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Do you have questions about HIV/AIDS or hepatitis C?

ANHAN has a staff member available to answer your questions by email. This is a great way to ask your questions anonymously, just click the tipi below. All questions are completely confidential and the staff at ANHAN are knowledgeable about all aspects of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C.

If you have any questions that you would like to ask anonymously, send an email:

The link to this document created by ANHAN will give you the basics on HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C: Hepatitis C and HIV Kit

Frequently asked Questions

What is HIV/AIDS?

HIV - the Human Immunodeficiency Virus - is a virus that attacks the immune system, resulting in a chronic, progressive illness that leaves people vulnerable to opportunistic infections and cancers. When the body can no longer fight infection, the disease is known as AIDS, which stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.

What are HIV symptoms?

Many people who have been infected with HIV have few or no HIV symptoms, HIV testing is the only way to know for sure if you are infected.

What is a CD4 count and why is it important?

Your immune system contains different types of cells that help protect the body from infection. One type is called the CD4  or T-cells. HIV attacks these cells and uses them to make more copies of HIV and in doing so weakens the immune system. This makes your immune system unable to protect the body from illness and infection.

People without HIV have about 700 to 1000 CD4 cells in a drop of blood. HIV infected people are considered to have "normal" CD4 counts if the number is above 500 in the same size drop of blood.

What is "HIV Viral Load"?

It is a measurement of the amount of active HIV circulating in your blood. A lower viral load means less viral replication, which means less damage to the immune system. The goal of HIV medications is to keep viral replication to a minimum and thereby preserving CD4 count and the body's immune system.

HIV can be medically managed and a person can live a long healthy life with HIV. The key is a healthy lifestyle, safer sex and having a good understanding of HIV/AIDS.

What can you do to stay healthy?

• ask plenty of questions

• learn all you can about HIV

• take your medications as prescribed

• make healthy lifestyle choices

• use safer sex methods

• enjoy a healthy life to its fullest

Am I at risk of contracting HIV?

• Do you  (or have you ever) have unprotected sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal or oral)?

• Do you (or have you ever) share needles or equipment for injecting drugs?

• Do you (or have you ever) use unsterilized needles for tattooing, skin piercing or acupuncture?

• Do you experience (or have you ever) occupational exposure to HIV in a health care setting?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be at risk of contracting HIV.

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Copyright © 2010 All Nations Hope AIDS Network    Last modified: 01/31/12