The Georgia Department of Community Health  Georgia hiv/aids take Project 
 
It's a Fact 
 
2011 
 
HIV/AIDS Community of Practice (CoP) Facts about HIV/AIDS among Hispanics/Latinos 
in Georgia 
 
Did you know? 
 One in five people infected with HIV/AIDS does not know it. The best advice is not to involve yourself in any activity that will put you at risk for HIV infection 
 Children who lose one or both of their parents to HIV/AIDS are more likely to: 
 Drop out of school 
 Be involved in crime or gang activities 
 Be forced into sexual/abusive activities, such as risky sexual behaviors or injected drug use, which increase their risk of contracting HIV or sexuallytransmitted diseases (STDs)* 
 Infected young adults are often unable to work and are thus unable to contribute to their families and communities 
 The initial average monthly cost for HIV treatment is about $2,100; treatment for the late stages start at $4,700 per month** 
 
What Can You Do? 
 Protect against HIV/AIDS infection by using proven prevention methods 
 Abstain from sex outside of a mutually faithful relationship with a partner who does not have the infection 
 Do not use injectable drugs, but if so, NEVER share any drug equipment and get professional help in ending the substance abuse habit 
 Practice safe sex. Use latex condoms every time you perform a sexual act. Get tested 
 Do not share toothbrushes, razors or other implements that could be contaminated with blood 
 Do not share needles for any reason, such as acupuncture, tattooing, ear piercing, etc. 
 
Sources: * Lyons, Miriam. "The Impact of HIV and AIDS on Children, Families and Communities: Risks and Realities of Childhood during the HIV Epidemic" United Nations Development Programme [UNDP], HIV and Development Programme, [2000], Issue Paper No. 30, and Clinical Pediatrics 33 (8): 498-502 as reported in National Network for Youth: Issue Brief #2. 
** Horn, Tim. "The lifetime cost of current human immunodeficiency virus care in the United States." AIDSmeds.com; Medical Care 44(11): 990-7, 2006. 
 
For more information on HIV/AIDS, contact the Office of Health Improvement's Georgia HIV/AIDS TAKE Project at (404) 657-6707 or 
visit www.hiv-aidstakesproject.org. 
Facilitating partnerships affecting HIV/AIDS in Georgia January 2011