What if I think I'm HIV positive?

HIV is transmitted in a very small number of ways. You may be at risk if a condom breaks, if you have sex without a condom with a partner whose HIV status is unknown to you, or if you are sharing injecting equipment.

If you are concerned you may have been exposed to HIV, talk to your GP or hospital for an assessment. Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is available from the Alfred Hospital - (03) 9076 2000. PEP is a treatment which is thought to reduce the transmission of HIV. Treatment needs to be started within 72 hours after HIV exposure. The sooner it is started the more likely it is to be effective.

Melbourne Sexual Health Clinic has a website where you can check your risk of HIV and STI's. You can also download a form and take it to your GP to assist in tests you may need.

To arrange a confidential HIV test in Melbourne contact Melbourne Sexual Health Centre
03 9347 0244 or Toll Free 1800 032 017 or the Alfred Hospital 03 9076 3009

How did you get it?

HIV positive women don't need to answer this question because it doesn't matter. We believe people should be treated the same no matter how they became infected. The majority of women were infected the same way - by trusting a partner. Many of our members had unprotected sex with boyfriends or husbands, not knowing they were already infected with HIV. Some members were infected from sharing needles, some from being raped. People in relationships may decide to stop using condoms without knowing if either of them are infected with HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. Communication and honesty are very important in preventing transmission of sexually transmitted infections. We recommend that before having unprotected sex, couples both be tested for HIV and STI's.

Can 'straight' people get HIV?

The majority of HIV+ people worldwide are heterosexual. Unprotected sex, vaginal or anal intercourse puts both partners at risk, but the woman is more vulnerable to HIV infection from a male partner.

Am I safe because I'm in a monogamous relationship or married?

Either of you may have been infected before your relationship. If not, if your partner is unfaithful, you can still get HIV. Know your own and your partner's HIV status. This knowledge can help uninfected women begin and maintain behavioural changes that reduce the risk of becoming infected. For women who are found to be infected, it can assist in getting early treatment and avoiding infecting others.

Why do I need to get tested for HIV?

Many HIV+ people are unaware of their status. They may feel healthy and not think they are at risk. But anyone of any age, gender, race, sexual orientation, or social or economic class can become infected. It is what you do that puts you at risk. If you have used dirty needles or had unprotected sex, a sexually transmitted disease, or hepatitis C you should be tested. It is important to know your HIV status so you don't infect anyone else. If you are HIV positive you will be able to access more treatment options the earilier you are diagnosed.

To arrange a confidential HIV test in Melbourne you can contact :

Melbourne Sexual Health Centre
03 9347 0244 or Toll Free 1800 032 017
www.mshc.org.au

Alfred Hospital
03 9076 3009

Why should I get tested if there is no cure for HIV?

There is no cure for HIV. But there are drugs that can slow down the virus and protect your immune system. There are also drugs to treat and prevent opportunistic infections (OIs). If you do not know your status you cannot get the health care and treatment you may need to stay well. You are also more likely to unknowingly pass HIV to others.

Are lesbians at risk of contracting HIV?

Women who only have sex with women are generally at lower risk of contracting HIV. Women who consider themselves lesbians but occasionally have sex with men can become infected this way. Female-to-female transmission of HIV appears to be a rare occurrence.

However, there are case reports of female-to-female transmission of HIV. The well documented risk of female-to-male transmission of HIV shows that vaginal secretions and menstrual blood may contain the virus and that mucous membrane (e.g., oral, vaginal) exposure to these secretions has the potential to lead to HIV infection.

In order to reduce the risk of HIV transmission, women who have sex with women should do the following:

• Avoid exposure of a mucous membrane, such as the mouth, (especially non-intact tissue) to vaginal secretions and menstrual blood.
• Use condoms consistently and correctly each and every time for sexual contact with men or when using sex toys.
• Sex toys should not be shared.
• No barrier methods for use during oral sex have been evaluated as effective. However, natural rubber latex sheets, dental dams, cut open condoms, or plastic wrap may offer some protection from contact with body fluids during oral sex and possibly reduce the risk of HIV transmission.

Can HIV be spread through casual contact?

HIV cannot be spread through tears, sweat, and saliva. Casual contact is not risky because it does not include contact with infectious body fluids. Examples of casual contact include: social kissing, use of public facilities (pools, theaters, toilets), sharing drinks or eating utensils, etc. Insect bites do not transmit HIV.

Where can I get tested for HIV infection?

Many places provide testing for HIV infection. Common testing locations include medical clinics, general practitioners/doctors, hospitals.

To arrange to have a confidential HIV test in Melbourne contact

Melbourne Sexual Health Centre 03 9347 0244 or Toll free 1800 032 017

Alfred Hospital Infectious Diseases Unit 03 9276 3009

If I test HIV negative, does that mean that my partner is HIV negative also?

No. Your HIV test result reveals only your HIV status. Your negative test result does not indicate whether or not your partner has HIV. HIV is not necessarily transmitted every time there is an exposure. Therefore, you taking an HIV test should not be seen as a method to find out if your partner is infected. Testing should never take the place of protecting yourself from HIV infection. If your behaviours or your partners behaviours are putting you at risk for exposure to HIV, it is important to reduce your risks. Practice safe sex, use a latex condom to help protect both you and your partner from HIV and other STI's. Studies have shown that latex condoms are very effective, though not perfect, in preventing HIV transmission when used correctly and consistently. If either partner is allergic to latex, plastic (polyurethane) condoms for either the male or female can be used.

What if I test positive for HIV?

If you test positive for HIV, the sooner you take steps to protect your health, the better. Early medical treatment and a healthy lifestyle can help you stay well. Prompt medical care may delay the onset of AIDS and prevent some life-threatening conditions.

There are a number of important steps you can take immediately to protect your health:

• See a health care provider who specialises in HIV, even if you do not feel sick.
• Ask for a referral to a health care provider who has experience treating HIV. There are now many medications to treat the HIV infection and help you maintain your health. It is never too early to start thinking about treatment possibilities.
• Avoid smoking cigarettes, drinking too much alcohol, or using recreational drugs. These will weaken your immune system.
• There are programs available that can help you reduce or stop using these substances. There is much you can do to stay healthy.

Learn all that you can about maintaining good health.

Can I still have a baby?

Half of our members already have children. But some of our members would like more children, and some women would like to start a family. It is a difficult decision to make. Some women gave birth before they knew they were infected with HIV. Some positive women have babies who are not infected with HIV while others were born with the HIV infection. Women thinking about pregnancy now have access to new drug treatments. These can reduce the chances of having an infected baby to almost no risk at all (less than 2%). For some women this is still too much of a risk, for other women it is not. Every woman has the right to make her own decision about babies.

Now available from our office a book written in Australia by Karalyn McDonald - Common Threads: Women's stories about pregnancy, parenting and living with HIV