Frequently Asked Questions
SOME FACTS ABOUT
HIV and AIDS
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Yes, it’s more information about HIV
and AIDS being thrown at you. It’s been
decades since the world woke up to
the emergency of these conditions. For
years now, we get the dire warnings
in the papers, on the television, in the
movies and from famous people.
You get the message,
right?
Well, somebody isn’t getting the
message.
The most recent estimates put the
number of people living with HIV in
Trinidad and Tobago at over 20,000
of the estimated adult population.
That’s 1.6 per cent of the entire
population! Many believe the actual
number of infected is much higher
than the estimates. In some Caribbean
countries, there are signs that the rate
of infection is slowing – not so with
Trinidad and Tobago.
Many people think they know all about
HIV and AIDS, but they don’t. And the
most important thing they don’t know is
how easy it is to get and, in turn, to pass
it on to someone else.
So maybe you might learn something
from this booklet that could save
your life. If you are one of those wellinformed people who know everything
they need to know about HIV and AIDS,
then maybe you can use the info in the
booklet to teach your partner and… your
pardnas.
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What is HIV?
What is
AIDS?
How does
my body
protect me?
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HIV is the virus that can lead to
AIDS. Through contaminated bodily
fluids, HIV infects some of the
very cells the body uses to fight
off disease, making it easier to
contract those illnesses which
most people normally resist.
HIV stands for:
Human: To date, the virus has
proven to affect humans only.
AIDS is a collection of symptoms
and infections brought on by
damage to the immune system
caused by HIV. The late stage of
the condition leaves individuals
susceptible to many infections and
tumors.
AIDS stands for: Acquired:
Meaning it is a virus a person
contracts as opposed to a condition
that is hereditary (passed on
through genes).
The first line of protection your
body provides against infections is
your skin which acts as a barrier.
The sweat glands in it get rid of
waste. The skin may also act as
a doorway for germs to enter and
infect your body through injury.
The tiny hair and fluids in your
body openings also protect you.
Nostrils have hair and mucus to
keep out germs carried in the air.
Immunodeficiency: The virus
causes the immune system to
lack the required elements for it to
function properly.
Virus: The micro-organism
responsible for the infection.
It is extremely small and can only
survive and multiply within living
cells by weakening and killing
these cells.
Immune: Your immune system is
the part of your body that protects
you from germs, viruses and
bacteria and so keeps you healthy.
Deficiency: It creates a weakness
in your immune system, causing it
to malfunction.
Syndrome: A wide range of
different diseases, conditions
and opportunistic infections
which someone with AIDS may
experience.
The saliva in your mouth contains
enzymes that may destroy germs.
Your eyelashes, eyelids and tears
protect your eyes.
Your vagina, urethra (the tube you
pass urine through), anus, and
bowels (guts) are lined with mucus
membranes which protect them.
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Your body’s health
is protected by its
immune system
which is a network
of chemicals, cells,
tissues, and organs
found throughout
your body.
These work together
to protect you from germs.
Your immune system can
tell the difference between
what belongs in your body
and what does not. When
your immune system
detects something foreign, it
tries to destroy and remove
it to keep you healthy.
White blood cells (part
of the immune system)
called lymphocytes (B cells
and T cells) protect the body
from germs such as viruses,
bacteria, parasites and
fungi.
The two main types of
T cells are the T-4 (CD-4)
cells and T-8 (CD-8) cells.
When a germ, virus
or bacterium enters your
body, the immune system
recognises it as foreign to
the body and potentially
harmful. The T-4 cells begin
What about my
immune system?
6
the attack against infections
by activating killer T cells and
antibody-producing B cells
while the T-8 (CD-8) cells end
the immune response.
Another way your
immune system protects
you is by the production of
antibodies against what
is not part of your body.
