AIDS Awareness
On today, December 1, we marked World AIDS Day. Health Services encourages our USM community to protect themselves against HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), seek testing and know that there is treatment for the virus.
We are a judgment-free zone and are here to support you. To that end, we humbly offer up information:
Maine
- There are approximately 1800 people living with HIV in Maine and about 50 new cases each year.
Protect Yourself
- Where is HIV? Semen (cum), vaginal fluids, anal mucus, blood and breast milk.
- Where is it not? HIV is not in saliva. Sharing food or drinks or utensils, or kissing, does not spread HIV. Blood donations do not have HIV. All donated blood is screened for infections, including HIV.
- How do I get HIV? Vaginal or anal sex, sharing needles or syringes for shooting drugs, piercing tattoos, and even getting HIV-infected semen (cum), blood or vaginal fluids into open cuts or sores on your body.
- Unprotected sex is the most common way to get HIV. Using condoms or dental dams EVERY time you have sex can protect you and your partners. We have many condoms here at Health Services. Come get some! We love giving out condoms.
- If you are at higher risk for getting HIV, Health Services can offer PEP and PrEP treatment that can protect you from HIV.
Test Yourself and Your Partners
- Health Services offers both blood and free oral swab tests for HIV.
- Your results are confidential as described by law.
- We want to support our students in health! There is no judgment!
Treat Yourself and Your Partners
- If you do test positive for HIV, Health Services can connect you with local healthcare providers.
FMI
Call us at 207-780-5411 or scan the following code:
Samar Post Jamali, FNP