HIV/AIDS

1 out of 5 people who have HIV do not know they're infected.

HIV is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV weakens the immune system and makes it harder for the body to defend itself from disease. If HIV weakens a person's immune system beyond a certain point, that person may develop AIDS, or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

How can I protect myself?

 Beyond abstaining from sexual intercourse, it is important to know the HIV status of your partner so that you can protect youself. Condoms greatly reduce the likelihood of passing HIV from one person to another. Having another sexually transmitted disease (STD) makes it easier to spread or become infected with HIV. Many STDs don't have any symptoms, so you should be tested for them on a regular basis.

If you use needles, you should always use a new, sterile needle or syringe for each injection. Never share needles with anyone. 

Pregnant women should always be tested for HIV. If a woman is HIV-positive, there are many ways to prevent the baby from being infected.

People can be infected with HIV for a long time and not have any symptoms. For this reason, it is important to be tested for the virus and know your status. 

How does someone get HIV?

HIV is transmitted through certain bodily fluids, the most common being blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk. You cannot become infected with HIV through saliva, tears, sweat, nasal fluid, vomit, urine, feces, or bug bites.

In the United States, the most common way that people get HIV is through sexual intercourse or sharing a needle with an infected person. It is also possible to become infected through oral sex or for a pregnant women who has HIV to pass it on to her baby.

What are the symptoms of HIV?

You can be infected with HIV for years and never have any symptoms, so it is a good idea to be tested regularly. Some people develop a flu-like illness soon after they become infected. Over time, someone who has HIV that is untreated can develop symptoms such as weight loss, diarrhea, fever, swollen glands, and cough and shortness of breath.

I think I was exposed to HIV... What should I do?

If you had unprotected sex or shared a needle with someone who might have HIV, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of becoming infected. Go to a hospital or clinic right away. If the doctor thinks you need it, you may get a standard four-week program known as PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis. The treatment uses HIV drugs that come as pills. PEP should start within a few hours after a possible exposure and needs to be started within 72 hours (3 days) to work. It is important to continue seeing a doctor during and immediately after the four weeks of treatment. Taking these steps can reduce your likelihood of infection by about 80%.

Have you been tested?

You can get tested for HIV at your regular clinic or doctor's office. There are also STD clinics where you can get tested anonymously and for free. Because many people who have HIV are not aware of it, it is important to be tested regularly if you are sexually active, especially if you have a new or more than one partner.

There are a few different ways to test for HIV. A test can involve either taking a small sample of blood or scraping the inside of your cheek for skin cells. Depending on the test, you can know your status within 30 minutes or in 1-2 weeks. 

What happens if I'm positive?

Having HIV is not a death sentence. With new medications and treatment, people who are HIV-positive are living longer and healthier lives. Although there is no cure for HIV or AIDS, there is treatment and support available to keep you health and prevent you from passing it on to others. If you find out that you have HIV, it is important to see a doctor right away so that you can start the appropriate treatment.