The activated B cells try
to destroy any foreign
particles not recognised as
belonging to your body by
creating antibodies to attack
and destroy these foreign
particles. This occurs when
a virus such as HIV infects
you. Your body recognises
HIV as being foreign and
potentially dangerous and
therefore produces antibodies
against it. Although effective
at first, the antibodies do not
eliminate the infection
Though destroyed in
part, many more viruses will
infect T-4 cells – the same
cells that are supposed to
coordinate any defence
against the virus. Infected
T-4 (CD-4) cells become virus
factories which, if activated,
will produce viruses instead
of triggering the production of
more antibodies against it.
How healthy is your
immune system?
One of the blood cells
infected and killed by HIV
is the T-4 (CD-4) cell. It is
required to protect your body
from other infections. The
number of CD-4 cells in your
blood shows how strong your
immune system is. If infected
by HIV, a test called a CD-4
count will determine the
progress of HIV infection.
As your CD-4 count drops
due to destruction by HIV,
your body becomes more
susceptible to infections
caused by other germs. This
happens because your ability
to fight off the particular
infections (for which the
T-4 and B cells were
designed) has been decreased.
These infections are known
as opportunistic infections.
They take advantage of the
opportunity of your weakened
immune system and cause
infection.
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Transmission
ofHIV
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Where can HIV be found?
Which body fluids
contain HIV?
HIV is present in infectious
quantities in:
• Blood and blood products
• Semen and possibly pre-cum (pre-ejaculate)
• Vaginal and cervical secretions
• Breast milk
Health care workers (doctors, nurses, etc.)
involved in surgical procedures may also come
into contact with other bodily fluids containing
a significant amount of HIV.
In people with HIV, the virus is
present in very small amounts in:
• Saliva (only found in minute amounts in a
small number of people).
• Tears and blister fluid
• Urine, faeces, vomit or sweat
Finding a small amount of HIV in a body fluid
does not necessarily mean that HIV can be
transmitted by that body fluid. Contact with
saliva, tears or sweat has never been shown to
result in the transmission of HIV.
How can I have sex and be protected?
You can eliminate or reduce your risk of
becoming infected during sex by:
Not having or delaying first sex
Being faithful to one partner or having fewer partners
Always using condoms, male or female
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HIV can be transmitted
in three main ways
• Sexual transmission
• Transmission through blood
• Mother-to-child transmission
For each route of transmission there are things
that you can do to reduce or eliminate risk.
First, learn all you can about the virus and how you can protect
yourself from it.
Another essential part of keeping yourself and others safe is through
HIV counselling and testing. People living with HIV are less likely
to transmit the virus to others if they know they are infected and if
they have received counselling about safer behaviour. If you are a
pregnant woman who has HIV, you will not be able to benefit from
interventions to protect your child unless the infection is diagnosed.
Those who discover they are uninfected can also benefit by receiving
counselling on how to remain that way.
How is HIV transmitted again?
• Unprotected sexual contact with an infected person
• By sharing needles with an infected person
• From an infected mother to child during pregnancy,
during birth or shortly after birth while breastfeeding
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Youathigh
are
risk:
If you have sex without condoms
If you have many sex partners and
do not use condoms
If your sex partner(s) has/have sex with
other persons without using condoms
If you have shared unsterilised
needles for intravenous drug use
If you have unprotected sex with
a partner who is HIV positive.
The conditions for HIV
to be passed on are:
• HIV must be present
• The virus must be in large
enough quantity to infect
someone
• It must enter the bloodstream
either through the vaginal or
rectal passages or through
often invisible breaks in the skin.
Note: HIV is most concentrated in blood.
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Will a condom protect
me from getting the
HIV virus?
Used correctly and consistently, a condom
will protect you from contracting HIV.
A condom is the only barrier that is now
available to prevent the transmission of HIV
and other sexually transmitted infections
during sexual intercourse.
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HOW TO USE THE CONDOM:
Carefully remove condom from package.
Avoid using teeth or nails as this can tear the
condom.
Hold the tip of the condom to squeeze out air
and place on erect penis.
Roll the condom down the shaft to base of
penis.
4
Never use grease (Vaseline). This can cause
the condom to burst. Use a water-based
lubricant (such as KY) which is available at
the drugstore.
5
After you ejaculate (cum, break), withdraw
while still hard, otherwise there might be a
spill.
