SCIENTIFIC APPARATUS & INSTRUMENTS
EUREKA INTERNATIONAL ENTERPRISES
Tripureshwor.................................. 4264005, 4252125 Kathmandu Mobile: 9851069053
P.O. Box: 4576 Fax: 977-1-4216152 E-mail: eurekanp@hotmail.com
Service: Please contact for Lab Chemicals, Glassware, and Science +2 scientific goods supply.
LEKALI TRADING CONCERN
Maitighar......................................... 4262855, 4257097 Kathmandu
P. O. Box: 2400 Fax: 977-1-4262619/4262855 E-mail: lekali@mail.com.np
Proprietor: Mr. Subash Shrestha Contact Person: Mr. Subash Shrestha
Service: Laboratory Chemicals, Glassware, Lab Equipments, Surgical/Medical Instruments and all requirements for school level Science Teaching Materials.
MENAKA ENTERPRISES (P.) LTD.
Thapathali Chowk............................................. 4260674 Kathmandu Mobile: 981036917
Fax: 977-1-4268294 E-mail: menaka@ntc.net.np Director: Mr. K. B. Karki Contact Person: Mr. K. B. Karki
Service: Supplier of Glassware, Laboratory Equipment, Scientific Chemical, etc.
NEPAL SCIENTIFIC TRADERS Nayabazaar...................................................... 4351383 Kathmandu........................................................ 2317145 Fax: 977-1- 4351383
E-mail: nepal_scientific@yahoo.com Website: www.nepal-schools.com/nst
Sales Manager: Mr. K. M. Shrestha Mobile: 9803027633, 9803071281
Service: Please contact for scientific goods and many more…
NEW SCIENCE HOUSE
Ram Bhandar Building Thapathali......................................................... 2171491 Kathmandu Mobile: 9841214465 Managing Director: Mr. Prabin Shrestha Mr. Prakash Shrestha
Contact Person: Mr. Bikash Man Shrestha
Service: Please contact for Laboratory, Chemicals, Glassware, Apparatus, Surgical, Pathology, Veterinary, School, Campuses, Agriculture, Research, Industries & Hospital Equipments, etc.
SUMAN ENTERPRISES (THE SCIENCE HOUSE) Basantapur.................................................... 4247747 Jhochhen....................................................... 4245205 P.O. Box: 3568, Kathmandu
Fax: 977-1-4245205 E-mail: sumanmed@wlink.com.np
Service: Scientific Laboratory Wares, Laboratory Chemicals and Glasswares, Laboratory Instruments, Bio-medical Supplies, Chemical Pathological kits & Reagents, Surgical and Clinical Supplies.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
VEHICLE (SCHOOL BUS/ MINI BUS SALE/ HIRE)
BHAJURATNA ENGINEERING & SALES LTD.
Head Office: Jyoti Bhawan, Kantipath. Phone: 4225230, 4225134
Sales Office: Thapathli, KathmanduPhone: 4222685, 4220322
E-mail: besl@sbkb.wlink.com.np
Contact:Mr. Maheshwor Das(Divisional Manager)
CUBE INTERCONTINENTAL PVT. LTD.
Kamaladi 4219350, 4241121 Kathmandu.......... 4219351Fax: 977-1-4226772
E-mail: cube@info.com.np
Contact:Mr. Deepak Thapa(Director Marketing)
Service: Dealer of EICHER BUSES.
KEDIA INTERNATIONAL PVT. LTD.
Minbhawan 4480928, 4480929 New Baneshwor
P.O. Box: 13368, Kathmandu
Fax: 977-1-4480928, 4442431
E-mail: auto@kediaorganisation.com
Website: kediaorganisation.com
Contact:Mr. Dipak Kumar Acharya(Director-Auto Mobile)
Service: Dealer of SWARAJ MAZDA BUSES.
SIPRADI TRADING PVT. LTD.
