AIDS and African American Women

Written By: David Pryor, MD

African American communities are being ravaged and attacked by an epidemic of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). At issue is our lifestyle. Although a number of AIDS cases can be attributed to Injection Drug Use (IDU), too many of us – whether gay, straight, male or female – continue to have unprotected sex with multiple partners or people we barely know.

The AIDS rate among Black women is three times as high as that among Latino women and 18 times as high as that among White women. Today Black women make up more than half of all women who have died of AIDS.

African Americans make up 13 percent of the population, yet we now account for 41 percent of all AIDS cases in the United States. The Harvard AIDS Institute estimates that by the year 2000 more than half of all our country’s AIDS cases will be within the African American community.

What is HIV?

HIV is the abbreviation for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV is the virus (infection) that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), a disease that can destroy one’s life. Human immunodeficiency virus infection occurs when infected cells in blood, semen, or other body fluids are spread from one person to another.

HIV infection attacks and breaks down the body’s immune system which normally produces white blood cells and antibodies that fight against viruses and bacteria. The infection-fighting cells are called CD4+T-cell lymphocytes. When the T-cell lymphocytes are destroyed, the body’s immune system is no longer able to effectively protect the body against diseases. The infected person is more open or susceptible to illnesses that usually do not affect healthy persons.

Dr. David Satcher, the Surgeon General of the United States, states that there are 33.4 million HIV-infected people around the world, and 665,000 in the United States. It is estimated that 50 percent of all new HIV infections in the United States are among people under 25, the majority of these young people are infected sexually. Nearly half (44 percent) of the HIV infections in the age group 13 to 24 were reported among young females and over half (63 percent) were among African Americans. It is important to remember that HIV can be present in the body for up to twelve years without producing any outward signs of illness.

How Can You Become Infected?

Women, because of the structure of the female genital tract, run a higher risk of contracting the AIDS virus from a man than men do from women. That’s why the disease is increasingly transmitted through heterosexual activity and is claiming the lives of African American women at such an alarming rate. Common ways of acquiring HIV infection are:

Having unprotected (without a condom) sex with someone who has HIV.
Sharing needles and/or syringes used in IDU (injection drug use).
A pregnant woman with HIV can give it to her baby during childbirth or while breastfeeding (this does not always happen, however).
Blood transfusions. Since 1985, however, people have seldom received HIV from an infusion of blood or blood-products because better safeguards are practiced against such occurrences.

What is AIDS?

AIDS is a late stage of HIV infection, and is present when the body becomes overpowered by one or more opportunistic infections. These opportunistic infections ultimately cause death because the body cannot defend itself against them.

Also, if a person’s CD4+T-cell count drops below 200, he or she is considered to have AIDS. A healthy person usually has from 800 to 1,200 CD4+T cells.

Common Questions and Answers

"Can I become infected with HIV from "French" or open-mouth kissing?

There is the potential for infection with blood during "French kissing" if either partner has gum disease or there are other conditions when blood is present. Health care experts recommend against engaging in this activity with an HIV infected person.

"Can I become infected with HIV from oral sex?"

It can happen, but not as likely as infection through anal or vaginal sex. Condoms and other health protective barriers should be used to prevent contact with body fluids.

"Can birth control pills prevent a person from getting HIV infection?"

No. Birth control pills do not protect against HIV infection or other STDs.

"I have anal sex with my boyfriend so I won’t get pregnant. Is this a safeguard against AIDS?"

No. Anal Intercourse with an infected partner is one of the most common ways that HIV is contracted. Anal sex is very risky whether you are male or female.

Empowerment Points

AIDS is the second leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 25 and 44.

You can decrease your chances of infection with HIV and other STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) by using a latex condom regularly and correctly every time you have sex.

Teenagers should learn that alcohol and drugs can cause them to make decisions and do things that can put them at risk for HIV, AIDS, and other STDs.

AIDS is claiming and destroying the lives of millions of people. We need to be wise and informed about HIV, AIDS, and STDs for our own sakes and for those we care about.

If you or your partner can’t or won’t discuss safe sex, then you should not have sex with that person. After all, it is your health and life at risk.

References:

CDC (Centers For Disease Control and Prevention – HIV/AIDS Prevention, July 1997.
CDC UPDATE – Young People At Risk – Epidemic Shifts Further toward Young Women and Minorities. September 1998.
HRSA (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Health resources And Services Administration, HIV/AIDS in Racial and Ethnic Minorities, February 1999.