AIDS, Addiction and Treatment
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a progressive, incurable disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). After exposure to the HIV virus, patients may feel like they have the flu or a bad cold, and then it can lie dormant for many years before reappearing and developing into AIDS. AIDS destroys certain key cells in the immune system, impairing the immune system and predisposing the individual to a number of opportunistic infections and cancers.
At Private Clinic North, we are most concerned with the method of transmission of this syndrome. Drug use through the sharing of contaminated needles and other methods of ingesting drugs that result in contact with blood or blood byproducts is of paramount concern. Inhibitions are often lowered because of drug use, and the indiscriminant sexual behavior that sometimes follows are another vector for the transmission of this disease among our patient population.
There are tests that can be performed to confirm HIV infection. Although there is no cure at present, there are drugs that can slow the progression or inactivate the virus. The treatment of the disease focuses on the type of infection or malignancy that the individual develops.
If you have been an IV drug user or have engaged in high risk behavior like sexual contact with multiple partners and are concerned about the possibility of having HIV or AIDS, discuss this with your counselor. We would be happy to refer you to a local testing center for a free HIV test.
