Where are the business offices of Support Ministries located?
Currently the business offices of Support Ministries are located at:

28 Delaware Terrace
Albany, NY 12209

(518) 427-2463

What is the basic criteria needed to be considered for one of the Support Ministries Programs?
To be considered for admission to one of Support Ministries programs you must be a US citizen living with HIV/AIDS. In order to be considered for residency all appropriate paperwork must be completed. Please contact the Director of Housing Services at (518) 427-2463.

What does it mean that Support Ministries is a not-for-profit business?
Not-for-profit means that Support Ministries does not make any money for their efforts. Any money which is donated/generated is directly returned into the programs to support daily and future projects.

What makes Support Ministries different than other Upstate NY not-for-profit groups who are also in the practice of HIV/AIDS related advocacy?
Support Ministries has various differences from other non-for-profits. The most distinct difference is that Support Ministries’ Ahana House facility is the ONLY New York State licensed adult home for people living with HIV/AIDS.

 

Does Support Ministries Accept Donations?
YES! Your tax-deductible donation of cash or goods is needed to help us to maintain our mission. Donations can be sent to:
Support Ministries
28 Delaware Terrace
Albany, NY 12209

What is HIV?
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency) is a virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), a health condition in which a person is affected by a series of diseases because of poor immunity. HIV by itself is not an illness and does not instantly lead to AIDS. An HIV + person can lead a healthy life for many years.

What is AIDS?
(Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), AIDS is a health condition that results from the deficiency in the body’s immunity following HIV infection. HIV attacks the human body by breaking down its immune system that is meant to fight disease. Over a period of time, the immune system weakens and the body loses its natural ability to fight diseases.

How can I get HIV/AIDS?
Unprotected Sex: Sexual intercourse with an infected person without the proper use of a condom can result in HIV infection. The infection can be transmitted through vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
Sharing of Needles: Sharing needles or syringes used by an infected person, either for injecting drugs, drawing blood, or for any other purpose involving piercing, can lead to HIV infection. Instruments used for tattooing also can carry a small risk of infection.
HIV Infected Blood: Transfusion of infected blood can lead to HIV infection.
Mother to Child: An HIV positive mother can transmit the virus to the child during the pregnancy or birth. Breast milk can also transmit the virus.
Improperly Sterilized Hospital Tools: Surgical Devices like syringes, scalpels, and instruments which have been used on an infected person, and reused on another person without proper sterilization, can result in transmitting HIV infection.

How is HIV Diagnosed?
In the early stages of the infection, HIV often causes no symptoms and the infection can only be diagnosed by testing a person’s blood. Two tests are available to diagnose the HIV infection. One test looks for the presence of antibodies produced by the body in response to HIV and the other looks for the virus itself.

What are the symptoms of HIV Infection?
Many people do not develop any symptoms when they first become infected with HIOV.
Some people however, get a flu-like illness within three to six weeks after exposure to the virus. This illness, called Acute HIV Syndrome, May include a fever, headache, tiredness, nausea, diarrhea, and enlarged lymph nodes. These symptoms usually disappear within a week to a month and are often mistaken for another viral infection.

What are the later symptoms of HIV/AIDS?

Lack of energy

Weight loss

Frequent fevers and sweats

A thick, whitish coating of the tongue or mouth (thrush) that is caused by a yeast infection and is sometimes accompanied by a sore throat

Severe or recurring vaginal yeast infections

Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease or severe and frequent infections like herpes zoster

Periods of extreme and unexplained fatigue that may be combined with headaches, lightheadedness, and/or dizziness

Rapid loss of more than 10 pounds or weight that is not due to increased physical exercise or dieting

Bruising more easily than normal

Long-lasting bouts of diarrhea

Swelling or hardening of glands located in the throat, armpit, or groin

Periods of continued, deep, dry coughing

Increasing shortness of breath

The appearance of discolored or purplish growths on the skin or inside the mouth

Unexplained bleeds from growths on the skin, from mucous membranes, or from any opening in the body

Recurring or unusual skin rashes

Severe numbness or pain in the hands or feet, the loss of muscle control and reflex, paralysis or loss of muscular strength

An altered state of consciousness, personality change, or mental deterioration

Children may grow slowly or fall sick frequently. HIV positive persons are also found to be more vulnerable to some cancers.

Should I Get Tested?
In you are leading a promiscuous life, having sex with multiple partners, have had unsafe sex in the past, have shared needles for drug use, have had an unchecked blood transfusion. Then you should have yourself tested for HIV.

Is There Treatment Against HIV and AIDS?
There is no conclusive treatment to eliminate HIV from the body. However, timely treatment of opportunistic infections can keep one healthy for years.

During the last decade, researchers have developed powerful drugs that can check the replication of the virus at various levels. However, they do not permanently cure one of HIV. Through many positive persons and caregivers have welcomed these drugs, others have experiences serious side effects. They are also very expensive and are out of reach for the majority of infected people. Prices have shown a steep fall over the last 6 months.

What should one do if found HIV positive?

Consult a clinician experienced in treating HIV/AIDS

Protect your sex partner(s) from HIV by following safe-sex guidelines.

Inform sex partner(s) who may also be infected.

Do not share needles.

Get psychological support from a counselor and/or join a support group for people with HIV/

Get information and social and legal support from AIDS service organizations.

Don’t share you HIV status with people who do not need to know. Only tell people you can count on for support. Thank about whom do you want to share your HIV status with.

Maintain a strong immune system with a healthy lifestyle and regular medical exams.

Consider using antiretroviral therapies that may slow the progress of the infection in consultation with a qualified physician.

How can HIV/AIDS be prevented?

Because there is no effective vaccine and no cure for HIV, the only way to protect oneself is prevention.

People should either abstain from having sex or use latex condoms, during oral, anal, or vaginal sex. Only condoms made of latex should be used, and whenever necessary only water-based lubricants should be used. People who are allergic to latex can use polyurethane condoms.

Although some laboratory evidence shows that spermicides can kill HIV, there is no conclusive evidence if it can prevent transmission.

The risk of HIV transmission from a pregnant woman to her baby is significantly reduced if she takes antiretroviral drugs in consultation with her doctor and the newborn baby takes it for the first six weeks of life.

Having a sexually transmitted disease (STD) can increase manifold a person’s chances of getting HIV through sexual contact. It is necessary to treat STD's as soon as infection is suspected.

Who else can I contact and where could I find additional information about HIV/AIDS related issues?
For additional resources in regard to HIV/AIDS please visit the sites or call the organizations listen or our LINKS page.