Public Health Advisory: HIV Published April 9, 2015 By 1st Lt. Casey Finch 4th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Public Health Office SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Everyone knows about the risk of sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea. Unsafe sexual behaviors, such as casual encounters with anonymous strangers, having multiple partners, and not using condoms, all increase the risk of contracting an STI. Although most STIs can be cured with antibiotics, we often forget about the danger of HIV. The state of North Carolina ranks ninth out of all states for the number of new HIV diagnoses annually. The history of HIV: HIV was first observed and identified in the early 1980s. It was initially thought to be a disease that only targeted certain populations. We now know that this is not true; transmission has been associated with needle sticks, and can even be transferred from an infected mother to her child. In the 1980s and early 1990s, HIV almost always resulted in death. However, scientific research has led to the development of a new class of drugs called highly active anti-retroviral therapy. Despite scientific advances, HIV is still a very serious, lifelong infection that can be fatal if not carefully managed. What is the current rate of HIV infection in the United States? Media headlines regarding HIV have decreased since the epidemic first emerged in the 1980s. However, the number of new HIV infections in the United States every year has remained fairly consistent. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2011 there were an estimated 1.2 million people in the U.S. living with HIV. Of those, 14 percent have not been diagnosed and are unaware of their infection. This means that about one out of every 250 people living in the U.S. has HIV, whether they know it or not. How can I avoid becoming infected with HIV? When a person is infected with HIV, they often will have no idea until they go to the doctor and have an HIV test performed. Signs of early HIV infection often resemble the flu and are easy to miss. Because of this, it is critical that everyone employ safe sexual practices. Ask your partner(s) about their sexual history and the last time they were tested for STIs. By reducing the number of sexual partners you have, you can help protect yourself from HIV and other diseases. What if I am an active-duty member who contracts HIV? Active-duty members that test positive for HIV are still able to serve a long and fruitful career with some stipulations. However, if the stipulations are violated it may be grounds for administrative separation from the military. Airmen are sent to San Antonio Military Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, for an initial evaluation. They then meet with doctors dedicated to caring for HIV infected individuals. The member receives a medical evaluation, disease specialty care, information and education on HIV, therapy, and further laboratory testing. After their first appointment, they will be reevaluated at six months, and then every year afterward the member will have a temporary duty assignment to SAMMC for follow-up medical care and laboratory testing. Although HIV-positive members are able to stay in the military, they are limited to certain assignments where medical care exists that can properly treat their HIV. To ask questions, or for additional information regarding HIV, STIs, or safe sexual practices, contact Public Health at (919) 722-1172.