Show HIV HI Wont Won't Discriminate is Not Immune By Ernie Geddes Staff Writer ter Since 1983 over 1800 have have been infected with Human 4 Immune Det Deficiency Virus HIV Over 1 thousand of those infected developed Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome AIDS and of those who developed AIDS have died Barbara Shaw executive director of the Utah AIDS foundation foundation foundation foun foun- dation is trying to change the fu future future future fu- fu ture of those figures The Foundations Foundation's mission is two fold first to prevent the spread of the disease through education and second to provide compassionate service to not only those who are infected but butto butto butto to families friends workers co-workers and anyone else who is impacted by the disease Blood semen and vaginal fluids are the three bodily fluids that transmit HIV HIV attacks the T-cells T of the human immune system eventually leading to the onset of AIDS Shaw said that students students students stu stu- stu- stu dents at Salt Lake Community College are not immune HIV is transmitted by having unprotected sex including oral sex Shaw said Anal sex is also risky due to the tearing of the mucous membranes But really you need to be concerned about anywhere the virus can enter you body when exposed to the three fluids Anywhere you have a cut where the virus can enter when exposed is a possible risk Sharing needles is another way to become infected ted It doesn't matter if it is a intravenous in- in or under the skin injection injection tion if you use a needle that someone someone someone some some- one else has used you are going to tobe tobe tobe be exposed to their blood Safer Sex classes are available available available avail avail- able at the foundation and Shaw had a few tips for sexually ac- ac ti ts Of co course you know that if you participate in sexual intercourse intercourse intercourse inter inter- course you should be using a. a l tex haw said But tf sexual J intercourse coune i is s snot not the only 1 form of transmission Oral sex is risky Shaw said and if you and your partner are arc involved in manual stimulation you should wear gloves Shaw said the fastest growing group of HIV HI V positive individuals in is women most of them heterosexual some of them IV drug users or the partner of an all IV drug ding user For many years HIV and AIDS was considered a gay disease Shaw said Gay men are very easy to talk to and they know about HI HIV V. V The gay Community community community com com- polices itself What we are having a problem with now is men that have sex with both men and women but dont don't identify themselves as gay or even bisexual Shaw said that this group is usually having clandestine sex some of it unprotected with unknown unknown unknown un un- known partners They can easily transmit HIV to their partners Shaw said Shaw said students that think they might have been infected should get tested The Heal Health th Department has testing centers throughout the valley and a confidential hotline 1 at There are two types of testing available anonymous and con con- Confidential costs 15 and uses your name anonymous testing costs 20 and uses a num num- ber Results take two weeks If you test negative ve you should wait another two to three months and be tested again Shaw said There is a window period for the infection and your body wont won't start making antibodies antibodies antibodies an an- to the virus for up to three months after infection Continued on Page 2 HIV Is Not Immune Continued From Page One If you test positive the first thing tiling you need to do is get yourself to a doctor Shaw said Early medical treatment is key to slowing the onset Shaw said The overall health of the individual at the time of infection also seems to tobe tobe tobe be a factor Look at Magic Johnson and Greg Louganis Shaw said patients need to take care of themselves no smoking and better nutrition Shaw also said patients need to come to the foundation to get the help they need We are a volunteer driven or or- Currently we have over volunteers and 16 full rull and part- part time staff members The foundation will be holding a Walk Valk for Life on June 17 at Liberty Park at approximately approximately approximately ap ap- ap- ap proximately East and South |