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Smart Rigs, Safe Injection, HIV/HEP Protection

An infectious disease is a disease that can be passed from one person to another. In other words, you can catch it from someone else, and if you already have the disease, you can give it to someone else. The incredibly small particles--viruses--that cause HIV disease and hepatitis are passed along in blood and bodily fluids, such as semen ("cum"), from one person to another. Both HIV and hepatitis can be life-threatening diseases. But having one of these diseases does not necessarily mean you will get the other. If you are an HIV positive IV drug user, you can protect yourself from getting infected with hepatitis by simply not sharing your equipment. In doing so, you will also protect your friends and associates from catching HIV from you. U.S. health authorities for infectious diseases (Center for Disease Control) used to recommend bleaching and rinsing your syringe as an effective method to prevent the spread of disease. No more. This technique is not an adequate prevention strategy as bleach does not reach every part of your syringe, and simply bleaching your syringe does nothing to make dirty cookers, cotton and water safe.

The most current recommendation for preventing the spread of these two diseases--HIV and hepatitis--through your rigs is to not share injection equipment or water. Period. Instead, exchange your dirty rigs for clean ones FREE at the Needle Exchange van. The van is available Monday through Friday, 11AM to 2PM at S. 14th and G Streets near St. Leo's Parish. You can also call their mobile phone at 381-5229 to arrange for an off-site equipment exchange.

Here's another thing you can do to help yourself stay healthy. If you are an IV drug user, get vaccinated against hepatitis. The vaccination is FREE but only until January. You are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this free service, as hepatitis is more contagious than HIV. The vaccination is given in the upper arm muscle, and available Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11AM to 1PM in the hospitality kitchen at St. Leo's at 14th and Yakima Streets. It is also available Mondays and Wednesdays at the Health Department, 3629 S. "D" Street (corner of S. 37th and Pacific near Puget Sound Hospital) from 1:30 to 3PM.

A third thing to remember concerns condoms. If you protect yourself and your friends by using clean injection equipment and by getting vaccinated, you can still get or pass on HIV and hepatitis through the exchange of bodily fluids during sex. Using a a new latex condom each time you have sex will protect you and your partners. Look for more details about making sex enjoyable and save in the next issue. And as always, free condoms are available at PCAF. Instructions on how to use them are available from PCAF's Community Programs staff (just ask) or from a booklet (Does your Man Shoot Dope?) in PCAF's Resource Center next to our reception area. Feel free to help yourself.