- Designed for older teen and adult audiences
- Reviews the facts about the Hepatitis C virus.
- Informs about liver function, transmission of the virus, and effective prevention techniques
HCV 101
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
- “Hepatitis” literally means “inflammation of the liver”
- HCV Is a blood-borne virus, transmitted blood-to-blood, that damages the liver
- The liver is a vital organ with over 500 functions – we cannot live without a liver. It is a “non-complaining” organ – it has no nerve endings to feel pain due to damage or injury
- The most common way that HCV is transmitted is through sharing injection drug equipment like syringes; it can also be transmitted through contaminated instruments used in tattooing or piercing, or through sharing personal care items like razors, tweezers, clippers and toothbrushes.
- HCV can be sexually transmitted but the risk is considered to be low
- HCV is a hearty virus and can live up to 4 days on a surface like a table, and can live up to 63 days inside a syringe
- Approximately 20% of people who have Hep C have the acute type which presents with symptoms like a severe flu but resolves itself within 6 months; the remaining 80% have chronic Hepatitis C which generally has no symptoms and people can have it for 20-30 years without knowing it
- Approximately 3-5% of HCV infected mothers pass on the virus to their babies
- Hepatitis A, B and C are completely separate viruses and are only found in humans. There are vaccines for Hepatitis A and B
- There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C
- There are new drugs like Sovaldi and Olysio that can cure Hepatitis C but they are still very expensive and not available to everyone – consult your doctor
What You Should Know About HIV
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the human immune system and can lead to a diagnosis of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Every person with an AIDS diagnosis has HIV, but not everyone with HIV has AIDS.
HIV attacks specific immune system cells — the T-cells or CD4 cells. These cells are critical to fighting off new infections and diseases. HIV invades these cells and uses them to make more copies of itself, and then destroys them. Over time, HIV destroys so many cells that the body is not able to fight off diseases and infections. When this occurs, a person is given an AIDS diagnosis.
There is no cure for HIV. But, this disease is preventable. By
However, with proper treatment with “antiretroviral therapy” many people living with HIV can live longer and healthier lives.
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is transmitted only through four fluids:
- Blood
- Semen (including pre-cum)
- Vaginal fluids
- Breast milk
Transmission of HIV can only occur when an HIV-infected body fluid enters the body through a port of entry (examples: vagina, anus, veins, mouth, direct access to tissue).
You cannot get HIV through touching, kissing, sharing food or beverages, or being friends with someone who is HIV positive.
Safer sex practices are ways to reduce the risk of becoming HIV positive. These include using barrier methods, knowing the HIV status of your partner, minimizing higher risk sexual and/or drug use behaviors, and getting tested for HIV and other STIs.
Safer injection practices are ways to reduce the risk of becoming HIV positive through needles. These include using clean needles and works every time you inject and getting tested for HIV and Hepatitis C.
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is transmitted only through four fluids:
- Blood
- Semen (including pre-cum)
- Vaginal fluids
- Breast milk
Transmission of HIV can only occur when an HIV-infected body fluid enters the body through a port of entry (examples: vagina, anus, veins, mouth, direct access to tissue).
You cannot get HIV through touching, kissing, sharing food or beverages, or being friends with someone who is HIV positive.
Safer sex practices are ways to reduce the risk of becoming HIV positive. These include using barrier methods, knowing the HIV status of your partner, minimizing higher risk sexual and/or drug use behaviors, and getting tested for HIV and other STIs.
Safer injection practices are ways to reduce the risk of becoming HIV positive through needles. These include using clean needles and works every time you inject and getting tested for HIV and Hepatitis C.
HIV 101
- Provides information on how HIV is and is not transmitted
- Dispels myths about transmission; and presents current local and national statistics.
- Encourages participants to think about assessing personal risk behaviors; emphasizes effective prevention and harm reduction strategies including abstinence as well as personal responsibility; and. discusses critical thinking and negotiation strategies
HIV 101 is an interactive workshop designed to inform and educate the public on the basics of HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV) transmission, prevention and related stigmas.
Each HIV 101 presentation focuses on the following information: How HIV and HCV are transmitted, ways to address/reduce HIV and HCV-related stigma, ways to prevent/reduce new HIV and HCV infections, and how HIV and HCV cannot be contracted.
These presentations can be adapted to fit the needs and age level of the audience. They are an excellent complement to a comprehensive HIV/AIDS curriculum and help instructors fulfill the Oregon Department of Education Infectious Diseases requirement.
If you are interested in a presentation, please fill out the form below.
[contact-form to=’wrosenthal@hivalliance.org’ subject=’HIV 101 Presentation Inquiry’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Phone Number’ type=’text’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Organization’ type=’text’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’/][/contact-form]
Speakers in the Schools
- Also known as our “POZ” program presentations, these presentations are facilitated by someone living with or affected by HIV; They tell their personal story while weaving in prevention messages and some basic facts about HIV and AIDS.
- Presentations are designed to be interactive and may include written and oral information;
- Speakers are trained in age-appropriate presentation techniques.
Our Speakers in the Schools program has been providing HIV-positive speaker presentations in Lane County for over ten years. Their compelling presentations tell the story of their lives before, during, and after their diagnosis. The presentations are designed to increase compassion for people living with HIV/AIDS, address the complex reasons people are at risk for HIV, and inform students about the importance of harm reduction and prevention services. Speakers are also trained to answer questions and provide information about HIV transmission, risk assessment, and safer-sex techniques. The presentations are between 1-1.5 hours.
To schedule a speaker, contact Walter Rosenthal, Education Coordinator, or fill out the form below. Please schedule at least two weeks in advance.
[contact-form to=’wrosenthal@hivalliance.org%26#x002c; phansen@hivalliance.org’ subject=’SIS presentation request’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Phone Number’ type=’text’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Organization’ type=’text’/][contact-field label=’Please enter information about your presentation request (preferred dates%26#x002c; etc.)’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]
History of HIV/AIDS
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