6
Wrap condom – never recycle – and dispose
safely.
What are the chances of becoming infected
with HIV if he doesn’t come inside me?
Research suggests that high concentrations of HIV can
sometimes be detected in pre-cum (pre-ejaculate), but
it is difficult to judge whether HIV is present in sufficient
quantities for infection to occur. To be safe against the
possibility of infection with HIV or any other STI, it is best
to have sex wearing a condom from start to finish.
NB: If there is an open wound on the penis, then
the risk for transmission is greatly increased.
How safe is oral sex?
It is possible to become infected
with HIV through oral sex. However,
the risk of becoming infected in
this way is lower than it is for
unprotected sex with a man or
woman.
When giving oral sex to a man,
a person could become infected
with HIV if infected semen gets into
any cuts, sores or receding gums
they might have in their mouth.
Giving oral sex to a woman
is considered relatively low risk.
Transmission could take place if
infected fluids from a woman enter
the mouth of her partner. The
likelihood of infection occurring
might be increased if there is
menstrual (period) blood involved
or if the woman is infected with
another STI, which causes breaks
in the skin, therefore increasing
exposure to blood.
Can I get HIV from deep kissing?
Deep or open-mouthed kissing is at
very low risk for HIV transmission.
There has been only one
documented case of someone
becoming infected with HIV through
kissing and that was because of
exposure to infected blood during
open-mouthed kissing.
If either you or your partner
has open wounds in your mouth
you should avoid kissing until the
wound has healed.
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Can I become infected with HIV through
shaking hands, kissing, using toilet seats
and swimming pools, sharing cutlery, or
exposure to sneezes and coughs?
No. This is because HIV is not an airborne,
waterborne or foodborne virus.
Ordinary social contact such as kissing, shaking
hands, coughing and sharing cutlery will not give you
HIV.
How long can HIV survive
outside the human body?
Generally, the fragile nature of the
virus prevents it from surviving
for a substantial amount of time
in the open air. The length of time
HIV can survive outside the body
depends on the amount of HIV
present in the body fluid and the
conditions to which the fluid is
subjected.
Many common substances such
as hot liquid, soap, bleach, alcohol
and the gastric juices found within
your stomach can destroy the
virus.
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Studies have found that HIV is not
affected by extreme cold but it is
affected by heat and destroyed
after 30 minutes at 60˚C. Studies
have also found that HIV can
sometimes survive in dried blood
at room temperature for up to six
days.
Remember, it is very difficult to
measure outside of a laboratory
setting just how long HIV can
survive outside the body.
Can I get HIV when having a
tattoo, during body piercing or
at the barber or hairdresser?
At the barber, there is no risk
of infection unless your skin is
accidentally cut and there is a
transfer of infected blood from the
barber’s instruments.
If the instruments are
contaminated with infected blood and
are not sterilized between clients,
then there might be a risk of HIV
transmission.
To reduce the risk of bloodborne
(bloodborne) infections such as
hepatitis and HIV, you should ensure
that the razors/instruments used are
new or have been properly sterilized.
However, people who carry out
body piercing, tattoos, or hairdressing
should follow procedures called
“universal precautions”, which are
designed to prevent the transmission
of bloodborne infections such as HIV
and hepatitis B.
Universal precautions are a set of
guidelines designed to protect both
workers and their customers from
HIV and other bloodborne illnesses
such as hepatitis. The guidelines
state that any instrument designed to
penetrate the skin such as tattoo or
acupuncture needles should either
be used only once and thrown away,
or should be thoroughly cleansed and
sterilized after each use.
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Am I at risk of becoming
infected with HIV when
visiting the doctor or
dentist?
It is very rare to become infected
with HIV at hospitals, doctors’
and dentists’ offices and health
centres. All health professionals
are required to follow infection
control procedures when caring
for any patient. These procedures
are called “universal precautions
for infection control”. They are
designed to protect both patients
and health care professionals from
bloodborne diseases like HIV.
If I have sex with a
sex worker (prostitute)
will I get HIV?