Thapathali........... 4240133 Kathmandu.......... 4230340
Fax: 977-1-4225096
E-mail: sbhattarai@sipradi.com.np
Website: www. sipradi.com.np
Contact:Mr. Suraj Bhattarai(Sales Executive) Mobile: 984129324
Service: Dealer of TATA LP 709 EX BUS.
BHAJURATNA ENGINEERING & SALES LTD.
Head Office: Jyoti Bhawan, Kantipath. Phone: 4225230, 4225134
Sales Office: Thapathli, KathmanduPhone: 4222685, 4220322
E-mail: besl@sbkb.wlink.com.np
Contact:Mr. Maheshwor Das(Divisional Manager)
CUBE INTERCONTINENTAL PVT. LTD.
Kamaladi 4219350, 4241121 Kathmandu.......... 4219351Fax: 977-1-4226772
E-mail: cube@info.com.np
Contact:Mr. Deepak Thapa(Director Marketing)
Service: Dealer of EICHER BUSES.
KEDIA INTERNATIONAL PVT. LTD.
Minbhawan 4480928, 4480929 New Baneshwor
P.O. Box: 13368, Kathmandu
Fax: 977-1-4480928, 4442431
E-mail: auto@kediaorganisation.com
Website: kediaorganisation.com
Contact:Mr. Dipak Kumar Acharya(Director-Auto Mobile)
Service: Dealer of SWARAJ MAZDA BUSES.
SIPRADI TRADING PVT. LTD.
Thapathali........... 4240133 Kathmandu.......... 4230340
Fax: 977-1-4225096
E-mail: sbhattarai@sipradi.com.np
Website: www. sipradi.com.np
Contact:Mr. Suraj Bhattarai(Sales Executive) Mobile: 984129324
Service: Dealer of TATA LP 709 EX BUS.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
agriculture
LAHORE: A complete transformation of the economy has hit hard the agriculture sector, which has suffered badly due to lack of interest by the government in developing the sector in accordance with the modern techniques.The latest Economic Survey reveals that the share of agriculture has reduced to 20.9 percent from the earlier 24 percent and experts fear further decline in case no tangible effort is made to develop this sector on modern lines.
Interestingly, Pakistan’s economy is growing at a rate of 7 percent annually over the last few years and agriculture, its mainstay, is losing its share as a percentage of GDP resulting in a supply shortage of food items to the public. The federal government had allocated Rs 18 billion for the sector in 2006-07 and it spent Rs 10 billion. The remaining Rs 8 billion, said experts, has again been clubbed with another Rs10 billion to re-allocate Rs 18 billion for the current fiscal year.
In Punjab, the government allocated over one billion rupees in the fiscal year 2006-07 and increased it to Rs 2.8 billion in fiscal year 2007-08 but if one compares it with the allocation for education of over Rs 21 billion, allocation for agriculture seems a paltry sum. While most of the youngsters leave their education unfinished as soon as they are able to share the burden of cultivation in the rural economy. Therefore, heavy spending on education, according to some agriculture experts, would go unnoticed and the government would not only lose heavily in the education sector but it would also end up with a deteriorating agriculture sector.
“I strongly believe that even an allocation of Rs 2.8 billion for agriculture would not be spent properly, as agriculture is not on the top of government’s priority list,” said Ibrahim Mughal, Chairman Agri Forum Pakistan.
He also lambasted the federal policy makers for not extending required attention to the sector.
“They are actually interested in eliminating the sector, as imports suit them,” he said.
According to him, the economic managers of the government are giving all credit to the services sector in the national economy without realising that growth of the financial sector was dependent on the loans extended to industries related to the agriculture sector like textile, sugar and flour mills.
Dr Salman Shah, in a recent interaction with the media, pointed out that the government has injected billions of rupees in the rural economy by announcing lucrative support prices for crops like wheat and sugarcane. However, he was not able to satisfy reporters when he was asked what the government had done so far to modernise the agriculture sector.
