The
Marquette County Health Dept. is the
Regional Care Representative.
What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, a disease that destroys the body's ability to fight off illness.
In Marquette County, Michigan Contact:
The Marquette County Health Dept.
184 U.S. 41
Negaunee, MI 49866
Aids Hotline: (906)475-7651
What Causes AIDS?
AIDS is caused by
a virus called HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). The virus can live
in the human body for years and can be spread to others even before symptoms
appear. AIDS is considered the end stage of HIV infection. It is diagnosed
by a physician once the immune system has shown signs of failure or the
body has developed one of many different infections or cancers.
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How is HIV spread?
You can become infected
with HIV through the direct contact with blood,semen, or vaginal secretions
of an infected individual. Also, women infected with HIV can pass
the virus to their baby during pregnancy,birth, or breast milk. It
is thought that a third of the babies born to infected mothers will contract
the virus.
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Who Should Consider Testing?
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People who may have a sexually transmitted disease. |
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People who currently use intravenous drugs or who have a history of intravenous drug use. |
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Men who have engaged in sexual activities with other men. |
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People who have had more than one sex partner. |
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People who have had sex with prostitutes (male or female). |
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People who received blood products or blood transfusions between 1978 and 1985. |
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Women with identifiable risk, who are pregnant or who are considering pregnancy. |
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People who are being tested or treated for tuberculosis. |
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People who have had significant exposure to the blood of someone who may be infected. |
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People who have had sex with any of the above. |
What is the HIV Antibody Test?
The test for HIV
is a blood test that identifies the presence of antibodies against the
HIV virus. If antibodies are found, the individual is considered a carrier
of the virus and able to spread it. The test will not
tell if the individual has AIDS.
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What is the ACT(Antibody Counseling & Testing) Clinic at the Marquette County Health Dept.?
The ACT Clinic is
staffed by trained, certified counselors and offers free anonymous and
confidential counseling for persons interested in information about AIDS,
how it is spread, and having the blood test to determine their antibody
status.
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Pretest Counseling Provides--
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Determination of individual risk. |
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Information regarding spread of the virus. |
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Risk reduction/prevention information. |
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Information about the HIV antibody test. |
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Counseling regarding whether or not to receive the test. |
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Should a blood test be done, a follow-up session will be scheduled in 2-3 weeks to discuss results. |
Post test Counseling Provides--
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Interpretation and discussion relevant to the test results. |
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Review of risk reduction/prevention information. |
For Individuals With Positive Test Results
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Discussion regarding implications of a positive test result. |
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Referral to an early medical intervention program. |
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Information about further support services and groups. |
In
Marquette County, Michigan Contact:
The Marquette County Health Dept.
Aids Hotline: (906)475-7651
A I
D S HOTLINES-MICHIGAN
Operated By Aids Partnership Michigan
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General Information | 800-872-2437 |
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Health Care Workers A I D S Hotline | 800-522-0399 |
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Hispanic A I D S Hotline EnEspanol | 800-826-7432 |
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Hearing Impaired A I D S Hotline TDD Users | 800-332-0849 |
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Teen A I D S Hotline | 800-750-8336 |