Sex without a condom places you
at high risk of contracting the virus
whether it is with a commercial sex
worker or another person.
However, statistics from the
Caribbean and several other
parts of the world show a higher
prevalence or occurrence of HIV in
sex workers.
By having unprotected sex with a
commercial sex worker, the risk
of contracting HIV is high.
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Can I infect my unborn
child if I am HIV
positive?
Pregnant women with HIV
can transmit the virus to
their unborn child.
The use of special drugs
during pregnancy and
at birth can now help to
prevent the transmission of
HIV from mother to child.
Can the virus be transmitted
through breast-feeding?
Yes, HIV is present in infectious amounts in breast
milk. HIV can be passed from an HIV-infected mother
to her baby through breastfeeding. Most children
with HIV in the Caribbean got infected through
mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
This can be prevented when an HIV-infected mother
does not breastfeed her baby and uses another milk
source recommended by her doctor.
All pregnant women are advised to take a blood test
for HIV as early as possible in their pregnancy.
If a pregnant woman is HIV-infected, her baby does
not have to have HIV. Ask your doctor or nurse more
about pregnancy and HIV prevention.
Can I get HIV from
a mosquito?
No, it is not possible to get HIV from
mosquitoes or other biting and
bloodsucking insects. Observations of
insect-biting behaviour indicate that
when an insect bites a person, it does
not inject its own or another’s blood
into the next person bitten.
HIV lives for only a short time inside
an insect. HIV does not reproduce (and
does not survive) in insects. Thus,
even if the virus enters a mosquito or
another insect, that insect does not
become infected and cannot transmit
HIV to the next human it bites.
There is also no reason to fear that
a mosquito or another insect could
transmit HIV from one person to
another through HIV-infected blood left
on its mouth parts. This is so because:
• Infected people do not
have constantly high
levels of HIV in their
blood streams.
• Insect mouth parts
retain only tiny amounts
of blood on their
surfaces.
• Scientists who study
insects have determined
that biting insects
normally do not travel
from one person to the
next immediately after
ingesting blood. They
fly to a resting place to
digest the blood meal.
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A member of my family or close friend
of mine has HIV; am I also at risk?
Although HIV has been
transmitted between family
members in a household, this
type of transmission is very rare.
These transmissions are believed
to have happened because of
contact between skin or mucous
membranes and infected blood.
To prevent even such rare
occurrences, precautions should
be taken in all settings, including
the home, to prevent exposure to
the blood of persons who are HIV
infected, at risk for HIV infection,
or whose infection and risk status
are unknown.
Am I at higher risk
if I have sex with a
member of the
same sex?
HIV is transmitted
no matter your sexual
preference, but there
is a higher prevalence
worldwide of the virus in
certain groups because
of their sexual practices.
Having unsafe sex with
someone from one of
these groups places
you at a higher risk of
contracting the virus. Men
who have sex with men,
sex workers and people
who have an STI are
examples of such groups.
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By following safe sex practices
(using a condom every time)
you can reduce the chance of
becoming infected.
Gloves should be worn during
contact with blood or other body
fluids that could possibly contain
visible blood, such as urine,
faeces, or vomit. Cuts, sores, or
breaks on both the caregiver’s
and patient’s exposed skin should
be covered with bandages.
Hands and other parts
of the body should be
washed immediately
after contact with blood or
other body fluids. Surfaces
soiled with blood should be
disinfected.
Practices that increase
the likelihood of blood
contact, such as sharing
of razors and toothbrushes
should be avoided.
Needles and other sharp
instruments should be used only
when necessary and handled
according to recommendations
for health care settings. (Do not
put caps back on needles by hand
or remove needles from syringes.
Dispose of needles in punctureproof containers, out of the reach
of children and visitors.)
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Signs
and
Symptoms
of HIV
and AIDS
How will I know if I have HIV?
The only way to know if you are
infected with HIV is to be tested.
What are the first symptoms
of HIV infection?
The symptoms of initial HIV
infection are not very specific.
