Women and HIV: What’s the Risk?

March 10, 2010 is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Nationally, HIV/AIDS was the 6th leading cause of death in women of all ages in 2004.

In 2005, women represented 26 percent of new AIDS diagnoses, compared to only 11 percent of new AIDS cases reported in 1990. Most women are infected with HIV through heterosexual contact and injection drug use.

Women of color are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. AIDS is now the leading cause of death for Black women ages 25 to 34.

AIDS is a disease that was first identified in the early 1980’s.  Later, HIV was identified as the virus that causes AIDS.  (As a patient’s immune system gets weaker and weaker, HIV progresses into AIDS). 

Initially, HIV was found to be passed during sex and by sharing needles to inject drugs.  Since it affected many gay men, it was thought to be mostly a “gay disease”.  So much has changed since then. 

By the mid to late 1980’s we learned that HIV could affect anyone who had sex, shared needles or received an infected blood transfusion.  Later, HIV was also discovered in the breast milk of women infected with the virus.  In an effort to protect people from HIV infection, blood donors were tested for HIV to protect those receiving transfusions, people were encouraged to use condoms for “safe sex” and needle exchange programs were developed for IV drug users.

Unfortunately, 25 years later some things have not changed. 

Nationwide, the majority of AIDS cases diagnosed in 2007 among females 13 years or older were attributed to high-risk heterosexual contact.  In Iowa, women accounted for an average of 20% of positive HIV diagnosis from 2004 thru 2008.  Nationally, HIV/AIDS was the 6th leading cause of death in women of all ages in 2004.  The only diseases causing more deaths of women were cancer and heart disease.

When it comes to HIV/AIDS, women are at a disadvantage.  Biologically, women are significantly more likely than men to contract HIV infection during vaginal intercourse.  The presence of another STD can greatly influence the likelihood of acquiring HIV.  Socioeconomic problems may force a woman to trade sex for money or a place to live. Fear of physical abuse may also play a role in high risk sexual activity. Women may also not be aware of their male partner’s risk factors such as intravenous drug use or bisexuality, which in turn increases the women’s risk.

Physically, women suffer the same complications of AIDS that afflict men but also suffer gender-specific symptoms such as recurrent vaginal yeast infections, severe pelvic inflammatory disease, and increased rates of precancerous changes to the cervix.
Pregnant women who are HIV positive may also transmit the virus to their babies.  Medications taken during pregnancy can reduce the risk (from 25% transmission rate without medication to 2% with medication), however many women do not have access to medical care or do not seek proper prenatal care.  Breast feeding moms are also at risk for transmitting HIV to their infants.

The facts are alarming but women can empower themselves to reduce the risk of HIV infection.  Prevention measures may include sexual abstinence,  limiting the number of sexual partners a woman has in her lifetime, using latex condoms for all forms of sexual contact, talking to partners about past sexual history, and HIV/STD testing for women as well as their partners.

Even though there isn’t a cure for HIV yet, early detection and treatment of the virus can allow those infected to lead longer and stronger lives.

TAKE ACTION!

There are many ways you can take action in response to HIV/AIDS:

Immunizations | TB Screening | STDs | HIV / AIDS | Flu / Pneumonia
Head Lice | Bloodborne Pathogen Education | Hepatitis | Lead Poisoning Prevention Tests
Tattoo and Body Piercing Safety | Immunization Clinic Hours

Communicable Diseases Summary: A Guide for Schools

If we can assist you in any way, please contact our Disease Prevention staff at (641) 421-9321.