STI AND

HIV/AIDS
ALERT

PREPARED BY: ISHI M. VALENZONA

SUBMITTED TO: SIR JANSEN VILLAFUERTE


What Is HIV?
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks
cells that help the body fight infection, making a person
more vulnerable to other infections and diseases. It is
spread by contact with certain bodily fluids of a person
with HIV, most commonly during unprotected sex (sex
without a condom or HIV medicine to prevent or treat
HIV), or through sharing injection drug equipment.
What Is AIDS?
AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection that occurs when the
body’s immune system is badly damaged because of the
virus.
How Do I Know If I Have HIV?
The only way to know for sure if you have HIV is to get
tested. Testing is relatively simple. You can ask your health
care provider for an HIV test. Many medical clinics,
substance abuse programs, community health centers,
and hospitals offer them too. You can also buy a home
testing kit at a pharmacy or online.
STAGES OF INFECTION
There are four stages of HIV and as with all illnesses, how it
progresses, how long it takes and the affect it has on the
individual depends on a number of factors for example,
general health, lifestyle, diet etc.
Stage 1: Infection
HIV quickly replicates in the body after infection. Some
people develop short lived flu-like symptoms for example,
headaches, fever, sore throat and a rash within days to
weeks after infection. During this time the immune system
reacts to the virus by developing antibodies – this is
referred to as ‘sero-conversion’.
Stage 2: Asymptomatic
As the name suggests, this stage of HIV infection does not
cause outward signs or symptoms. A person may look and
feel well but HIV is continuing to weaken their immune
system. This stage may last several years (an average of 8
to 10 years) and without a HIV test many people do not
know they are infected.
Stage 3: Symptomatic
Over time the immune system becomes damaged and
weakened by HIV and symptoms develop. Initially they
can be mild but they do worsen, symptoms include
fatigue, weight loss, mouth ulcers, thrush and severe
diarrhoea. The symptoms are caused by the emergence
of opportunistic infections; they are referred to as
opportunistic infections because they take advantage of
a person’s weakened immune system. Some examples of
opportunistic infections are PCP, toxoplasmosis, TB and
kaposi sarcoma.
Stage 4: AIDS/Progression of HIV to AIDS
There is no single test for AIDS; doctors will look at a variety
of symptoms including the CD4 count, the viral load and
the presence of opportunistic infections in order to make
an AIDS diagnosis.
How is HIV transmitted from one person to another?
Contact between broken skin, wounds, or mucous
membranes and HIV-infected blood or blood-
contaminated body fluids. Deep, open-mouth kissing if
both partners have sores or bleeding gums and blood
from the HIV-positive partner gets into the bloodstream of
the HIV-negative partner. HIV is not spread through saliva.
an infectious disease or liver specialist before
beginning therapy. You will need a blood test to
check your kidney function before taking this drug.
 Tell your sexual partners if you have HIV. It's
important to tell all your current and past sexual
partners that you're HIV-positive. They'll need to be
tested.
 Use a clean needle. If you use a needle to inject
drugs, make sure it's sterile and don't share it. Take
advantage of needle-exchange programs in your
community and consider seeking help for your
drug use.

PREVENTION  If you're pregnant, get medical care right away. If

 Use a new condom every time you have sex. Use a
new condom every time you have anal or vaginal
sex. Women can use a female condom. If using
lubricant, make sure it's water-based. Oil-based
lubricants can weaken condoms and cause them
to break. During oral sex use a nonlubricated, cut-
open condom or a dental dam — a piece of
medical-grade latex.
you're HIV-positive, you may pass the infection to
your baby. But if you receive treatment during
pregnancy, you can cut your baby's risk
significantly.
 Consider male circumcision. There's evidence that
male circumcision can help reduce a man's risk of
getting HIV infection.