According to some economists, the policy of announcing support prices has made the agriculture sector inefficient, as farmers have not given attention to enhancing crops’ per acre yield or improving the quality of crops. Instead, priority was given to those crops where they were getting high premium due to government’s intervention. As a matter of fact, the strategy of support prices has not only made agriculture sector inefficient but has also made the related industries sick on one hand and on the other hand, has made the consumers pay high price for food items.
Though, Dr Salman Shah does not admit that the development of agriculture sector on modern lines has been ignored over the last five years but policymakers in Punjab do admit the fact. According to them, the current fiscal year is the ‘year of agricultural reforms’ and further capacity to absorb would be created throughout the year
Interestingly, Pakistan’s economy is growing at a rate of 7 percent annually over the last few years and agriculture, its mainstay, is losing its share as a percentage of GDP resulting in a supply shortage of food items to the public. The federal government had allocated Rs 18 billion for the sector in 2006-07 and it spent Rs 10 billion. The remaining Rs 8 billion, said experts, has again been clubbed with another Rs10 billion to re-allocate Rs 18 billion for the current fiscal year.
In Punjab, the government allocated over one billion rupees in the fiscal year 2006-07 and increased it to Rs 2.8 billion in fiscal year 2007-08 but if one compares it with the allocation for education of over Rs 21 billion, allocation for agriculture seems a paltry sum. While most of the youngsters leave their education unfinished as soon as they are able to share the burden of cultivation in the rural economy. Therefore, heavy spending on education, according to some agriculture experts, would go unnoticed and the government would not only lose heavily in the education sector but it would also end up with a deteriorating agriculture sector.
“I strongly believe that even an allocation of Rs 2.8 billion for agriculture would not be spent properly, as agriculture is not on the top of government’s priority list,” said Ibrahim Mughal, Chairman Agri Forum Pakistan.
He also lambasted the federal policy makers for not extending required attention to the sector.
“They are actually interested in eliminating the sector, as imports suit them,” he said.
According to him, the economic managers of the government are giving all credit to the services sector in the national economy without realising that growth of the financial sector was dependent on the loans extended to industries related to the agriculture sector like textile, sugar and flour mills.
Dr Salman Shah, in a recent interaction with the media, pointed out that the government has injected billions of rupees in the rural economy by announcing lucrative support prices for crops like wheat and sugarcane. However, he was not able to satisfy reporters when he was asked what the government had done so far to modernise the agriculture sector.
According to some economists, the policy of announcing support prices has made the agriculture sector inefficient, as farmers have not given attention to enhancing crops’ per acre yield or improving the quality of crops. Instead, priority was given to those crops where they were getting high premium due to government’s intervention. As a matter of fact, the strategy of support prices has not only made agriculture sector inefficient but has also made the related industries sick on one hand and on the other hand, has made the consumers pay high price for food items.
Though, Dr Salman Shah does not admit that the development of agriculture sector on modern lines has been ignored over the last five years but policymakers in Punjab do admit the fact. According to them, the current fiscal year is the ‘year of agricultural reforms’ and further capacity to absorb would be created throughout the year
Friday, March 13, 2009
poem
A Dream Within A Dream
Take this kiss upon the brow!And, in parting from you now,Thus much let me avow-You are not wrong, who deemThat my days have been a dream;Yet if hope has flown awayIn a night, or in a day,In a vision, or in none,Is it therefore the less gone?All that we see or seemIs but a dream within a dream.I stand amid the roarOf a surf-tormented shore,And I hold within my handGrains of the golden sand-How few! yet how they creepThrough my fingers to the deep,While I weep- while I weep!O God! can I not graspThem with a tighter clasp?O God! can I not saveOne from the pitiless wave?Is all that we see or seemBut a dream within a dream?
