Strengthening Public Health Systems and Services -

Care and treatment initiatives provide hope to adults and children living with HIV/AIDS through the provision of services that support quality of life, including life-saving antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and in collaboration with U.S. government partners, host governments, ministries of health, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, U.S.-based universities, and the private sector, CDC:Builds Capacity for HIV Care and Treatment
Assists countries to plan, implement, and evaluate effective strategies for HIV care and treatment.
Provides HIV care and treatment expertise to partners on management, standard operating procedures, human resources, physical infrastructure, training, laboratory services, monitoring and evaluation, community services, linkage with HIV and other programs, promotion of prevention, and sustainability.
Develops, disseminates, and provides training on global palliative care and ART tools, guidelines, and policies.
Bolsters Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission Programs and Pediatric Services
Provides technical assistance for scale-up of prevention of mother-to- child transmission (PMTCT) and pediatric activities and linking PMTCT and pediatric HIV programs with other services.
Contributes to the scientific body of knowledge on global PMTCT and pediatrics and develop and disseminate tools, guidelines, and policies to translate research for improved program implementation in resource-constrained countries.
Conducts public health evaluations to promote best practices, address barriers, and respond to emerging scientific issues for PMTCT and pediatric HIV service delivery.
Strengthens TB/HIV Programs
Provides technical assistance for scale-up of TB/HIV activities, including HIV testing and counseling, referral, and care and treatment among TB patients.
Helps countries develop national and regional guidelines for HIV-related TB diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Strengthens awareness and implementation of basic TB infection control in HIV care and treatment settings.
Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, and 13 African CountriesEarly Infant Diagnosis: Left unidentified and untreated, studies show that 50-60% of HIV-infected infants die by age two. Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) by dried blood spot (DBS) gives HIV-infected infants early access to appropriate care and treatment. With the simple prick of an infant’s heel, toe, or finger, whole blood is placed onto a card to dry, creating samples which are stable for relatively long periods without refrigeration, and are light and simple to transport. CDC has worked with partners to implement and expand EID services in 15 countries.
UgandaBasic Care Package: CDC led operational research conducted in rural Uganda and elsewhere that integrates a package of interventions (Basic Care Package) to minimize the susceptibility of HIV persons to common opportunistic infections and unsanitary water. This research demonstrated that this integrated package can help reduce deaths, hospital visits, and illnesses, including malaria and diarrhea, among HIV-positive people and their families. The Basic Care Package is a low-cost, evidence-based way to promote health and reduce HIV/AIDS infections. The package includes insecticide-treated mosquito nets; water vessel, filter cloth, and bleach solution to disinfect water; information on how to obtain HIV family counseling, HIV testing services; and cotrimoxazole -- an antibiotic that reduces opportunistic infections among HIV positive persons. After six months of implementing the Basic Care program in Uganda, CDC found that over 90 percent of recipients used cotrimoxazole prophylaxis every day and over 60 percent of the respondents used the water vessel. CDC is also now providing Basic Care Packages in other countries in the region.
ThailandPediatric HIV Treatment: CDC helped develop teams of physicians, nurses, counselors, pharmacists, and persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in 12 community hospitals in Thailand’s Chiang Rai province. For the few pediatricians skilled in providing antiretroviral therapy (ART), the multidisciplinary approach is a way to extend their reach and reduce their workload. Although almost all HIV-infected children in Thailand can receive treatment through the national ART program, care networks face challenges such as pain management, stigma, and poor transportation systems marked by winding mountain roads. But thanks to the collaboration between specialists and the local community, these problems are being addressed. The comprehensive team approach and two inexpensive plastic devices that help children stick with ART -- wrist watches that beep every 12 hours, and 7-day pillboxes -- are resulting in high adherence rates. The rate-more than 95 percent in most patients -- is better than that found in most developed countries.
Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and ThailandTuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death among HIV-infected individuals, and one of the most common opportunistic infections. The prevalence of HIV infection among patients in TB clinical settings is high-- up to 80 percent in some countries. In many countries, including Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Thailand CDC has worked with partners to support the expansion of provider-initiated testing and counseling among TB patients, and collaborated with international partners to develop and disseminate protocols, training and policy to improve the integration of HIV and TB service care.

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A Career with the CDC Global AIDS Program

For a personally fulfilling and professionally rewarding career that makes a difference in peoples' lives, join the CDC Global AIDS Program.Apply Now.

