer and have healthier outcomes.
And you may be spreading the virus to others without knowing.
It is a scary thing to think about and although you may not share needles any longer or engage in risky behavior, the virus for both HIV/HCV can lie dormant for many years.
HCV among injection drug users has increased in the number of new infections.
While there is a vaccination for Hepatitis A,B there is no vaccination for Hep C.
If anyone has any questions or concerns, you can post them or send me a PM.
Prevention is really the key. Why not play it safe, go get tested!
For those who have a needle exchange in their area, they most likely have free confidential testing. If not, contact your state department of health or local health agency and get info on free testing sites.
I want everyone to be safe and healthy. Enjoy yourself, but don't put yourself at risk!
http://http://www.hivtest.org/