Take this kiss upon the brow!And, in parting from you now,Thus much let me avow-You are not wrong, who deemThat my days have been a dream;Yet if hope has flown awayIn a night, or in a day,In a vision, or in none,Is it therefore the less gone?All that we see or seemIs but a dream within a dream.I stand amid the roarOf a surf-tormented shore,And I hold within my handGrains of the golden sand-How few! yet how they creepThrough my fingers to the deep,While I weep- while I weep!O God! can I not graspThem with a tighter clasp?O God! can I not saveOne from the pitiless wave?Is all that we see or seemBut a dream within a dream?
POEM
TAKE CARE OF MY HEART
dear, wherever you go
my love will always be with you..
.it will warm your night
it refreshes your day.
dear, whatever you do
my love always reminds you..
the laughters we shared
the games we played..
dear, i gave you my heart
dont try to play with it...
a sensitive one
please take care of it.
.don't let time vanish our promisesnor
nor a distance be a reason for it..
always take care of my heart
not just today but everyday..
since you took the greatest part of me
no more heart, how could it be..
can i take the heart from you?
so i could take care of it too
dear, wherever you go
my love will always be with you..
.it will warm your night
it refreshes your day.
dear, whatever you do
my love always reminds you..
the laughters we shared
the games we played..
dear, i gave you my heart
dont try to play with it...
a sensitive one
please take care of it.
.don't let time vanish our promisesnor
nor a distance be a reason for it..
always take care of my heart
not just today but everyday..
since you took the greatest part of me
no more heart, how could it be..
can i take the heart from you?
so i could take care of it too
WOMEN AND HIV
Women and HIV
A Look at the Numbers
Over two and a half decades have passed since the first diagnosis of AIDS in America. While there were a handful of women among the first cases, AIDS was thought to primarily affect gay men. As the years passed, women began to emerge as the changing face of AIDS. The proportion of HIV and AIDS cases among women has more than tripled from 7 percent in 1985 to an alarming 30% in 2005. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there were 127,150 women living with HIV/AIDS in the US in 2005.
However, women remain undiagnosed, or not in care, and The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates a much higher prevalence of between 300,000 and 500,000 HIV+ women in the U.S. in 2005. WHO estimates that there were between 15.1 -20.9 million HIV+ women worldwide, accounting for almost half of the estimated 39.5 million HIV+ adults in 2006.
HIV has hit the African-American and Hispanic communities particularly hard. Women in these communities account for over 78 percent of all female AIDS cases in the U.S. There has also been an increase in HIV diagnoses in older women (45 and older.)
For women in America, high-risk heterosexual contact is clearly the most prevalent mode of transmission: 72% of new HIV infections are by heterosexual contact. A further 26% have been exposed through injection drug use.
Is HIV Different for Men and Women?
Until recently, very little research had been done on women and HIV. While many questions remain unanswered, there is some information about how HIV-related illnesses affect men and women differently:
Men are eight times more likely than women to develop Kaposi's sarcoma or KS (a cancer-like disease caused by a herpes virus)
Women are more likely than men to develop bacterial pneumonia
Women may have higher rates of herpes simplex infections than men
When women are first diagnosed, they tend to have lower concentrations of HIV in their blood (lower viral loads) compared to men. In addition, women tend to have lower CD4 cell counts than men with equal viral loads. Yet women seem to progress to AIDS at the same rate
Trials are currently underway to determine how certain HIV drugs affect women differently than men. If you are thinking about starting treatment, it is important to watch your lab results and talk to your doctor about the best treatment plan for you.
Differences in Care and Treatment
Women tend to be diagnosed with HIV later in the disease than men. In addition, once they know their status, up to 25 percent of women postpone medical care due to several barriers including:
Limited access to health care due to lack of insurance
Unstable housing
Fear of partner violence
Other responsibilities such as child care or caring for a sick partner
The stigma associated with HIV
Active substance abuse
Depression
If women do receive adequate care and treatment in a timely manner, they appear to benefit from HIV therapy as much as men. However, side effects from some HIV drugs are more significant in women than men.