NEW: GAP COUNTRY DIRECTOR VACANCIES FOR 11 LOCATIONS
(Botswana (2), Caribbean Regional, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Guyana, India, Lesotho, Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda, and Ukraine)
Epidemiologist, GS-0601-15 (Overseas)Announcement #s: HHS-CDC-T3-2009-0817 Internal (for federal employees)HHS-CDC-D3-2009-0504 External (for non-federal employees)
Medical Officer, GS-0602-15 (Overseas) Announcement #s: HHS-CDC-T3-2009-0816 - Internal (for federal employees)HHS-CDC-D3-2009-0503 - External (for non-federal employees)
Serves as Program Director for all Global AIDS Program (GAP) activities in the country of assignment. Additional duties of the incumbent are to initiate, conduct, and coordinate complex HIV/AIDS medical epidemiologic program activities in the country of assignment concerned with the reduction of HIV transmission. Plans, develops, implements, evaluates and reports on project goals and objectives through the Country Operational Plan (COP). Coordinates all scientific activities and provides leadership, direction and support to the efforts of the staff. Designs and overseas implementation of targeted evaluations of new and ongoing HIV/AIDS prevention, care and/or treatment initiatives. The incumbent is responsible for developing protocols, analyzing study data through statistical methods, disseminating study results through scientific journals, periodic reports and public presentations. Incumbent is responsible for supervising a staff of medical epidemiologists, public health advisors, supervisory medical research technicians, research nurses, social workers, research assistants, and support staff. Incumbent provides leadership, direction and technical expertise to universities, medical institutions, non-governmental organizations, the Ministry of Public Health and other participating agencies. Represents GAP, NCHHSTP, CDC, and the US Government at a variety of international forums with key US constituencies. Serves as primary liaison with the Ambassador as representative of the Office of Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC) for all PEPFAR issues. (Closes 08/27/2009)
Note: This is a single announcement posting and not part of the open continuous. You must apply to the above numbers by the closing date in order to be considered for the current GAP Country Director vacancies. Non U.S. citizens and Commissioned Corps officers that would like to be considered may email current CV/resume to LaTrice Fowler at guu5@cdc.gov. Please indicate all countries of interest in your correspondence.
OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR OVERSEAS POSITIONS:
Note: These vacancies are advertised through ongoing, "open, continuous announcements" intended for all CDC programs and positions advertising overseas vacancies. Be sure to indicate the countries and pay grades for which you'd want to apply in your application online.
Epidemiologist, GS-0601-13/14/15 (Overseas)Announcement #s: HHS-CDC-T3-2009-0305 Internal (for federal employees)HHS-CDC-D3-2009-0142 External (for non-federal employees)
Medical Officer, GS-0602-13/14/15 (Direct - Hire) Announcement #s: HHS-CDC-T3-2009-0308 - internal (for federal employees)HHS-CDC-D3-2009-0144 - external (for non-federal employees)
Responsibilities: The Epidemiologist/Medical Officer will represent and work as an integral member of HHS/CDC CDC Global AIDS Program (GAP) in the country of assignment. The main duties of the incumbent are to initiate, conduct, and coordinate complex HIV/AIDS program activities in collaboration with U. S. government partners, local government and non-governmental, multinational, and bilateral organizations. This position often provides epidemiological/medical advice and consultation serving as a national and internationally recognized expert in HIV care, treatment, prevention and related programs in support of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Locations for Medical Officer/Epidemiologist 13/14: Botswana, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe.
Health Scientist-Lab, GS-601-13/14 (Overseas)Announcement #sHHS-CDC-T3-2009-0379 Internal (for federal employees)HHS-CDC-D3-2009-0178 External (for non-federal employees)
Responsibilities: The position serves as Senior Laboratory Program Advisor to the CDC Country Director, CDC Global AIDS Program (GAP) in the country of assignment. As an expert in clinical and public health laboratory science, the incumbent provides guidance on policy and programs affecting public health and clinical laboratory services provision for HIV/AIDS/STI/TB prevention, surveillance, treatment, and care programs in support of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Locations: DRC, Haiti, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Malawi
Public Health Advisor, GS-0685-13/14 (Overseas)Announcement #sHHS-CDC-T3-2009-0310 Internal (for federal employees)HHS-CDC-D3-2009-0140 External (for non-federal employees)
Responsibilities: The incumbent may serve as Administrative Director of Operations (ADO), the principal management and administrative person for all CDC Global AIDS Program (GAP) program activities for either the country or remote field station location within the country of assignment. The incumbent acts with full authority in the absence of the Country Director on all matters involving non-scientific program operations and field activities. The incumbent is also responsible for providing program and operational support to the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Technical Public Health Advisor positions: These have responsibility for the administration, planning implementation and management of one or more comprehensive prevention program elements. The incumbent will develop prevention strategies, identify priorities, plan, and implement disease prevention programs. The position may also supervise and monitor program implementation.
Locations: Cote d’Ivoire, Botswana, Kenya, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda
For more information on these positions or help with USAJobs.gov you may contact La'Trice Fowler at guu5@cdc.gov.
st modified: August 13, 2009Content Source:Global AIDS Program (GAP)National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention

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Oral Sex and Reducing the Risk of HIV Transmission

The consequences of HIV infection are life-long. If treatment is not initiated in a timely manner, HIV can be extremely serious and life threatening. However, there are steps you can take to lower the risk of getting HIV from oral sex.
Generally, the use of a physical barrier during oral sex can reduce the risk of transmission of HIV and other STDs. A latex or plastic condom may be used on the penis to reduce the risk of oral-penile transmission. If your partner is a female, a cut-open condom or a dental dam can be used between your mouth and the vagina. Similarly, regardless of the sex of your partner, if your mouth will come in contact with your partner’s anus, a cut-open condom or dental dam can be used between your mouth and the anus.
At least one scientific article has suggested that plastic food wrap may be used as a barrier to protect against herpes simplex virus during oral-vaginal or oral-anal sex. However, there are no data regarding the effectiveness of plastic food wrap in decreasing transmission of HIV and other STDs in this manner and it is not manufactured or approved by the FDA for this purpose.