Initial symptoms include a dry
cough, shortness of breath and a
flu-like illness.
During this very early period of
infection, only a small minority of
people experience symptoms which
are serious enough to require a
doctor’s attention.
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During this stage, which is also
called acute infection, the virus
multiplies rapidly. You might test
negative for HIV antibodies during
this time but you can still pass HIV
on to someone else. This is called
the window period and it lasts
roughly three to six months from the
time of infection to the time when
your body will show signs that it is
trying to fight the virus. This fight
takes place during seroconversion.
What is Seroconversion?
This refers to your body responding to HIV
by making antibodies to fight the virus.
After you seroconvert, a blood test for the
HIV antibody will come back positive. This
stage usually happens roughly three to six
months after you are infected with HIV.
When do I develop AIDS?
Years after infection with HIV, a person
may experience symptoms of
particular illnesses and cancers. These
are the result of the infected person’s
immune system being damaged by HIV to
the point where it is no longer able to fight
off these infections (known as
opportunistic infections).
Opportunistic infections
Opportunistic infections are illnesses that
affect people with weakened immune
systems. One person may have certain
symptoms or infections and another may
have completely different ones. Some
persons won’t show all of them. Some
may not have any. Men and women,
children and adults and people from
different parts of the world get different
kinds of infections through HIV.
What are signs that I have AIDS?
A current indication of AIDS in adults and
adolescents (age 13 and over) is:
•
They are HIV positive
•
They have at least two major signs
and one minor sign of at least one
AIDS-defining illness (one or more
opportunistic infections)
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Getting
Tested,
Getting
Treatment
When should I go
for an HIV test?
You should get tested after
experiencing:
• Unprotected sex
• Shared needles
• Rape
• Accidental needle stick at work
Knowing is important
because:
If you know you are HIV-positive,
you can take advantage of
monitoring, early treatment, as
well as self-help activities that
will help you live longer and
better.
By taking the test you can find
out whether or not you can infect
others.
Regular testing increases your
commitment to overall good
health habits.
Knowing you are negative
is a huge relief.
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Women and their partners
considering pregnancy can take
advantage of treatments that can
help prevent transmission of HIV
to the baby.
The disadvantages
of testing are:
If you test positive, you may
show an increase in anxiety and
depression. However, with proper
information, support from friends
and family and access to services,
you can learn how to live with the
infection.
When testing is not strictly
confidential, you may risk job
and insurance discrimination.
To prevent this, make sure you
test at a confidential site.
The decision to take an HIV test
is an extremely personal one.
No one can make this decision
for you. We cannot make that
decision for anyone. No one
should insist that you do a test.
We can only advise you of the
possible implications of a positive
and a negative result in your life.
What does the test
for HIV check for?
These tests use saliva, urine or a
small blood sample to determine if
you’ve been infected with HIV. The
tests look for antibodies to HIV, not
for HIV itself. Labs use two tests to
look for these antibodies. The first
test is a general screening test. If
it is positive, a second test is done
to confirm the results. When both
are positive, it means that the
antibody to HIV has been found.
It is important that you do not
place yourself at risk of further
exposure to HIV during this time
period. You should continue to
practise safe sex (use a condom
every time you have sex) and not
share needles.
Tests like the p24 antigen and PCR
(Polymerase Chain Reaction)
tests can tell you whether you
are infected earlier than an HIV
antibody test can.
What is Viral Load?
Viral load refers to the amount
of HIV present in the blood. Viral
load is a very important measure
used to monitor HIV patients
on treatment. A high viral load
can indicate a greater risk for
the progression to HIV. The risk
of transmission of HIV from a
pregnant woman to her child also
increases if the viral load is higher.
How soon after possibly
coming into contact with the
virus should I be tested?
Infection with HIV causes flu-like
symptoms. The routine way to
determine if you are infected
is by taking the HIV antibody test.
However, being tested before a
three-month period may lead to
an unclear result since an infected
person may have not yet developed
antibodies to HIV. It is best to wait
for at least three months after the
last time you were exposed before
taking the test.
Where can I go to get
counselling and testing?
