Preventing HIV in the CNMI

May 19 was observed in the U.S. as National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. It is a day to help prevent HIV and AIDS, help those who are living with the disease, and encourage individuals to get tested for HIV in Asian and Pacific Islander communities.

Asians and Pacific Islanders comprise a small percentage of only 2 percent of all new HIV infections in the U.S. In the CNMI, HIV is still low in numbers, but high numbers of bacterial sexually transmitted infections like Chlamydia and gonorrhea shows the population is at risk. Locally, since 1997, of all the 33 HIV infections in the CNMI, Asians accounted for 58 percent and Pacific Islanders accounted for 42 percent of new HIV diagnoses. Gay or bisexual men account for 24 percent of the total HIV infections. In fact, the most recent infections in the CNMI come from this very vulnerable population.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting tested for HIV if:

• You are between the ages of 13-64, you should get an HIV test at least once in your lifetime as part of routine healthcare.
• You’ve had sex with someone whose sexual history you don’t know.
• You’ve had more than one partner since your last HIV test.
• You’ve been diagnosed with an STD, hepatitis or tuberculosis.
• You are pregnant.
• You are gay or bisexual. Some may benefit from even more frequent testing, depending on their risk.
• You’ve had sex with an HIV-positive partner.
• You’ve shared needles or works to inject drugs.
• You’ve exchanged sex for drugs or money.

Many factors can reduce someone’s chance of getting or transmitting HIV. Abstinence, or not having sex, is a sure way not to get infected. For people who are sexually active, there are more ways available today to prevent HIV. Choosing less risky sexual behaviors, taking medicines to prevent and treat HIV, and using condoms are good ways to reduce the risk of getting or transmitting HIV. Reducing the number of sexual partners can lower the chances that you will have a sex partner who will transmit HIV to you. Here other things that you can do to reduce your chances of getting infected:

• Use condoms the right way every time you have sex. 
• Reduce the number of people with whom you have unprotected sex. 
• Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, are medicines that you can take to prevent HIV infection. PrEP is recommended for anyone who is in a sexual relationship with an HIV-positive partner, anyone who does not always use condoms when having sex with partners known to be at risk for HIV, or gay or bisexual males who have been diagnosed with a STI within the past six months, and those who have injected drugs and shared needles.
• If you have a recent possible exposure to HIV and tested HIV negative, talk to your doctor right away (within three days) about post-exposure prophylaxis that can stop an infection. 
• Get tested and treated for other STDs and encourage your partners to do the same.
• If your partner is HIV positive, encourage your partner to get and stay on treatment. 

You can also reduce your risk for getting or transmitting HIV by not sharing needles or works. You’re at very high risk for getting or transmitting HIV if someone else uses your needles after you’ve used it. People use needles for many reasons—to inject drugs for medical purposes like insulin to treat diabetes, get high, change their appearance, or for tattoos and piercings. No matter the reason, never share your needles with anyone to lower your chances of getting or transmitting HIV.

If you test positive for HIV, the most important thing you can do is to be on antiretroviral therapy and take medication every day. ART is recommended for all people with HIV to stay healthy and prevent transmission to others. Your primary care provider can help with this. If you’re taking ART, follow your health care provider’s advice.

Testing for HIV is fast and easy. Knowing your HIV status gives you powerful information to help you take steps to keep you and your partner healthy.

If you would like more information on HIV testing, contact the Division of Public Health HIV/STD Resource & Treatment Center at 664-4050.

Melissa Camacho (Special to the Saipan Tribune)
Melissa Camacho is an HIV outreach worker at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.