Gender differences in side effects may be due to an interaction between HIV therapy and female hormones. It may also be the result of women's smaller physical size. Standard doses of drugs are usually based upon research done predominantly in men. This means a woman, who will generally weigh less than a man, may get a higher amount of the drug in her body than is needed to be effective.
If you are experiencing side effects, be sure to ask your doctor for help. Do not change your dose or stop your drugs without speaking to your doctor first!
Gynecological Issues with HIV+ Women
Certain gynecological conditions are more common, more serious and/or more difficult to treat in HIV+ women than HIV-negative women:
Some vaginal infections (including yeast infections)
Bacterial vaginosis
Common sexually transmitted diseases (such as gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and trichomoniasis)
Herpes simplex virus outbreaks
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Although there is little conclusive research regarding HIV+ women and menstruation, many HIV+ women report menstrual irregularities. Some have excessive bleeding while others stop menstruating altogether.
Dysplasia, a pre-cancerous condition in the female reproductive system, is more common in HIV+ women, especially in women with advanced HIV disease. It is often more severe and difficult to treat than in HIV-negative women. Untreated dysplasia often leads to cervical cancer, a life-threatening illness.
It is very important for HIV+ women to have regular Pap smears. A Pap smear is a screening test your doctor does to check for changes in the cervix. An abnormal Pap smear can indicate inflammation, infection, dysplasia, or cancer.
HIV+ women are 10 times more likely to have abnormal Pap smears than HIV-negative women. These abnormal Paps are usually associated with low CD4 cell countsand human papilloma virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease that can also cause genital warts.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that:
HIV+ women have a complete gynecological examination, including a Pap smear, when they are first diagnosed or when they first seek prenatal care
HIV+ women have another Pap six months later
If both tests are negative, yearly screening is recommended
Women who have symptomatic HIV infection or who have had dysplasia in the past should receive a Pap smear every 6 months
In Conclusion
More research is clearly needed to determine how HIV progresses in women and how HIV drugs affect women’s bodies. However, it does seem that the HIV drugs can benefit women as much as men if women access care and treatment in a timely fashion. It is important to get tested for HIV on a regular basis. If the results are positive, it is even more important to seek on-going medical and gynecological care. By taking advantage of good health care and treatment, you increase your chances of living a longer and healthier life for you and your loved ones.
A Look at the Numbers
Over two and a half decades have passed since the first diagnosis of AIDS in America. While there were a handful of women among the first cases, AIDS was thought to primarily affect gay men. As the years passed, women began to emerge as the changing face of AIDS. The proportion of HIV and AIDS cases among women has more than tripled from 7 percent in 1985 to an alarming 30% in 2005. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there were 127,150 women living with HIV/AIDS in the US in 2005.
However, women remain undiagnosed, or not in care, and The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates a much higher prevalence of between 300,000 and 500,000 HIV+ women in the U.S. in 2005. WHO estimates that there were between 15.1 -20.9 million HIV+ women worldwide, accounting for almost half of the estimated 39.5 million HIV+ adults in 2006.
HIV has hit the African-American and Hispanic communities particularly hard. Women in these communities account for over 78 percent of all female AIDS cases in the U.S. There has also been an increase in HIV diagnoses in older women (45 and older.)
For women in America, high-risk heterosexual contact is clearly the most prevalent mode of transmission: 72% of new HIV infections are by heterosexual contact. A further 26% have been exposed through injection drug use.
Is HIV Different for Men and Women?
