HIV/AIDS INFORMATION

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is an advanced stage of HIV infection.

TRANSMISSION

HIV is transmitted when blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or breast milk from an infected person enters the bloodstream of an uninfected person.

• Sharing needles and syringes with someone infected with HIV
• Being exposed (fetus or infant) to HIV before or during birth or through breast feeding

HIV is a fragile virus. It cannot live for very long outside the body. As a result, the virus is not transmitted through day-to-day activities such as shaking hands, hugging, or a casual kiss. You cannot become infected from a toilet seat, drinking fountain, doorknob, dishes, drinking glasses, food, or pets. You also cannot get HIV from mosquitoes.

PREVENTION

• Abstain from sex (do not have oral, anal, or vaginal sex) until you are in a relationship with only one person, are having sex with only each other, and each of you knows the other’s HIV status.
• Talk about HIV and other STDs with each partner before you have sex.
• Learn as much as you can about each partner’s past behavior (sex and drug use), and consider the risks to your health before you have sex.
• Use a latex condom and lubricant every time you have sex.
• Ask your partners if they have recently been tested for HIV; encourage those who have not been tested to do so.
• Do not inject illicit drugs (drugs not prescribed by your doctor). You can get HIV through needles, syringes, and other works if they are contaminated with the blood of someone who has HIV.
• Do not have sex when you are taking drugs or drinking alcohol because being high can make you more likely to take risks. 

www.cdc.gov/hiv

www.aids.gov

www.nim.nih.gov/medlineplus/aids.html

www.rho.org/html/hiv_aids_links.htm

www.aidsonline.com

www.projectinform.org/hotline/index.shtml