HIV/AIDS

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the immune system and weakens a person’s ability to fight infections. HIV is the infection that can cause Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a complex set of diseases that occur when the body’s immune system has been weakened. HIV is transmitted through the exchange of blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk that is infected with HIV.

HIV/AIDS infection among Black women is a complex mix of economic, social, cultural, biological, environmental, and behavioral factors. HIV statistics about Black women are often buried within the statistics of the general HIV/AIDS population, or are lumped together with statistics on Black men.

This practice disguises the compelling evidence that Black women represent a disproportionate number of HIV/AIDS cases, compared to our representation in the overall female population in the US. The harsh reality is that 1 in 30 Black women will be diagnosed with HIV at some point in her life.

With Black women accounting for nine out of ten new HIV infections among women, it is important to acknowledge and understand how social and gender inequities and cultural dynamics shape our perceptions and realities of the disease.

So much has been made in the media about the poor health status of Black women that we have become desensitized to the barrage of health statistics and may be tuning out important health messages.  However, this is one health crisis that we cannot ignore.  In addition to shortening our lives, HIV/AIDS is compromising our quality of life and the vitality of our families and communities.

We must take steps to increase awareness and eliminate stigma and stereotypes about HIV/AIDS in order to begin to effectively address the HIV epidemic among Black Women.  The first step to HIV prevention is learning the facts and accepting the reality that any woman who is sexually active is at risk.

Since HIV is transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk, engaging in any activity that includes exposure to these fluids places a person at risk for HIV infection, including:

• Having unprotected (not using a male or female condom for vaginal or anal sex; not using a condom, dental dam, or other barrier for oral sex) oral, vaginal or anal sex with an infected person 
• Sharing needles or syringes of any kind with an infected person
• Transmitting the virus from an infected mother to her child during pregnancy, birth or through breastfeeding

The only 100% sure way to prevent HIV infection is to abstain from sexual activity and drug use.  To abstain means not having vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and not using drugs of any kind.

Beyond that, there are steps we can take to protect ourselves and reduce our risk of becoming HIV infected:

• Knowing our HIV status by taking an HIV test
• Discussing HIV testing and practicing safer sex with our partner
• Practicing safer sex – using protective latex barriers (male or female condoms, dental dams)  for vaginal, anal, and oral sex every time we have sex
• Not sharing needles of any kind including drug needles, piercing needles, or tattoo needles.