Until recently, very little research had been done on women and HIV. While many questions remain unanswered, there is some information about how HIV-related illnesses affect men and women differently:
Men are eight times more likely than women to develop Kaposi's sarcoma or KS (a cancer-like disease caused by a herpes virus)
Women are more likely than men to develop bacterial pneumonia
Women may have higher rates of herpes simplex infections than men
When women are first diagnosed, they tend to have lower concentrations of HIV in their blood (lower viral loads) compared to men. In addition, women tend to have lower CD4 cell counts than men with equal viral loads. Yet women seem to progress to AIDS at the same rate
Trials are currently underway to determine how certain HIV drugs affect women differently than men. If you are thinking about starting treatment, it is important to watch your lab results and talk to your doctor about the best treatment plan for you.
Differences in Care and Treatment
Women tend to be diagnosed with HIV later in the disease than men. In addition, once they know their status, up to 25 percent of women postpone medical care due to several barriers including:
Limited access to health care due to lack of insurance
Unstable housing
Fear of partner violence
Other responsibilities such as child care or caring for a sick partner
The stigma associated with HIV
Active substance abuse
Depression
If women do receive adequate care and treatment in a timely manner, they appear to benefit from HIV therapy as much as men. However, side effects from some HIV drugs are more significant in women than men.
Gender differences in side effects may be due to an interaction between HIV therapy and female hormones. It may also be the result of women's smaller physical size. Standard doses of drugs are usually based upon research done predominantly in men. This means a woman, who will generally weigh less than a man, may get a higher amount of the drug in her body than is needed to be effective.
If you are experiencing side effects, be sure to ask your doctor for help. Do not change your dose or stop your drugs without speaking to your doctor first!
Gynecological Issues with HIV+ Women
Certain gynecological conditions are more common, more serious and/or more difficult to treat in HIV+ women than HIV-negative women:
Some vaginal infections (including yeast infections)
Bacterial vaginosis
Common sexually transmitted diseases (such as gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and trichomoniasis)
Herpes simplex virus outbreaks
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Although there is little conclusive research regarding HIV+ women and menstruation, many HIV+ women report menstrual irregularities. Some have excessive bleeding while others stop menstruating altogether.
Dysplasia, a pre-cancerous condition in the female reproductive system, is more common in HIV+ women, especially in women with advanced HIV disease. It is often more severe and difficult to treat than in HIV-negative women. Untreated dysplasia often leads to cervical cancer, a life-threatening illness.
It is very important for HIV+ women to have regular Pap smears. A Pap smear is a screening test your doctor does to check for changes in the cervix. An abnormal Pap smear can indicate inflammation, infection, dysplasia, or cancer.
HIV+ women are 10 times more likely to have abnormal Pap smears than HIV-negative women. These abnormal Paps are usually associated with low CD4 cell countsand human papilloma virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease that can also cause genital warts.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that:
HIV+ women have a complete gynecological examination, including a Pap smear, when they are first diagnosed or when they first seek prenatal care
HIV+ women have another Pap six months later
If both tests are negative, yearly screening is recommended
Women who have symptomatic HIV infection or who have had dysplasia in the past should receive a Pap smear every 6 months
In Conclusion
More research is clearly needed to determine how HIV progresses in women and how HIV drugs affect women’s bodies. However, it does seem that the HIV drugs can benefit women as much as men if women access care and treatment in a timely fashion. It is important to get tested for HIV on a regular basis. If the results are positive, it is even more important to seek on-going medical and gynecological care. By taking advantage of good health care and treatment, you increase your chances of living a longer and healthier life for you and your loved ones.
what is hiv ?
What is HIV?
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.
While many viruses can be controlled by the immune system, HIV targets and infects the same immune system cells that are supposed to protect us from illnesses. These are a type of white blood cell called CD4 cells.
HIV takes over CD4 cells and turns them into virus factories that produce thousands of viral copies. As the virus grows, it damages or kills CD4 cells, weakening the immune system.
What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection.
HIV causes AIDS by attacking the immune system’s soldiers – the CD4 cells. When the immune system loses too many CD4 cells, you are less able to fight off infection and can develop serious, often deadly, infections. These are called opportunistic infections (OIs) because they take advantage of the body's weakened defenses.
