HIV - Fact or Fiction Trivia Quiz

Answer: False

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system. Eventually, the virus causes a condition called AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. People with AIDS cannot fight off infections like healthy people can.

They are more susceptible to certain cancers and infections (called "opportunistic infections") that a person without AIDS is not.

Answer: False

Sadly, the statistics show that approximately '11 in every 1000 adults aged 15 to 49 is HIV-infected' (worldwide).

The WHO (World Health Organization) states that HIV is the SIXTH leading cause of death in teenagers. This is a frightening statistic.

According to www.aegis.com, "In 2003, approximately 2,000 children under the age of 15 years, and 6,000 young people aged 15 to 24 years became infected with HIV every day."

Answer: True

Almost half of the adults living with HIV or AIDS are women. Yet, the majority of women are not aware of this fact and do not get adequate treatment.

Answer: True

About one-quarter to one-third of all untreated pregnant women infected with the virus will pass the virus to their babies. This is termed 'vertical transmission.'

Answer: True

Breast milk is considered a 'bodily fluid' - one of the main transmission risks of HIV.

Answer: True

HIV is most commonly spread by sexual contact with an infected partner. It can also be spread through contact with infected blood.

Answer: False

Although HIV has been detected in the saliva of infected individuals, no studies have been shown to prove that the virus is spread through contact with saliva. (There is a theory - although, just a theory - that saliva might have compounds that inhibit the HIV.) No evidence has shown that casual kissing is a transmission risk of the disease. HOWEVER, there is a possibility that so-called 'deep' kissing (involving large amounts of saliva) could present a risk factor.

Answer: False

Studies have been done on families of HIV-infected individuals. These studies have clearly shown that sharing common items does not present a risk of transmission. It's also important to note that HIV is not spread by biting insects, such as mosquitoes or bedbugs.

Answer: True

Having another sexually transmitted disease _does_ increase the risk of acquiring HIV from an infected partner.

Answer: False

Most people do not have any outward symptoms of HIV when initially infected. Some people will have flu-like symptoms that seem to resolve within a week to a month. However, the HIV is present in large quantities during this time, and the individual is highly infectious.

Answer: True

HIV testing is usually done in a doctor's office or clinic. Testing should always include some form of counseling by someone trained in the disease. If a person is very likely to be infected with HIV and both the ELISA and Western Blot are negative, a doctor might check the blood itself for the presence of the virus.

Answer: True

At the time of writing, in 2004, there is no vaccine for HIV. The only way to protect oneself is to avoid the risk factors of the disease (such as sharing needles and having unprotected sex). Because many HIV positive individuals don't have any outward symptoms, there is no way to tell, for sure, whether a partner is infected unless he or she has been repeatedly tested for the virus or has not engaged in risky behavior.

Since 1985, lab screening and donor selection in developed countries have made the risk of contracting AIDS from donated blood a much lower risk than it once was. AEGIS states, 'Greater public awareness of AIDS and greater sophistication among blood banks in discouraging at-risk individuals from donating blood has helped to increase the safety of the blood supply.' It is also vital that the public is educated about the disease. Knowing fact from fiction is an important start in getting the disease under control.

Answer: False

Researchers have not found any evidence, through many clinical studies, that spermicides kill the HIV organisms. In fact, there is some evidence that spermicides could actually increase the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Common sense says that the only way to avoid acquiring sexually transmitted HIV is to completely abstain from intercourse.

The next best way is to use a latex condom (preferably lubricated with a WATER-based lubricant).

Answer: True

In 1994, it was discovered that the vertical transmission (mother to unborn baby) rate was significantly reduced if the proper procedures were followed during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postnatal care. Anti-HIV drugs given in this way lowers the vertical transmission risk from between 20 percent and 25 percent to 8 percent or even less.

It is vital that HIV positive, pregnant women have good and proper prenatal care in order to possibly prevent HIV transmission.

Answer: False

HIV is just the virus that causes the condition known as AIDS. The virus weakens the immune system to the point that infections that would rarely be seen in individuals with normal immune systems become deadly to HIV-infected individuals.

Answer: False

For the most part, a person who is infected with HIV will eventually develop AIDS. However, believe it or not, there is a VERY small (less than 50) group of people who have been infected with HIV over 12 years ago that have not developed the AIDS symptoms. Researchers do not know what may have caused this unusual occurrence. Scientists are hoping that the study of these people might give the possibility of future HIV vaccines.

Answer: True

Early detection and early treatment by an HIV specialist (often different than a general physician) are key to a longer life. Period.

Answer: False

Needlesticks should always be carefully washed with plain soap and water. Next, the incident should be reported to the local infection control or occupational health department. Prompt reporting is VITAL - postexposure treatment should be started within 1 to 2 hours. The risk of acquiring HIV from an occupational needlestick is low, but it's not zero.

Answer: True

Only latex or polyurethanecondoms and water-based lubricants should be used during sex. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) strongly suggests that individuals either abstain from sex or use condoms during oral, anal or vaginal sex.

Answer: True

AEGIS was started in the early 1990s by both Jamie Jemison and Sister Mary Elizabeth. It's updated on a regular basis and provides an incredible amount of education about HIV and AIDS. 'Information and education. The primary ways to stop the epidemic of AIDS' (C. Everett Koop, MD). Look for AEGIS org. on the internet.