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What is
The Tbst”?
What if the test is positive?
Understand the
facts before you take
"The Tbst."
What is "The Tbst’?
AIDS.or Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome is caused by a virus. The virus
believedto cause AIDS is called HTLV-3
(human T-cell lymphotropic virus -3) and
LAV (lymphadenopathy associated virus).'
When your body is invaded by the virus,
your body’s immune system produces
chemicals called HTLV-3 antibodies. The
presence of these antibodies is detected by
a test. The type of test most commonly
used is an ELISA.
IT IS NOT A TEST FOR AIDS nor does
it directly test to see ij.you are carrying
the virus.
What will “The Test” tell me?
“The Test" u/il( only tell you if your immune
system has been exposed to the HTLV-3
virus and produced antibodies.
What the test can not tell you.
— If you have AIDS or an AIDS related
condition (ARC).
— If you will develop AIDS or ARC in
the future.
If you are immune, to AIDS or ARC.
If you are healthy.
Should I take the test?
ASK HOW THE TEST WAS DONE. First
be sure thotest has been done at least twice • 1
using the ELISA on the same blood sample.
If you are not sure about the testing have it
done again. If you are in a high risk group
(homosexual or bisexual men, IV' drug
users, blood product recipients or the sexual:
partner of someone in these groups) and you
are positive twice using the ELISA, it is more
likely you have been exposed to HTLV-3
than if you are not in a recognized risk
group. You may want to have the ELISA test
confirmed by the Western Blot test if this is
not routine at your testing site.
I have been exposed, am I going to
get AIDS?! ,
Probably, NO. Currently studies show that
between six and ten per cent of people who
have confirmed HTLV-3 antibody go on to
. develop AIDS, usually within two years.
Another twenty to twenty-five percent
develop a range of illnesses call AIDS Related
Complex (ARC). These illnesses range from
chronically swollen lymph nodes tb life
threatening illnesses not included in the
definition of AIDS. Approximately two
thirds of persons positive for HTLV-3 have
not developed overt illness.
Okay, so I’m positive, but I don’t have
AIDS—can I still pass the virus on to others?
YES. Studies show that thirty to sixty per
cent of people who are HTLV-3 antibody
positive have virus in their blood. Therefore
if you are positive you should act as if you
are infectious. This means not exposing
others to your bodily fluids especially blood
and semen. Intimate sexual contact and the
sharing of hypodermic needles are very likely
to transmit the virus. Luckily, casual contact
such as kissing, sharing a glass, shaking
hands or sharing bathroom facilities
DOES NOT transmit the virus.
Before taking the HTLV-3 antibody test ais
with any other medical test you need to ask
yourself the following questions:
*■* What will this test tell me or
my physician?
gS How will this test help me?
— Are there any risks to me if I take the test?
•*0 How can I reduce the possible risks of
taking the tests?
Once you have answered these four questions
you will be in a position to make an informed
decision whether or not to take the test.
What about my children?
Is the test always accurate?
No. The ELISA test may react falsely.
A responsible laboratory will label a test
positive only if the same blood sample reacts
twice on the ELSIA. If the blood is positive
using the ELISA, a second very accurate but
expensive test may be done. This test uses
the Western Blot technique. If you are positive *
using the Western Blot it is almost certain
that you have been exposed to HTLV-3.
If I am positive, how can I keep
from developing AIDS?
If I have antibodies am I immune? So what good is the test?
As with other diseases, HTLV-3 can be.
passed on to the unborn children of parents
who carry the virus during pregnancy
and/or childbirth. Mothers can also pass
the virus to babies through breastfeeding.
Pregnancy may increase the risk of developing
AIDS in women already infected with the
virus. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
recommend postponing pregnancy for
HTLV-3 antibody positive individuals, until
there is a treatment or vaccine developed for
this disease.
If you are pregnant or thinking about
becoming pregnant and are at high risk for
being infected with the virus, contact a
physician knowledgeable about AIDS for
counseling. Eliminate high risk activities. If
you are already pregnant be tested several
times during pregnancy. If you remaih
negative on the test during pregnancy you
may safely breastfeed as long as you con
tinue to eliminate high risk activities.
If you are thinking about becoming
pregnant and are at high risk for becoming
infected with the virus, be rested several
times over a period of six months after you •
have eliminated high risk activities before
becoming pregnant.
There are a .number of things you can do to
promote your good health. Once you are
positive for antibody, three things have been
found that INCREASE your chances for
developing AIDS;
— Reinfection with the HTLV-3 virus.
— Infection with certain intestinal diseases
that can be transmitted through anal inter
course, oral-arial contact, ana poor hygiene.
— The use of immune System suppressing
drugs such as heroin, morphine, steroids and
nitrite inhalants(poppers).
So protect your health and
that of your partner!
— Practice SAFE SEX! Do not allow
blood, semen, urine or feces from vour part
ner to enter your body through your mouth, ■
vagina, rectum, or cuts or sores.
• Hugging, sensual massage, and masturba
tion are safe.
• Wear surgical gloves when putting fingers
or hands ifeyour partner’s vagina or rectum.
• During vaginal, oral-penis, or anal inter
course use condoms.
• During oral-vaginal sex use rubber dams
(thin piece of latex available at dental and
surgical supply houses).