When someone dies of AIDS, it is usually opportunistic infections or other long-term effects of HIV infection that cause death. AIDS refers to the body’s immune-compromised state that can no longer stop OIs from developing and becoming so deadly.
What is the Difference Between HIV and AIDS?
You don't have AIDS as soon as you are infected with HIV. You can be HIV+ for many years with no signs of disease, or only mild-to-moderate symptoms. But without treatment, HIV will eventually wear down the immune system in most people to the point that they develop more serious OIs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines someone as having AIDS if he or she is HIV+ and meets one or both of these conditions:
Has had at least one of 21 AIDS-defining opportunistic infections
Has had a CD4 cell count (T-cell count) of 200 cells or less (a normal CD4 count varies by laboratory, but usually is in the 600 to 1,500 range)
How Do I Know if I Have HIV?
Most people can not tell that they have been exposed or infected. It can take up to 12 weeks for an HIV test to come back positive. However most people respond much faster. Within two to four weeks of exposure to HIV, you might have flu-like symptoms such as fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, or rash.
The only way to know for sure if you are infected is take an HIV test. If you are infected, your immune system will make antibodies to fight the virus. The HIV test looks for these antibodies. If you have them in your blood, it means that you have HIV infection.
Do I Need to Get Tested for HIV?
The CDC estimates that more than 25% of HIV+ people are unaware of their HIV status. Many of these people look and feel healthy and do not think they are at risk. But the truth is that anyone of any age, gender, race, sexual orientation, or social or economic class can become infected. It is your actions (or the actions taken against you), that put you at risk. You should be tested if:
You have had vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom
You have shared needles or syringes to inject drugs (including steroids or hormones)
You are uncertain of your partner’s status or your partner is HIV+
You are pregnant or are considering becoming pregnant
You have ever been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease
You have hepatitis C
Why Should I Get Tested?
If you test HIV+ there are effective medications to help you stay well. But you cannot get the health care and treatment you need if you do not know your HIV status. Being unaware of your status also makes it more likely to unknowingly pass HIV to others.
If you test HIV- you can take steps to stay that way. You can also spare yourself unnecessary worrying.
What Tests are Available?
The most common test for HIV is the antibody test (called ELISA). It can be done on blood, saliva, or urine. According to the CDC, it is more than 99% accurate. Results are generally available within two weeks. (There is a rapid ELISA test that gives results in less than half an hour.)
A positive result means your body has developed antibodies for HIV, so you are infected with the virus. To be completely certain, positive results are confirmed with a more sensitive test called the Western blot.
A negative result means your body has not developed antibodies and are probably not infected. To get truly accurate results, it's necessary to wait three to six months after your last possible exposure to the virus before being tested. That is because the immune system can take anywhere from three to twelve weeks to make antibodies. In this "window period," someone may get an unclear result or a false negative.
Where Can I Get Tested?
You can get tested at your doctor’s office, a clinic, the local health department facilities, or at a hospital. In addition, many states offer anonymous HIV testing. You can also purchase a kit that allows you to collect your own blood sample, send it to a lab for testing, and receive the results anonymously. (Only the "Home Access" brand kit is approved by the Food and Drug Administration.)
It is important to get tested at a site that provides counseling. Counselors can answer questions about high-risk behavior and suggest ways you can protect yourself and others in the future. People who test HIV+ can receive support and referrals to health care and other services. The counselor can help you through the whole testing process – from start to finish.
The CDC's National AIDS Hotline can answer questions about HIV testing and refer you to testing sites in your area:
1-800-342-2437 (English)
1-800-344-7432 (Spanish
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.
While many viruses can be controlled by the immune system, HIV targets and infects the same immune system cells that are supposed to protect us from illnesses. These are a type of white blood cell called CD4 cells.
HIV takes over CD4 cells and turns them into virus factories that produce thousands of viral copies. As the virus grows, it damages or kills CD4 cells, weakening the immune system.
