QUESTIONS?
www.ti-chee.org
CONTACTS
Lummi Tribal Health Clinic
360.384.0464
Nooksack Tribal Health Clinic
360.966.2106
Upper Skagit Tribal Health Facility
360.865.4200
Swinomish Medical Clinic
360.466.3167
Tulalip Tribal Health Clinic
360.716.4511
National Indian AIDS Line
1.800.283.2437
Ti-chee
Hepatitis Information
1.800.223.0179
[Tuh-chee]
National Herpes Hotline
1.919.361.8488
Native Health Service Agency
CDC National AIDS Hotline
1.800.342.AIDS
HIV, STD, & HEP C
Prevention, Education
& Support
CDC National AIDS Clearinghouse
1.800.458.5231
Alcohol, Drug & Pregnancy Hotline
1.800.638.BABY
Boystown National Youth Hotline
1.800.448.3000
National Gay & Lesbian Youth Hotline
1.800.676.TEEN
Ti-chee
P.O. BOX 4124
1210 Indian St.
Bellingham, WA 98227
Tel: 360-296-0199
Fax: 360-733-2075
Email: [email protected]
ALL DONATIONS ARE WELCOME
Tel: 360-296-0199
HIV/AIDS
National STD Hotline
1.800.227.8922
What is HIV ?
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that
attacks your body’s immune
system and causes AIDS. It
destroys cells in your blood
that are important for fighting off infection
and disease.
Quick FACT: AIDS rates have gradually
increased in recent years, becoming the
ninth leading killer of Native people
between the ages of 16 –44.
Rapid HIV Testing
Ti-chee offers free Rapid HIV Testing at our
office in Bellingham. The Lummi, Nooksack,
Upper Skagit, Swinomish, and Tulalip clinics
offer free Rapid and Regular HIV Tests to
tribal members and their families.
You can schedule an “In-Home” Rapid HIV
Test by calling Ti-chee at 360-734-2476. A
volunteer will visit you at your place of residence and conduct an anonymous Rapid
HIV test On-site. Results in 20 minutes.
Testing Sites: Contact the National AIDS
Hotline at 1.800.342.2437 to learn where to
go for testing and counseling in your area.
Signs & Symptoms - Many people have
HIV and still feel perfectly healthy. A
healthy person can still spread the virus to
others. The only way to know for sure
whether you are infected is to get tested.
How Do I Get It?
HIV is transmitted when infected blood or
body fluid enters the body.
You CAN get HIV from:
 Vaginal, anal, or oral sex
 Sharing a needle or syringe (like for
drugs, insulin and steroids)
 Blood transfusions or blood clotting factor obtained before 1985.
 Being born to or breast-fed by an infected mother.
You CANNOT get HIV from: Sweat, spit,
tears, clothes, drinking fountains, toilet seats,
bug bites, utensils or closed-mouth kissing.
Treatment
There is NO CURE for HIV/AIDS. Thanks to
effective treatments, infected people are living longer, healthier, and more productive
lives. Antiretroviral (ARV) treatments can
slow and even virtually stop the proliferation of HIV in the body.
Get the Most Out of Treatment
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What is AIDS?
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the diagnosis that is given when
HIV destroys your body’s immune system.
When your immune system is weak, it’s easy
to get sick from illnesses that are normally
fought off. Not getting tested for HIV can
be fatal. Get the test, Know your status.
Quick FACT: In 2010 American Indians
& Alaska Natives had the third hightest
HIV/AIDS rate in the U.S. There are new
diagnosis every year.
You’re More Likely To Be Infected with
HIV if You’ve...
 Shared injection drug needles or syringes
 Had sex without a condom with someone infected with HIV.
 Ever had another STD (like Chlamydia,
Gonorrhea, Herpes, HPV, etc.)
 Received a blood transfusion or blood
clotting factor before 1985.
 Had sex with someone who had any of
the above.
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Follow you doctor’s instructions. Skipping medications can allow the virus to
become drug-resistant.
Make sure your doctor knows how to
treat HIV, especially if you’re pregnant
or want to get pregnant.
Get immunization shots to prevent infections like pneumonia and flu.
Eat healthy foods.
Exercise regularly.
Get enough sleep.
Don’t smoke or use drugs.
Reduce Your Risk
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Abstain from sex
Stick to one mutually-monogamous
partner who has been tested and is uninfected.
Use Latex condoms (consistently & correctly)
Don’t share needles, syringes, razors, or
toothbrushes.