Ask Dr. C..HIV and healthcare advke
Helping to keep you in the know with up-to-date information
by Frederick Cruickshank ^ Medical Director
--4/—^
After many installments of "Ask Dr.C,"
this is yet another opportunity to offer our
readers information about HIV from basic
questions to in-depth explanations. We are
still receiving many of your questions and
are working hard to provide responses to
as many questions as possible to provide
information for you and the community. The
questions have provided us with a forum to
debunk myths and remove stigma from those
living with HIV and AIDS. It is important
to educate yourself, get tested and protect
Michelle, the answer is no, douching after
sex does not provide protection against
HIV transmission. Douching is not effective
because semen enters the cervical canal
almost immediately after ejaculation. Also,
there is no evidence to suggest that douching
after anal sex offers any HIV protection. The
act of douching can irritate vaginal tissues
and make- it easier to become infected by
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV.
It can also cause infection by disrupting the
natural balance of bacteria and yeast in the
vagina and it can complicate an existing
infection. Because of this, I would suggest
that you do not use douching products. If you
are concerned with protecting yourself from
HIV, it is important to use a condom each
different types, or strains, of HIV. Re-infection
or super-infection with a new strain of HIV may
make the disease progress more quickly and
I * 7 • f
1 or I
may require the use of medicines different from
the ones used to treat the original strain. If you
hove any other concerns or want to discuss
this topic further, I urge you to talk with your
own HIV specialist or make an appointment
here at Rosedale to talk with me. Our number
is 704-948-8582.
Can an employer require that a job
applicant be tested hr HIV?
— Samuel from Charlotte
Samuel, the answer to your question is
no. Under federal government non-discrimina
tion laws, an employer cannot require a job
applicant to tell his or her HIV status or to have
an HIV test to get or keep a job. If you feel that
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you have been discriminated against or your
time you engage in any sexual activity and
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get tested regularly.
yourself. We appreciate every question we
C looks forward to responding to
receive! Dr
as many emails as possible
Does douching after sex reduce the
risk for HIV infection?
— Michelle from Huntersville
My partner and I are both HIV posh
five. Do I still need to wear a condom
if we are already both HIV positive?
—Amanda from Charlotte
Yes, Amanda, it is still important for you to use
condoms when engaging in sexual activity.
Any couple with HIV still needs protection from
STDs and you may want to prevent pregnancy.
Condoms also protect against exposure to
How do you know when someone
who is HIV positive progresses to
AIDS?
— Robbie from Charlotte
Robbie, this is a great question because I
think many times people think HIV and AIDS
are the same thing. According to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
a person with HIV infection hos AIDS when
"the person's CD4 count, a way to measure
the strength of the immune system, falls below
200 (a normal CD4 count is 500 or higher);
or the person develops any of the specific
serious conditions — also called AIDS-defining
illnesses — linked to HIV infection." So, basi
cally AIDS occurs when HIV progresses and
the person's body is less effective at fighting
off tne virus.
employer has done this, you need to let them
t(i6 ■
know they have broken the law. If they still
continue such actions you should contact your
local courts for further action.
Always remember that this is an advice
column based upon your questions and the
best possible knowledge out there. We need
your questions to help educate the community,
so email them to info@rosedaleid.com and
be sure to include a first name and location.
All respondents will remain anonymous. We
will try to do our best to answer, educate and
inform from your responses to this column.
Don't forget to visit our website at
rosedaleid.com and Mend us on
Facebook hr community and clinical
updates.
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8 qnotes March 3-16.2012