Health Promotion

Health Promotion provides information, education and referral regarding BBV prevention, (with a focus on HIV and Hepatitis C) and STIs to service providers and the community.

Health Promotion is responsible for coordinating World AIDS Day and AIDS Awareness Week and National Hepatitis C Awareness Week.

Health Promotion aims to raise awareness of Blood Borne Viruses in the community through health promotion campaigns and education.

If you have any questions that you would like to discuss don't hesitate to contact NTAHC and speak to one of our workers.

HIV TRAVEL CAMPAIGN May - September 2010

HIV and Overseas Travel

Budget travel to many parts of Asia has increased enormously over the past few years, as Territorians take advantage of cheap airfares. It is often as cheap if not cheaper to travel to Asia than it is to travel to southern capital cities.

Asian countries provide a fantastic holiday experience, with food, drinks and great nightlife of activities at a cost much less than in Australia. Travellers take great precautions to avoid diarrhoea, making sure their valuables are safe and visas are in order.

People also need to take precautions around safe sex as HIV and STIs are more common in Asia. When travelling, people’s behaviour often changes. Travellers meet new people; often drink more alcohol which can lead to unsafe sex (sex without a condom and lube). Having unprotected sex whilst in Asia can put you at high risk of getting HIV and other STIs.

HIV

HIV is a slow-acting virus and often people with the virus can feel well for many years and have no obvious signs or symptoms, so a person can have HIV for many years without them being aware they have the virus. However, approximately 75% of people will develop a flu-like illness within 2-3 weeks of acquiring HIV, but not realise that this illness is related to HIV. The symptoms may include, fever, a rash, headaches, swollen glands, diarrhoea, sore throat and weight loss. Once this illness is over, it could be a number of years before the person has other symptoms.

If a person has put themself at risk, it is recommended that they see their doctor or visit Clinic 34 for a HIV test.

There is no cure for HIV/AIDS. Effective medications to slow down HIV are available but these medications can cause quite serious long lasting side effects. A person with HIV will carry the virus for life and is able to pass the virus to others.

Safe Sex and HIV

Most people with HIV look healthy, so you cannot tell by looking at someone whether they have HIV. Many STIs and HIV often have no symptoms. It is best to pack condoms and lube, carry them with you and use them. People may not plan to have sex overseas but it often happens, so being prepared with condoms and lube can keep you safe – in an ‘unexpected occasion’. Condoms and water based lubricant used correctly and consistently will help to protect you from HIV and STIs.

Transmission of HIV

HIV is transmitted through the exchange of sexual fluids; vaginal fluids, semen, pre-ejaculatory fluid, breast milk and blood. Activities that put people at risk of HIV infection are vaginal and anal sex without a condom. Oral sex carries less risk for the transmission of HIV, however many other STIs are commonly transmitted via oral sex. HIV is also transmitted through blood to blood contact ie sharing injecting equipment, having tattoos and body piercing done where strict infection control guidelines are not carried out.

HIV cannot be passed through; sharing food/drinks, sharing knives and forks, sharing cigarettes, swimming pools, toilets, coughing or sneezing or mosquitoes.

Testing for HIV

Before you are tested for HIV the doctor or nurse will discuss the test and implications with you. This is known as pre-test information. In this discussion the practitioner will talk about how HIV is transmitted, how to protect yourself and what it would mean if you have a positive or negative result, including what supports you might need.

The test for HIV is an HIV antibody test, which is a blood test. This test assesses if you have antibodies; antibodies can take up to three months to develop. This is known as the ‘window period’. If you have put yourself at risk and get tested two months after, you will still need to have a further test a month later to confirm a negative result.

Clinic 34 or your Doctor can provide a HIV test. Testing is confidential, and the results of your test should be provided to you in person.

Treatment of HIV

There is no vaccine or cure for HIV. However, there are some very effective HIV treatments which stop or slow down the progression to AIDS. This usually means a person with HIV will be taking three or more types of medication this is called combination therapy.

For further advise and information contact:

NT AIDS and Hepatitis Council (NTAHC)

For free and confidential information and support around HIV

Darwin 8944 7777

Alice Springs 8953 3172

Clinic 34:

Darwin 8999 2678

Katherine 8973 9049

Nhulunbuy 8987 0357

Alice Springs 8951 7549

Tennant Creek 8962 4250

Or see your local GP