HIV/AIDS Fact Sheet

January 2008
Office of Disease Prevention - 605-773-3737 — (1-800-592-1861 in South Dakota only)

NOTE: Since HIV is spread primarily through sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages on this site may address these topics. HIV prevention materials funded by CDC must be approved by local program review panels. However, the materials may be considered controversial by some viewers.

CONTENTS: | How you can & can't get infected | High risk categories | Other facts | Reducing risk |
SD HIV/AIDS statistics | Confidential information | SD counseling & testing sites |

How you CAN get HIV infection/AIDS
Blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast feeding
How you WON’T get HIV infection/AIDS
Not through saliva, tears, urine, stool
  • Unprotected sexual contact (anal, vaginal, or oral) with an HIV infected person
  • Sharing needles and syringes - injectable drug use
  • Receiving blood transfusions or organs between January 1977 and June 1985 (blood and organs received after June 1985 are considered safe from HIV)
  • Mother to baby before, during, or after birth (HIV may be transmitted through breast milk if infant is nursed by an HIV infected mother)
  • Occupation in healthcare or lab
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  • Not by being bitten by mosquitoes or other bugs
  • Not by being bitten by an animal
  • Not by eating food handled, prepared, or served by someone with HIV infection
  • Not by sharing toilets, telephones, or clothes
  • Not by sharing forks, spoons, knives, or drinking glasses
  • Not by touching, hugging, or kissing a person with HIV infection
  • Not by attending school, participating in sports, church, shopping malls, or other public places with HIV infected people

High Risk Categories (national statistics of people diagnosed with AIDS through December 2005)

  • 44% Homosexual/bisexual males
  • 24% Injectable drug users
  • 7% Homosexual/bisexual males who are also injectable drug users
  • 1% Persons with hemophilia/coagulation disorder
  • 13% High-risk heterosexual males and females
  • 1% Transfusion and organ recipients
  • 1% Mother HIV positive
  • 11% Other (occupational, undetermined, patients died, were lost to follow-up, or refused interview)
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Other Facts
  • 956,019 cases of AIDS have been reported in the U.S. as of December 2005.
  • At the end of 2005, an estimated 476,095 persons were living with HIV/AIDS in the 33 states with confidential name-based HIV infection reporting since 2001.
  • From 2001 through 2005 among both males and females, the estimated number of deaths of IDUs decreased, but the number of deaths of persons exposed through high-risk heterosexual contact has increased.
  • People at highest risk for HIV and AIDS are men who have sex with men, injectable drug users, racial/ethnic minority populations, and people infected through heterosexual contact.
  • The incubation period, from infection until symptoms appear, is usually 8-11 years.
  • Although treatment has extended the lives of people living with HIV, there is no cure and there is no vaccine for HIV at this time.
  • The estimated number of deaths of persons with AIDS who resided in the 50 states and the District of Columbia decreased 4% from 2001 through 2005.
  • Among female adults and adolescents, from 2001 through 2005, the estimated number of AIDS cases increased among IDUs and females exposed through high-risk heterosexual contact.
  • From 2001 through 2005, among male adults and adolescents, the estimated number of AIDS cases decreased among IDUs and increased among MSM, MSM who were also IDUs and males exposed through high-risk heterosexual contact. (return to contents)

How You Can Reduce Your Risk of Exposure and Infection with HIV

  1. Abstain from having sexual intercourse. Your risk of exposure to HIV through
    sexual contact becomes zero when you are not exposed to potentially infectious blood, semen, or vaginal secretions.
  2. Develop a monogamous relationship with mutual fidelity. Persons who are not infected and in a monogamous (one sex partner) relationship with mutual fidelity (no cheating), have no risk of exposure to HIV through sex (provided neither shares IV drug needles).
  3. Avoid sex with persons at risk for getting HIV, persons who have tested positive for HIV, or persons who have AIDS.
  4. Use of condoms can reduce your risk of any sexually transmitted disease, but they are NO guarantee. Brand name latex is best.
  5. Don’t abuse IV drugs. Don’t shoot drugs, if you do, don’t share needles or
    syringes. Many diseases are spread this way (Hepatitis).
  6. If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, get counseled and tested. Refer to the listing below for free and confidential counseling, testing, referral, and information. (return to contents)

South Dakota HIV/AIDS Statistics through December 2007

Number of South Dakota residents reported infected with HIV — 554
Number of the above that have been diagnosed with AIDS — 326 (return to contents)

Confidential Information

HIV/AIDS Prevention Project
615 E. 4th Street
Pierre, SD 57501 National AIDS Hotline
(605) 773-3737

South Dakota AIDS Hotline
Department of Health 1-800-592-1861 (in-state)

CDC Hotline
1-800-232-4636
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SD Department of Health HIV Counseling and Testing Sites (free confidential information and HIV testing)

You may also contact a private physician to inquire about obtaining HIV counseling and testing; usually a fee is involved. (return to contents)

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