What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection.
HIV causes AIDS by attacking the immune system’s soldiers – the CD4 cells. When the immune system loses too many CD4 cells, you are less able to fight off infection and can develop serious, often deadly, infections. These are called opportunistic infections (OIs) because they take advantage of the body's weakened defenses.
When someone dies of AIDS, it is usually opportunistic infections or other long-term effects of HIV infection that cause death. AIDS refers to the body’s immune-compromised state that can no longer stop OIs from developing and becoming so deadly.
What is the Difference Between HIV and AIDS?
You don't have AIDS as soon as you are infected with HIV. You can be HIV+ for many years with no signs of disease, or only mild-to-moderate symptoms. But without treatment, HIV will eventually wear down the immune system in most people to the point that they develop more serious OIs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines someone as having AIDS if he or she is HIV+ and meets one or both of these conditions:
Has had at least one of 21 AIDS-defining opportunistic infections
Has had a CD4 cell count (T-cell count) of 200 cells or less (a normal CD4 count varies by laboratory, but usually is in the 600 to 1,500 range)
How Do I Know if I Have HIV?
Most people can not tell that they have been exposed or infected. It can take up to 12 weeks for an HIV test to come back positive. However most people respond much faster. Within two to four weeks of exposure to HIV, you might have flu-like symptoms such as fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, or rash.
The only way to know for sure if you are infected is take an HIV test. If you are infected, your immune system will make antibodies to fight the virus. The HIV test looks for these antibodies. If you have them in your blood, it means that you have HIV infection.
Do I Need to Get Tested for HIV?
The CDC estimates that more than 25% of HIV+ people are unaware of their HIV status. Many of these people look and feel healthy and do not think they are at risk. But the truth is that anyone of any age, gender, race, sexual orientation, or social or economic class can become infected. It is your actions (or the actions taken against you), that put you at risk. You should be tested if:
You have had vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom
You have shared needles or syringes to inject drugs (including steroids or hormones)
You are uncertain of your partner’s status or your partner is HIV+
You are pregnant or are considering becoming pregnant
You have ever been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease
You have hepatitis C
Why Should I Get Tested?
If you test HIV+ there are effective medications to help you stay well. But you cannot get the health care and treatment you need if you do not know your HIV status. Being unaware of your status also makes it more likely to unknowingly pass HIV to others.
If you test HIV- you can take steps to stay that way. You can also spare yourself unnecessary worrying.
What Tests are Available?
The most common test for HIV is the antibody test (called ELISA). It can be done on blood, saliva, or urine. According to the CDC, it is more than 99% accurate. Results are generally available within two weeks. (There is a rapid ELISA test that gives results in less than half an hour.)
A positive result means your body has developed antibodies for HIV, so you are infected with the virus. To be completely certain, positive results are confirmed with a more sensitive test called the Western blot.
A negative result means your body has not developed antibodies and are probably not infected. To get truly accurate results, it's necessary to wait three to six months after your last possible exposure to the virus before being tested. That is because the immune system can take anywhere from three to twelve weeks to make antibodies. In this "window period," someone may get an unclear result or a false negative.
Where Can I Get Tested?
You can get tested at your doctor’s office, a clinic, the local health department facilities, or at a hospital. In addition, many states offer anonymous HIV testing. You can also purchase a kit that allows you to collect your own blood sample, send it to a lab for testing, and receive the results anonymously. (Only the "Home Access" brand kit is approved by the Food and Drug Administration.)
It is important to get tested at a site that provides counseling. Counselors can answer questions about high-risk behavior and suggest ways you can protect yourself and others in the future. People who test HIV+ can receive support and referrals to health care and other services. The counselor can help you through the whole testing process – from start to finish.
The CDC's National AIDS Hotline can answer questions about HIV testing and refer you to testing sites in your area:
1-800-342-2437 (English)
1-800-344-7432 (Spanish
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