See list on pages 30 and 31 for
accessing information on confidential
counselling and testing centres and
hotlines in your country.
What should I do after I
have taken my HIV blood
test and am waiting for
results?
While waiting for the results of
your HIV blood test, it is important
not to expose yourself to possible
infection. Use a condom every time
you have sex during this period and
beyond.
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Social Issues
Are there any treatments for HIV and AIDS?
Besides drugs and other therapies that can treat, control or prevent
opportunistic infections, progress has been made in producing
effective drugs that combat HIV directly. These drugs, known as
“combination therapy” or “the cocktail”, slow down the effect of HIV
on the immune system by interfering with the replication of HIV.
Combination therapy does not work for everyone. The length of time that
the drugs are effective against the virus varies. Drug resistance may set
in, making the drugs ineffective. In recent times, HIV treatments have
become less expensive in the Caribbean.
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What can someone with HIV
or AIDS do to be healthy?
Some practical steps which can be taken
if infected, include:
• Good hygiene
• Proper nutrition
• Avoiding alcohol, cigarettes and drugs.
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Treating STIs help prevent HIV
Having a sexually transmitted
infection (STI) can increase your
risk of becoming infected with
HIV, whether the STI causes
open sores or breaks in the skin
like syphilis and herpes, or does
not cause breaks in the skin like
chlamydia and gonorrhea.
If the STI causes irritation of the
skin with cracks or open sores,
it may make it easier for HIV to
enter the body during sexual
contact. Without these, the
infection can still stimulate an
inflammatory reaction in your
private area that can make it
easier to contract the virus.
If an HIV-infected person is also
infected with another STI, that
person is three to five times more
likely than other HIV-infected
persons to transmit HIV through
sexual contact.
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Syphilis?
Syphilis, if untreated, goes through
three stages, with different
symptoms at each stage.
During the first stage, a single
chancre (painless sore) forms on
your genitals, rectum, or mouth
or throat. It will disappear on its
own in three to six weeks, without
treatment.
The second stage occurs
about six months later. Sores and a
rash may occur anywhere on your
body. You may feel like you have
the flu, with headache and aches
and pains in your joints or bones.
You may also experience hair loss
and flat, wart-like growths inside
your anus or vagina. Without the
treatment, these symptoms may
come and go.
Symptoms of the third stage
may take 10 to 20 years to develop.
They can be very serious and can
result in blindness, heart or brain
damage, and, in some cases,
death. People with HIV seem to
develop third-stage syphilis much
faster than others.
Syphilis is diagnosed by a
series of blood tests. The
first test, called the VDRL, is
a screening test. Usually, if
this test is negative you don’t
have syphilis. However, people
with HIV and AIDS may have
false-negative VDRL tests. If
you suspect you have been
exposed to syphilis, you may
want to ask your doctor to
run two other tests, called
the FTA-ABS and the MHATP. Syphilis is treated with
antibiotics, and this should be
done as soon as possible.
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Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea may cause a thick
discharge (stuff that comes)
from your penis or from your
vagina and sometimes, a
burning feeling on passing
urine. In many people,
especially women, there may
be no symptoms. Gonorrhoea
can also occur in your rectum
or throat.
It can develop into a chronic,
serious infection if not treated.
It can spread through your
blood to other parts of your
body, and can lead to sterility
(inability to have children).
In women, it can cause pelvic
inflammatory disease (PID).
Gonorrhoea is treatable with
antibiotics. If you have it, anyone
you’re having sex with should
be checked and treated, where
necessary.
What does Tuberculosis
have to do with HIV and AIDS?
Anyone can become infected with
tuberculosis (TB); you don’t have to
have HIV and AIDS or a weakened
immune system. TB bacteria can be
spread from person to person through
coughs and sneezes, but usually only
after lengthy exposure or close contact
with a person with active TB in their
lungs or throat. If you’re HIV positive,
you should take special care around
anyone who has active TB, as you may
easily develop tuberculosis due to your
weakened immune system. One of
the highest causes of deaths in AIDS
patients is due to TB.
