• HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
• HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)

It can take years for an HIV-infected person to develop AIDS. When a person becomes infected with HIV, the virus begins to attack his or her immune system, which is the body's defense against illness. As a result, that person becomes more susceptible to disease and infection. When his or her body loses the ability to fight diseases, that person is diagnosed with AIDS. There is no cure for HIV infection. Antiretroviral drugs can slow down the disease progression.

 

 

HIV spreads through contact with blood, sexual fluids (semen, pre-cum, vaginal fluids), or the breast milk of an HIV positive person.

Transmission can occur through:

• Unprotected sex (sex without a condom), that involves anal, vaginal or oral penetration
• The sharing of used syringes or needles
• Maternal transfer from an HIV positive woman to her child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding (The chance of having a healthy baby can be greatly increased with proper medical care during and after pregnancy).

It is also possible to become infected with HIV through a blood transfusion, although this is now very rare. Blood transfusions and medical procedures in the U.S. are safe. Giving blood is completely risk-free. Although there have been some cases of HIV transmission through blood transfusions in the past, tests have been in place for several years to make sure that the blood you get in the hospital contains no HIV.

HIV cannot be passed on from one person to another through casual contact. There is no risk of infection when we share everyday items such as food, dishes, utensils, clothes, beds and toilets with an HIV positive individual. The virus is not spread from contact with sweat, tears, saliva, or a casual kiss from an infected person (deep, or "French" kissing is not advised). People do not become infected from eating food prepared by an HIV-infected person. People have not become infected with HIV through insect bites.

Anyone can become infected with HIV regardless of age, gender, sexual identity (straight, gay or bisexual), financial status, and racial/ethnic identity. Your risk comes from what activities you do, and who you do it with - that is, how likely it is that the person you have sex or share needles with is infected. But even if you are part of a community with a high infection rate, you can avoid getting HIV. Preventing infection involves reducing your risks by thinking, planning and follow-through. Often it means talking about things that may make you uncomfortable. It can help to "practice" talking with people you can trust or who are going through the same thing.

It is important that you consider all the risks, consequences and benefits of any choice you make that may impact your health. Only you can decide what risks are worth taking and what risks are not.

Using a new, clean needle is the best protection against the virus if you are injecting drugs (including medications or steriods). Some states have needle exchange programs (where you can get free, clean needles) or needles for sale in drugstores.

If you are planning on getting any body art, it is important that you go to a reputable establishment with qualified professionals that use new sterile equipment for every procedure.

Latex condoms ("rubbers") prevent HIV infection. Using a condom may not always be easy, but it does prevent the tranmission of STIs. When used right, condoms seldom break, tear or slip.

Dental dams stop HIV when used for oral sex on a woman or for oral-anal sex. Dental dams are latex squares available in medical supply stores and from some adult shops. Be sure the dam covers the entire vulva (clitoris and vaginal opening) and that you hold it at both edges. Be careful not to turn the dam inside-out while you use it. If you don't have a dental dam, you can improvise and use plastic wrap or cut a condom in half.

The "female condom" is a plastic sheath that women can insert in their vaginas and use for protection against HIV. The female condom can be inserted up to 8 hours before sex, has rings at both ends to hold it in place. This kind of condom takes practice to use, and is more expensive than a latex condom. Some men have also used the female condom for anal sex, though it has not been tested or approved for this use.

In the US, the CDC estimates that up to 21% of individuals living with HIV are unaware of their infection. Moreover, those who are unaware of their infection are more likely to transmit than those who are aware. It can be scary to consider, but taking the HIV test is one of the best ways to stay healthy. Finding out that you have HIV can be an important step toward taking care of your health and planning for the future. Learning that you are HIV negative, too, can help you to figure out how to stay that way. Testing is voluntary, confidential and can even be anonymous. In all testing situations counseling is offered before and after the test.

Standard HIV tests look for HIV antibodies, which are proteins the body makes after HIV enters the blood. It can take up to three months to make enough antibodies to be detectable on the test, although in most cases, infection can be detected in four to six weeks following infection. If the test is taken too soon after exposure to infection during the "window period", the test results may be negative for HIV antibodies. HIV can still be transmitted during the window period. There are different kinds of blood tests, including a new test that can give you quicker results and tests that look for the virus instead of antibodies.

In many locations, public clinics offer a free nominal, non-nominal or anonymous test. Private clinics, hospitals and medical facilities may also offer testing, please check with your local healthcare provider for testing locations near you. In all cases testing is confidential.

People with HIV or AIDS can do a number of things to stay healthy, which is why it is important to know your status. People who test positive for HIV infection can stay healthy for many years. Although there is no cure for HIV infection, antiretroviral drugs can slow down the disease progression. There are medications that can slow down virus activity and help maintain your immune system. See your doctor so that he or she can watch your health closely. Always use care not to pass HIV onto others.

If you have any question or want additional information, ask your healthcare provider or contact your local health department. In Canada you can also visit the Public Health Agency HIV/AIDS website or the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE). In the US you can also call the National AIDS Hotline at 1-800-342-AIDS (1-800-342-2437) to talk with an HIV specialist. They can give you quick, private answers at any time, day or night. An AIDS service organization near you can also provide information, education and the help you may need.

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