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County efforts keep local HIV/AIDS numbers low
By Karla Jensen/Cochise County
In his 2008 State of the Union Address, President Bush asked Congress to approve an additional $30 billion for emergency relief to fight HIV/AIDS in the hardest hit nations in Africa - a commitment that has already been put in place. The African countries that are currently in crisis mode are experiencing anywhere from 25 to 50 percent infection rates in their populations: this compares with the United States figures of about 0.6 percent of the population currently living with HIV/AIDS. On the other side of this coin is Senegal, an African country that records about 0.9 percent of the population living with HIV/AIDS.
The low numbers in the U.S. and Senegal can be attributed to active education, awareness and prevention programs in place. In the U.S. many of these programs are provided, free of charge, through county public health departments. Cochise County's numbers however, have risen significantly between 1996 and 2006 according to state numbers. This rise could be due to the lack of understanding by citizens that the Cochise County Health Department provides free testing, counseling and referral. This program was just approved for another year of funding at a recent Board of Supervisor's meeting.
So why is this important? Consider these realities:
Why should I be tested for HIV? How is HIV passed from person to person?
HIV can be spread in several ways: Having sex without a condom, Sharing drug injection equipment Blood transfusions, Organ transplants, Sharing razors, toothbrushes, needles for tattooing or other objects that may have blood on them. If a mother has HIV, it can be passed to her baby, either at birth or through breast-feeding.
Why Get Tested?
If you have HIV, your doctor can monitor the damage HIV is doing to your immune system. He or she can help you stay healthy longer AND help you decide the best time to start medical treatment. If you are or become pregnant, you can reduce the risk of passing HIV to your baby. If you know you have HIV, you can protect the person you have sex with from getting infected. If you have HIV, it is important to help the people you've had sex with or the people you've shared drugs with to get tested for HIV. A test counselor can also help you decide if your children need to be tested.
What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?
HIV is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is the virus that causes AIDS. Over time, HIV gradually weakens the body's ability to fight disease. HIV is life threatening.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the late stage of HIV infection. If a person has AIDS, it means that HIV has caused severe damage to the body's immune system.
The HIV Prevention Services Division offers free, confidential HIV antibody testing to all Cochise County residents age 13 and up.
This program also provides information and referral services to HIV infected individuals, their families and significant others.
For information or an appointment, email publichealth@co.cochise.az.us or contact Cochise County Nursing Director, Cindy Berry at (520) 432-9468.
The low numbers in the U.S. and Senegal can be attributed to active education, awareness and prevention programs in place. In the U.S. many of these programs are provided, free of charge, through county public health departments. Cochise County's numbers however, have risen significantly between 1996 and 2006 according to state numbers. This rise could be due to the lack of understanding by citizens that the Cochise County Health Department provides free testing, counseling and referral. This program was just approved for another year of funding at a recent Board of Supervisor's meeting.
So why is this important? Consider these realities:
Why should I be tested for HIV? How is HIV passed from person to person?
HIV can be spread in several ways: Having sex without a condom, Sharing drug injection equipment Blood transfusions, Organ transplants, Sharing razors, toothbrushes, needles for tattooing or other objects that may have blood on them. If a mother has HIV, it can be passed to her baby, either at birth or through breast-feeding.
Why Get Tested?
If you have HIV, your doctor can monitor the damage HIV is doing to your immune system. He or she can help you stay healthy longer AND help you decide the best time to start medical treatment. If you are or become pregnant, you can reduce the risk of passing HIV to your baby. If you know you have HIV, you can protect the person you have sex with from getting infected. If you have HIV, it is important to help the people you've had sex with or the people you've shared drugs with to get tested for HIV. A test counselor can also help you decide if your children need to be tested.
What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?
HIV is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is the virus that causes AIDS. Over time, HIV gradually weakens the body's ability to fight disease. HIV is life threatening.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the late stage of HIV infection. If a person has AIDS, it means that HIV has caused severe damage to the body's immune system.
The HIV Prevention Services Division offers free, confidential HIV antibody testing to all Cochise County residents age 13 and up.
This program also provides information and referral services to HIV infected individuals, their families and significant others.
For information or an appointment, email publichealth@co.cochise.az.us or contact Cochise County Nursing Director, Cindy Berry at (520) 432-9468.
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