What is HIV?

HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

HIV is a member of a group of viruses called retroviruses.

HIV infects human cells and uses the energy and nutrients provided by those cells to grow and reproduce.


What is AIDS?

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome...AIDS is a disease in which the body's immune system breaks down and is unable to fight off certain infections, known as "opportunistic infections," and other illnesses that take advantage of a weakened immune system.

When a person is infected with HIV, the virus enters the body and lives and multiplies primarily in the white blood cells.

These are the immune cells that normally protect us from bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and cancer cells that try to grow in our bodies.

HIV infection is the progressive loss of a specific type of immune cell called T-helper or CD4 cells.

When HIV first enters the body, your immune system immediately attacks the virus, and keeps it under control for a number of years, they may have no symptoms at all, and feel fine and look fine although they are considered to be "HIV positive."

During this time, the virus is at constant battle with your immune system.

Your body tries to get rid of the virus, but can only keep it under control.

After a number of years, your immune system starts to lose its battle against HIV.

As the virus grows, it damages or kills these and other cells, weakening the immune system and leaving the individual vulnerable to various opportunistic infections and other illnesses, ranging from pneumonia to cancer.


How You Can Become Infected With The HIV Virus?

A person who is HIV-infected carries a high concentration of the virus in certain body fluids, including:

• blood
• pre-cum
• semen
• vaginal secretions
• and breast milk.

The virus can be transmitted only if such HIV-infected fluids enter the bloodstream of another person.

This kind of direct entry can occur:
(1) through the linings of the vagina, rectum, mouth, and the opening at the tip of the penis;
(2) through intravenous injection with a syringe;
(3) through a break in the skin, such as a cut or sore.

Usually, HIV is transmitted through:

• Unprotected sexual intercourse (either vaginal or anal) with someone who is HIV-infected

Women are at greater risk of HIV infection through vaginal sex than men, although the virus can also be transmitted from women to men.

Anal sex (whether male-male or male-female) poses a high risk mainly to the receptive partner, because the lining of the anus and rectum are extremely thin and filled with small blood vessels that can be easily injured during intercourse.

Unprotected oral sex with someone who is HIV-infected.

There are far fewer cases of HIV transmission attributed to oral sex than to either vaginal or anal intercourse, but oral-genital contact poses a clear risk of HIV-infection, particularly when ejaculation occurs in the mouth.

This risk is increased when either partner has cuts or sores, such as those caused by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), recent tooth-brushing, or canker sores, which can allow the virus to enter the bloodstream.


How HIV is not transmitted?

HIV is not an easy virus to pass from one person to another.

It is not transmitted through food or air (for instance, by coughing or sneezing).

There has never been a case where a person was infected by a household member, relative, co-worker, or friend through casual or everyday contact such as sharing eating utensils and bathroom facilities or hugging and kissing.

Researchers agree that while HIV transmission through deep or prolonged "French" kissing may be possible, it would be extremely unlikely).

Sweat, tears, vomit, feces, and urine do not contain HIV.

Mosquitos, fleas, and other insects do not transmit HIV.

But do remember that other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be transmitted more easily than HIV, so what might be low risk for HIV may be high risk for other STDs.


Can you tell whether someone has HIV or AIDS?

You cannot tell by looking at someone whether he or she is infected with HIV or has AIDS.

An infected person can appear completely healthy.

But anyone infected with HIV can infect other people, even if no symptoms are present.


Is there a link between HIV and other STDs?

Having a sexually transmitted disease can increase your risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV.

This is true whether you have open sores or breaks in the skin (as with syphilis, herpes, and chancroid) or not (as with chlamydia and gonorrhea).

Where there are breaks in the skin, HIV can enter and exit the body more easily.

Even when there are no breaks in the skin, STDs can cause biological changes that may make HIV transmission more likely.

HIV-infected individuals who are infected with another STD are three to five times more likely to contract or transmit the virus through sexual contact.


Are some people at greater risk of HIV infection than others?

HIV does not discriminate.

It is not who you are, but what you do that determines whether you can become infected with HIV.

Sexual intercourse is by far the most common mode of HIV transmission.


Are women especially vulnerable to HIV?

Women are four times more likely to contract HIV through vaginal sex with infected males than vice versa.


How can I reduce my risk of becoming infected with HIV through sexual contact?

If you are sexually active, protect yourself from HIV infection by practicing safer sex.

Whenever you have sex, use a condom or "dental dam" (a square of latex recommended for use during oral-genital and oral-anal sex).

When used properly and consistently, condoms are extremely effective.

But remember: Use only latex condoms (or dental dams).

Lambskin products provide little protection against HIV.

Use only water-based lubricants.

Latex condoms are virtually useless when combined with oil- or petroleum-based lubricants such as Vaseline or hand lotion.

(People with latex allergies can use polyethylene condoms with oil-based lubricants.)

Use protection each and every time you have sex.


How can I tell if I'm infected with HIV? What are the symptoms?

The only way to determine for sure whether you are infected is to be tested for HIV infection.

You cannot rely on symptoms to know whether or not you are infected with HIV.

Many people who are infected with HIV do not have any symptoms at all for many years.

The following may be warning signs of infection with HIV:

• Rapid weight loss
• Dry cough
• Recurring fever or profuse night sweats
• Profound and unexplained fatigue
• Swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck
• Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week
• White spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth, or in the throat
• Pneumonia
• Red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids
• Memory loss, depression, and other neurological disorders

No one should assume they are infected if they have any of these symptoms.

Each of these symptoms can be related to other illnesses.

The only way to determine whether you are infected is to be tested for HIV infection.