Infants of mothers with HIV should
not receive the BCG vaccine against
tuberculosis but may be vaccinated
against other childhood diseases.
Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs. Symptoms include a burning
feeling when you’re urinating and a discharge from your penis or vagina.
Chlamydia can also infect your throat, rectum, and eyes. Many people,
especially women, may have no symptoms at all. If left untreated in men,
chlamydia can cause an inflammation of the epididymis – the thin tube
that connects your testes (balls) to your urethra (the tube you pass urine
through). In women, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics. If you have chlamydia, anyone
you’re having sex with should be treated; otherwise, you and they can be
infected again and again.
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Herpes Simplex Virus
Herpes is contagious when the
carrier is producing and shedding
the virus. This is especially likely
during an outbreak but possible
at other times. There is no cure
yet but there are treatments
which reduce the likelihood of
viral shedding (producing the
virus when no sores are present).
or possibly when sores are not
visible. It may be present in
semen, vaginal fluid, shed skin
in the pelvic region from eczema,
and saliva. It may be transmitted
during childbirth, a process
which can be fatal to the infant.
The immature immune system
of the foetus is unable to defend
against the virus and even if
treated, infection can result in
brain damage. Transmission
occurs as the foetus passes
through the birth canal but risk
of infection is minimal if there
are no symptoms or exposed
blisters during delivery. The first
outbreak after exposure to HSV
is commonly more severe than
future outbreaks as the body has
not yet had a chance to produce
antibodies.
Herpes Simplex is transmitted
by contact with lips or genitals
when the sores are present,
To date, there is no cure but there
are treatments which reduce the
likelihood of viral shedding.
Herpes simplex virus 1 and
2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are two
strains of an STI that cause tiny,
watery blisters to develop on
the skin or mucus membrane
(such as the mouth or lips) or on
the genitals. Lesions heal with
a scab. However, the infection
never goes away completely and
symptoms may recur periodically
as outbreaks of sores near the
site of original infection.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT
THIS PUBLICATION, PLEASE CONTACT
National AIDS Coordinating Committee
Level 18, Nicholas Tower
63-65 Independence Square
Port of Spain
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Telephone: (868) 627-4605/ 9932 • Fax: (868) 624-6495
Email: [email protected] • Website: www.nacctt.org
29
Further information is available from the
following National AIDS Programme Offices
across the Caribbean:
You can do a FREE and
CONFIDENTIAL HIV test
at the following locations:
• Arima Health Facility, STI Clinic:
Wednesdays 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
• Chaguanas Health Centre, STI Clinic:
Tuesdays 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
• Couva Health Facility, Skin and STI Clinic:
Fridays 11.30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• George Street Health Centre, STI Clinic:
Monday to Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Point Fortin Health Centre, STI Clinic:
Tuesday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Princes Town Health Facility, STI Clinic:
Wednesday 12 noon – 3 p.m.
• Queen’s Park Counselling Centre and
Clinic (QPCC&C) North:
Monday to Friday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Queen’s Park Counselling Centre and
Clinic (QPCC&C) South (Ward 17)
San Fernando Hospital:
Monday to Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Queen’s Park Counselling Centre and
Clinic (QPCC&C) Siparia Health Centre:
1st and 3rd Thursdays monthly
8.30 a.m. – 12 noon.