■ Decrease the number of different persons
with whom you have,sex.
• Only use water soluble lubricants/
spermicides which contain at least 5%
nonoxrioi-9 and are in pump or squeeze
containers. Do not use grease, oils, or saliva.
• Do not share “sex toys” and clean them in a
solution of one part chlorine bleach to ten
parts water..
• Do not share razors, toothbrushes, or
personal hygiene or douching equipment.
• Contact an AIDS service organization for
more information about SAFE SEX.
Be tested and treated for intestinal parasites and diseases. *
Avoid infection and reinfection by practicing
safe sex hygiene such as showering before
and after sex, and careful hand washing.
Do not use drugs except under the
supervision of a physician knowledgeable about AIDS.
Discontinue recreational drugs or steriods. If
you are addicted, seek treatment for your
addiction. If you continue to use recreational
drugs or steriods:
. • DO NOT share needles.,
• DO NOT share cookers, cotton,.or other.
■ drug paraphernalia.
• DO NOT take part in “shooting galleries?
• ALWAYS clean your needles arid syringes
first by washing them in cold water and then:
—soak the needles and syringes in rubbing
alcohol for at least ten minutes arid then
rinse well with tap water.
OR—boil in water for 15 minutes.
OR—soak in a solution of one part
chlorine bleach to ten pacts water for at least .
ten minutes and then RINSE WELL with
tap water.
NO! Although the antibodies to some
viruses such as Hepatitis-B may provide 1
protection from reinfection, the known
. antibodies to HTLV-3 do not provide
immunity to reinfection with this virus.
If I test negative, am I safe?
NO, especially if you are in a high risk
group. Studies have shown that thpre are-
some people who carry the virus iri their
blood but are repeatedly negative on the
antibody test. Also it takes from two weeks
to six months after exposure to the virus for
your body to produce antibodies. During
this time you may be infectious.
What are some of the risks of
taking the test?
How can I reduce the risks of
the test?
ONLY BE TESTED ANONYMOUSLY.
To assure anonymity and keep your name
off any “black lists? use the alternative
testing sites available iri some cities. At these '
sites you do not have to give your name,'
social security number, or any other infor
mation that could identify you to others. To
locate these sites in-Georgia you can call the
HTLV-3 test hotline at 1-800-551-2728 or
AID Atlanta at (404) 872-0600.
Understand the test before you take it
and have a knowledgeable counselor ,
available to answer'your conce’rns.
Be sure that your health care provider
is sensitive to the risks of releasing informa
tion to third parties such as your insurance
company and employers.
“The Test” plus the fact that members of
high risk groups voluntarily have refrained
from donating blood has made the blood >
.supply almost totally safe again.
If you are going to be forced to take
the test if you change jobs or apply for
insurance, you may want to know your
antibody status to help you decide if you
want to change jobs or buy insurance.'
If you think you have been exposed and
want to have a baby knowing your antibody
status may help in deciding on whether or
not to postpone pregnancy.
If you know you are positive you
can protect others by not donating sperm,
< blood, or body organs; and by using safe
sexual practices.
Now that you know the facts the
choice is yours.
Your.civic liberties may be at stake if you are
antibody positive. Rightly or wrongly, being
antibody positive may be interpreted as an
admission of homosexuality or drug abuse,
both of which are illegal in many States.
There are more and more reports of
antibody positive persons not being able to
get or keep health arid life insurance. Asa
consequence of being antibody positive,
some people have lost their jobs and have
been evicted from their homes. Others have
been shunned by their friends and loved
ones. Still others have been denied access to
public facilities such as bars and restaurants.
Some people have even been denied medical
and dental treatment.
Not only should the potential abuse of ;
your human rights be considered, but also
the trauma of a .positive test. Many people
• are panicked by a positive test. What will you
do? Who will you tell? Where can you turn
for help? The intense anxiety of this situa
tion can be as disabling as many AIDS
related symptoms themselves.
A decision about taking the HTLV-3 test
should not be made until you feel you
understand all the facts. If you feel that you
must have the test, PLEASE ONLY BE
TESTED ANONYMOUSLY. Also, consult'
a .knowledgeable physician who is familiar
with the issues and latest developments in
HTLV-3 infections and testing before you.
take “the test?
For more information about “The Test’,’
AIDS, alternative testing sites or medical
and counseling referrals call:
AID Atlanta
Monday-Friday 10am-9pm
(404) 876-9944
Atlanta Gay Center
(404) 876-5372 Days
HTLV-3 Test Hotline
1-800-551-2728
Gay Help Line (Atlanta)
Sunday-Saturday 6pm-11pm
(404)892-0661
Alternative County Health Departtnents
Testing Sites Bibb (Macon). 744-87,31
Chatham (Savannah) ,. 356-2234-
Clarke (Athens) 524-8896
-Dougherty (Albany) 439-4130
Floyd (Rome) .:..... 295-6151
-Fulton (Atlanta) 572-2000
Hall (Gainesville) ............. 532-5201
Muscogee (CQlumbus) ........ 327-1541
Richmond (Augusta) . 724-8802
Troup (La Grange) ! . . 8j84-52Q0
AID Atlanta
811 Cypress St., NW
Atlanta, GA 30308
FIGHT ■
THE FEAR
WITH FACTS
AIDS INFO-LINE
876-9944