Stop The Spread

About HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. The immune system protects the body from infections and disease, but has no clear way to protect it from HIV. HIV finds and destroys a type of white blood cell (T cells or CD4 cells) that the immune system must have to fight disease. Over time, most people infected with HIV become less able to fight off the germs that we are all exposed to every day. People infected with HIV may have no symptoms for 10 or more years. They may not know they are infected. An HIV test is the only way to find out if you have HIV.

About AIDS

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the final stage of HIV infection. It can take years for a person infected with HIV, even without treatment, to reach this stage. Having AIDS means that the virus has weakened the immune system to the point at which the body has a difficult time fighting infections. When someone has one or more of these infections and a low number of T cells, he or she has AIDS. AIDS has serious health consequences, it can interfere with quality of life and there is no cure.

HIV/AIDS Data

Through 2005, there were 81,657 persons living with HIV/AIDS in Florida, of which 51% were black.

The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) estimates that approximately 125,000 HIV-infected persons were living in Florida in 2005, including about 31,000 (25%) who were unaware of their infection.

FDOH has partnered with many community providers in ten of Florida's counties that are disproportionately affected by HIV and AIDS. In these counties, the estimated number of infections among those unaware of their infection was approximately 24,414, including 12,481 (52%) blacks.

Importance of Testing

Knowing you HIV status is critical to stopping the spread of the infection. The Florida Department of Health has partnered with various community testing providers in ten of Florida's counties that are disproportionately affected by HIV and AIDS. Health departments offer testing at minimal charge, but no fee is charged for those who can't afford it. For more testing sites, call 1-800-FLA-AIDS, or text your zip code to 477493.

About AIDS

Are you at risk for HIV? Have you ever…

• + had unprotected anal, vaginal or oral sex?
• + had sex while under the influence of drugs and alcohol?
• + received or given sex for drugs, money or other items?
• + shared needles, syringes, or “works” for injecting drugs, tattooing or piercing?
• + had an STD (sexually transmitted disease) such as gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, or Chlamydia?
• + been pregnant or are currently pregnant?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, it's time to take an HIV test.

What Testing Results Mean

NEGATIVE means: you are not infected with HIV or you could be infected, but your body hasn't yet begun producing antibodies.

REACTIVE means: you are most likely infected with HIV. Another sample (blood or oral) must be collected to confirm the reactive result and results will be returned to your test site within about 2 weeks.

POSITIVE means: you are infected with HIV and can infect others. Once diagnosed with HIV or AIDS the local health department is able to assist you with medical, prevention, and supportive services.

If your confirmatory test is positive, a health worker from your local county health department will most likely contact you to discuss your result and help you with health care. You are also able to go to your local health department and obtain your result (with picture ID).

About HIV Testing:

Both confidential HIV testing and anonymous HIV testing are available to anyone who requests it.

Confidential testing means that the person's name and test results are kept in a private medical file.

Anonymous testing means a person is given a number when being tested and he or she can only be identified by that number - no name is recorded.

Spread the Word

Download wallpaper for your desktop. Put one of our banners on your MySpace page. There are tons of ways you can spread the word on how getting tested for HIV is important. Let's put an end to HIV and AIDS. Let's stop the spread.

Desktop Wallpapers

Web Banners

Downloads

Here are some more ways you can help stop the spread: download the radio spots and print creative below and pass them on.

• Answering Machine Radio Spot
• Survey Kanye Radio Spot
• Stop The Spread Palm Card
• Stop The Spread Poster