Written by Candace Inge

Sunday, March 10th is the fourteenth national observance of Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Close to a million people in the United States have HIV, and one in four of those are female. There are so many misconceptions and stigmas about HIV and AIDS. There are some things that should be well known and followed in order to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS. This is an uncomfortable topic for many, but the more we know, the better we can prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

What Women Need to Know:

1. Anyone who is sexually active is at risk for HIV, and other STI’s (sexually transmitted infections) regardless or race, age, or sexual orientation.
2. Women are more likely to get HIV than men during vaginal sex.
3. Getting tested is the only way to know for sure, if you are HIV positive. Most insurance companies cover HIV testing at little to no cost to the patient.
4. Prevention is possible. Practice safe sex. Never share needles or other injection equipment.
5. There are medications that can lower your risk of contracting HIV if your partner has HIV or if you feel you may have been exposed in some other way. If you are pregnant and have HIV these medications can lower the risk of your baby being born with HIV.
6. Don’t postpone care because of fear of rejection or abuse. We can fight the stigma by making people aware that just being in the same room as someone with HIV, hugging, and toilet seats are not ways to contract HIV. *If you fear abuse or are being abused please contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
7. If you or your partner have HIV, take your medications as prescribed by your doctor to help lower the viral load and prevent the spread.

What Every Girl Needs to Know:

1. HIV is spread through bodily fluids and is spread through different types of sexual activity, not just sexual intercourse.
2. Contracting an STI (like chlamydia) increase your risk of contracting HIV. One in four teens age 14-19 have an STI. If you think you have an STI, or know you do, seek medical attention. You may not always have symptoms so if you think you may have been exposed to HIV or any other STI, talk to your doctor.
3. Anyone who is sexually active is at risk of contracting HIV and other STI’s. Practice safe sex. Never share needles or other injection equipment.
4. There are medications that can lower your risk of contracting HIV if your partner has HIV or if you feel you may have been exposed in some other way. If you are pregnant and have HIV these medications can lower the risk of your baby being born with HIV.
5. Don’t postpone care because of fear of rejection or abuse. We can fight the stigma by making people aware that just being in the same room as someone with HIV, hugging, and toilet seats are not ways to contract HIV. *If you fear abuse or are being abused please contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
6. If you or your partner have HIV, take your medications as prescribed by your doctor to help lower the viral load and prevent the spread.
7. If you have questions, as your parents and your doctor. The adults in your life, want you to be happy and healthy.

The theme for the 2019 Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is “HIV Prevention Starts with Me”. Do not be afraid to talk to others about prevention. Start a discussion group, Facebook event, or local event to help stop the stigmas and spread the word of accurate HIV/AIDS prevention.

For more information and resources visit the website for or contact:

The CDC

The Office of Adolescent Health

The US Department of Health and Human Services Office and Minority Health

The Office of Population Affairs

References:

https://www.womenshealth.gov/nwghaad