 Consider the drug Truvada. The drug emtricitabine-

tenofovir (Truvada) can reduce the risk of sexually
transmitted HIV infection in people at very high risk.
You need to take it every day. It doesn't prevent
other STIs, so you'll still need to practice safe sex. If
you have hepatitis B you should be evaluated by
 COMMUNITIES THAT HELP PEOPLE WITH HIV
Founded and led by Ronivin Pagtakhan, TLY is grounded in
its belief that self worth is the key to building an
empowered community. Apart from providing discreet
testing services, they also offer education and counselling
that caters to the youth and MSM (men having sex with
men) community. They also organize activities to spread
awareness.
Website:www.loveyourself.ph
Contact: info@loveyourself.ph
Via AIDS Society of the Philippines' facebook
ASP is composed of people from the government, non-
government agencies, and the private sector who share
the same goal in preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS.
They have managed over 60 projects with international
support, aiding in advising the Philippine National AIDS
Council on national policies.
Website: AidsPhil.org
Contact: info@aidsphil.org

Via The Red Whistle's facebook
Aiming to empower and inspire communities to band
together against HIV and AIDS, TRW utilizes media and
popular culture as a way to change the way people look
at this disease. Their goal is to spread awareness –
acknowledging that HIV and AIDS exist and that it needs
to be acted upon. Through their spokespersons and
partnered brands, they raise funds to provide free testing,
counseling, and financial support to People Living with HIV
(PLHIV).
Website: TheRedWhistle
Contact: http://www.theredwhistle.com/contact.html
Via B-Change Group's facebook
B-Change founder Laurindo Garcia is the first Asian gay
man living with HIV to address an international forum – a
stage he shared with the likes of former US President Bill
Clinton and Nobel prize winner Dr. Françoise Barré-Sinoussi,
among other public health and human rights champions.
The organization, founded in 2011, aims to integrate
technology and social change through web applications
and social media, connecting the youth to allies and
other peers.
Website: B-Change
Contact: B-Change Facebook
Via ACHIEVE's facebook
ACHIEVE’s programs focus on migration, health, gender,
sexuality, and reproductive health. Led by Ms. Mara
Quesada-Bondad as Executive Director, ACHIEVE is also a
member of the Coordination of Action Research on AIDS
and Mobility in Asia (CARAM-Asia), a regional network of
organizations working on health, migration, human rights,
and HIV and AIDS issues in the Asian region.
Website: Achieve.org.ph
Contact: Email Achieve
Via PAFPI's facebook
PAFPI is geared towards assisting patients and affected
family members through counselling and psychological
support services, providing education and care for AIDS
symptoms at home. They run a regular soup kitchen at the
HIV ward of San Lazaro Hospital, and have established a
drop-in center called Bahay Kanlungan, which provides
temporary shelter to people living with HIV (PLHIV).
Contact: PAFPI gmail
Bahay Kanlungan is located at 15 Dian St., Malate, Manila.
You may contact them at (02) 528 4531.
Via Pinoy Plus Association's facebook
Composed of people living with HIV and AIDS, PPA+ is the
only association of its kind in the Philippines. They represent
the PLHIV community in the Philippines, and offers
counselling, referral, and care and support programs. They
also offer skill-building for its members and other interested
individuals. The association also holds position as a
member at the Philippine National AIDS Council.
Contact: Pinoy Plus
PPA+ is located at 1805 P. Guevarra St., Sta. Cruz, Manila.
You may reach them at (02) 743 7293.
Via Take The Test Project 's facebook
The TTT was the first on-site voluntary counseling and
testing project. They promoted knowing one’s status as a
form of sexual empowerment. They hold annual on-site
HIV testing every Holy Week in Puerto Galera, advocating
responsible sexual health and HIV/AIDS education. They
have also partnered with government agencies and the
academic community, establishing themselves as a
credible organization in bringing education and testing
closer to all communities.
Website: Take The Test
Contact: Take The Test Facebook
Know other orgs? Please post the details in the comments!