• Rio Claro Health Centre, STI Clinic:
Mondays 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
• Ward 2, San Fernando General Hospital:
Monday to Friday 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Health Promotion Clinic, Calder Hall,
Tobago: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Scarborough Health Centre, Tobago:
Mondays 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
30
Anguilla
Ministry of Social Development
P.O. Box 60
The Valley, Anguilla
Tel: 1 264 497 2540
Fax: 1 264 497 5486
Email: [email protected]
Antigua & Barbuda
AIDS Secretariat
Ministry of Health and
Home Affairs
Ramco Building
Independence Avenue
St John’s, Antigua
Tel/Fax: 1 268 462 5039
Email: [email protected]
Aruba
Dept. of Disease Control (DBZ)
Hospitaalstraat #4
Oranjestad, Aruba
Tel: 011 297 8 23040
Fax: 011 297 8 27352
Email: [email protected]
Bahamas
AIDS Secretariat
Ministry of Health
Shirley Street and School Lane
P.O. Box N-3729
Nassau, Bahamas
Tel: 1 242 325 5120/1
Fax: 1 242 325 5113
Email: [email protected]
Barbados
National HIV/AIDS Commission
Prime Minister’s Office
Ground Floor, ICB Bldg
Roebuck Street, St Michael
Barbados
Tel: 1 246 436 7790
Fax: 1 246 436 7804
Email: [email protected]
Belize
Epidemiology Unit
STI/HIV/AIDS, TB
Ministry of Health
Cor. Vernon &
Woods Streets
Belize City, Belize
Tel/Fax: 011 501 230 778
Email: [email protected]
Grenada
Ministry of Health
Botanical Gardens
Tanteen
St George’s, Grenada
Tel: 1 473 440 2846
Fax: 1 473 440 4127
Email:
[email protected]
Bermuda
Department of Health
Victoria Street
Hamilton, Bermuda
Tel: 1 441 236 4902
Fax: 1 441 296 4008
Guyana
National AIDS Programme
Hadfield Street &
College Road
Brickdam, Georgetown
Guyana
Tel: 011 592 227 8683
Fax: 011 595 225 0113
Email: [email protected]
British Virgin Islands
Community Health Services
Ministry of Health and
Welfare
Tortola, BVI
Tel: 1 284 494 3701 ext 4902
Fax: 1 284 494 3454
Email:
[email protected]
Cayman Islands
Cayman Islands Health
Services
General Hospital Complex
Georgetown
Grand Cayman, P.O. Box 915
Cayman Islands
Tel: 1 345 914 2648
Fax: 1 345 945 2153
Curaçao - NetherlandS
Antilles
Ministry of Health
Department of Public
Health and
Environmental Hygiene
Sta Rosaweg 122
Curaçao
Tel: 599 9 736 3530
Fax: 599 9 736 3531
Dominica
Ministry of Health and
Social Security
Health Promotion
and Resource Centre
Upper Lane
Roseau, Dominica
Tel: 1 767 448 2151
Fax: 1 767 448 6086
Email: [email protected]
Jamaica
Ministry of Health
National HIV/AIDS/STI
Prevention and Control
Programme
2-4 King Street
Oceana Building
Kingston, Jamaica
Tel: 1 876 967 1100
Fax: 1 876 967 1280
Email: [email protected]
St Vincent and the
Grenadines
Ministry of Health and the
Environment
Ministerial Building
Kingstown
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Tel: 1 784 451 2489
Fax: 1 784 457 2684
Email: [email protected]
Suriname
Ministry of Health
Tourtonnelaan
Paramaribo
Suriname
Tel: 011 597 4 74315
Fax: 011 597 4 27092
Email: [email protected]
Turks and Caicos Islands
Ministry of Health
National AIDS Programme
Franklyn Missick Building
Church Folly, Grand Turk
Tel/Fax: 1 649 946 1675
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
National AIDS Programme
Butterfield Square
(Next to Labour Office)
Providenciales
Turks and Caicos
Tel: 1 649 941 4984
Montserrat
Ministry of Health
Brades, Montserrat
Tel: 1 664 491 2836
Fax: 1 664 491 6413/3131
Sint Maarten
Email: [email protected] Sector for Health Care Affairs
Clem Labega Square
St Kitts and Nevis
Philipsburg
National AIDS Programme
Sint Maarten
Ministry of Health
Tel: 011 599 54 22079
Church Street
Email:
Basseterre
[email protected]
St Kitts and Nevis
Tel: 1 869 465 2408
Fax: 1 869 466 8574
Email: [email protected]
St Lucia
Bureau of Health Education
Ministry of Health
Chausee Road
Castries, St Lucia
Tel: 1 758 452 2959
Fax: 1 758 453 1080
31
SO GET
tested NOW
32