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Oral Sex and the Risk of HIV Transmission

The risk of HIV transmission from an infected partner through oral sex is much less than the risk of HIV transmission from anal or vaginal sex. Measuring the exact risk of HIV transmission as a result of oral sex is very difficult. Additionally, because most sexually active individuals practice oral sex in addition to other forms of sex, such as vaginal and/or anal sex, when transmission occurs, it is difficult to determine whether or not it occurred as a result of oral sex or other more risky sexual activities. Finally, several co-factors may increase the risk of HIV transmission through oral sex, including: oral ulcers, bleeding gums, genital sores, and the presence of other STDs. What is known is that HIV has been transmitted through fellatio, cunnilingus, and anilingus.
In addition to HIV, other STDs can be transmitted through oral sex with an infected partner. Examples of these STDs include herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, genital warts (HPV), intestinal parasites (amebiasis), and hepatitis A.

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Oral Sex is a Common Practice

Oral sex involves giving or receiving oral stimulation (i.e., sucking or licking) to the penis, the vagina, and/or the anus. Fellatio is the technical term used to describe oral contact with the penis. Cunnilingus is the technical term which describes oral contact with the vagina. Anilingus (sometimes called “rimming”) refers to oral-anal contact. Studies indicate that oral sex is commonly practiced by sexually active male-female and same-gender couples of various ages, including adolescents. Although there are only limited national data about how often adolescents engage in oral sex, some data suggest that many adolescents who engage in oral sex do not consider it to be “sex;” therefore they may use oral sex as an option to experience sex while still, in their minds, remaining abstinent. Moreover, many consider oral sex to be a safe or no-risk sexual practice. In a national survey of teens conducted for The Kaiser Family Foundation, 26% of sexually active 15- to 17-year-olds surveyed responded that one “cannot become infected with HIV by having unprotected oral sex,” and an additional 15% didn’t know whether or not one could become infected in that manner.

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Oral Sex Is Not Risk Free

Like all sexual activity, oral sex carries some risk of HIV transmission when one partner is known to be infected with HIV, when either partner’s HIV status is not known, and/or when one partner is not monogamous or injects drugs. Even though the risk of transmitting HIV through oral sex is much lower than that of anal or vaginal sex, numerous studies have demonstrated that oral sex can result in the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Abstaining from oral, anal, and vaginal sex altogether or having sex only with a mutually monogamous, uninfected partner are the only ways that individuals can be completely protected from the sexual transmission of HIV. However, by using condoms or other barriers between the mouth and genitals, individuals can reduce their risk of contracting

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Are you at risk of contracting HIV?

Do you (or have you ever) have unprotected sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal or oral)?
Do you (or have you ever) share needles or equipment for injecting drugs?
Do you (or have you ever) use unsterilized needles for tattooing, skin piercing or acupuncture?
Do you experience (or have you ever experienced) occupational exposure to HIV in a health care setting?
If you have answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may be at risk of contracting HIV.
HIV/AIDS can affect anyone in society, regardless of their age, gender, sexual orientation or socio-economic status. However, stigma, discrimination, and violation of human rights make socially and economically marginalized groups and populations even more vulnerable to infection.
The Government of Canada, through the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada, is committed to developing discrete approaches to addressing the epidemic for eight specific target populations:
Gay men
Injecting drug users
Aboriginal Peoples
Prison Inmates
Youth at risk
Women at risk
People from countries where HIV is endemic
People living with HIV
The population‑specific approach results in evidence‑based, culturally appropriate responses that are better able to address the realities, which contribute to infection and poor health outcomes for the target population

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Is HIV and AIDS the Same Thing?

HIV is the virus which damages the body's immune system. A damaged immune system leaves our body at risk for those illnesses and infections said to be AIDS defining. Acquiring one of these infections means a person is diagnosed with AIDS. A person can be infected for years without having AIDS. Having HIV infection does not mean you have AIDS. Simply put, HIV and AIDS are not the same thing.

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What is HIV AIDS?

To answer the question what is HIV AIDS, we have to start early in the epidemic. In 1985, scientists discovered the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and with it the question what is aids was answered. HIV is a virus that is transmitted from person to person through the exchange of body fluids such as blood, semen, breast milk and vaginal secretions. Sexual contact is the most common way to spread HIV AIDS, but it can also be transmitted by sharing needles when injecting drugs, or during childbirth and breastfeeding. As HIV AIDS reproduces, it damages the body's immune system and the body becomes susceptible to illness and infection. There is no known cure for HIV infection.

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