Dear Counsellor:

What are some of the early symptoms of HIV-infection? Can a person transmit HIV if they are not showing symptoms?

Mark

Dear Mark:

Many people who are infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, have no symptoms at all, and may not know that they have the virus.

Some persons may develop mild, temporary flu-like symptoms that disappear after a few days or weeks following infection. Others may have persistent swollen glands.

All persons with HIV infection, whether or not they have symptoms, can transmit HIV to others through sex (oral, anal and vaginal) or through their infected blood.

Women infected with HIV can also transmit the virus to their babies during pregnancy or during birth. Remember, you cannot tell if a person is infected or not infected by looking at them or by any illness that they may have. It is only through a special blood test that a person can know if he or she is infected with HIV.

Is night fever an STD?

Dear Counsellor:

I have night fever and someone told me it could be transmitted sexually. Can night fever ever be considered a sexually transmitted infection? I remember having night fever as a child. As a matter of fact, several of my childhood friends had night fever.

B.B

Dear B.B

Oral herpes or 'night fever', as it commonly called, can only be considered a sexually transmitted infection if it is acquired through oral genital sex. Herpes simplex virus from active genital sores may be spread to the mouth area of the partner under these circumstances.

Most primary cases of oral herpes are seen in young children. Children get this form of herpes from the active cold sores of adults, and older children who care for or play with the youngsters.

Direct contact, often momentarily, such as quick kiss, is all that is necessary to pass the virus. Most cases of oral herpes are believed to be reactivating of latent infections that were acquired in childhood.

However, new primary cases of oral herpes (night fever) in adults do occur also.

For more information on condom use, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections call the AIDS/STD Helpline at 967-3830, 967-3764 or toll-free at 1888-991-4444 or write to AIDS Affair, c/o The STAR, 7 North Street Kingston.