+ What is HIV?

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is the virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, if not treated.

HIV attacks the body’s immune system, making it hard for the human body to fight infection. If HIV is left untreated then the virus will destroy the body’s immune system, leaving it susceptible to dangerous and even deadly infections and cancer.

+ What is AIDS?

If HIV virus is not controlled with proper medical care and medication, then a person will develop Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), the most severe stage of HIV.

This is the stage of HIV infection that occurs when your immune system is badly damaged and you become more vulnerable to infection.

In the United States, most people with HIV do not develop AIDS because medications can stop disease progression. With proper medical care, medication and a healthy lifestyle, AIDS can also be reversed, and the body’s immune system repaired.

+ What are the Symptoms of HIV?

You cannot rely on symptoms to tell whether you have HIV. The only way to know for sure is through testing. Knowing your status is important because it helps you make healthy decisions to prevent getting or transmitting HIV.

Not all people with HIV develop symptoms and some people who have HIV do not show any symptoms at all for 10 years or more. Flu-like symptoms can develop in the first 2-4 weeks such as:
• Fever

• Chills

• Rash

• Night sweats

• Muscle aches

• Sore throat

• Fatigue

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Mouth ulcers

You should not assume you have HIV just because you have any of these symptoms. Each of these symptoms can be caused by other illnesses. The only definitive way of knowing is through testing. If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, get an HIV test. It can take up to 3 months for HIV to show up on some tests.

+ Is there a cure for HIV?

Unlike some other viruses, the human body can’t get rid of HIV completely, even with treatment. Once you get HIV, it will need to be managed or treated for the remainder of your life. With medical care, people living with HIV can live as long as those without HIV.

+ How do you treat HIV?

Treatment for HIV is called antiretroviral therapy (ART) which is a daily medication that can reduce the amount of HIV in the blood. ART therapy is a key component of HIV treatment. When taken the right way, every day, ART can dramatically prolong the lives of those living with HIV, keep them healthy, and greatly lower the chance of infecting others.

+ How is HIV transmitted?

You can get or transmit HIV only through specific activities. Most commonly, HIV is spread through sexual contact and needle use. It is carried in bodily fluids such as:

• Blood

• Semen, and pre-seminal fluid

• Rectal fluids

• Vaginal fluids

• Breast milk

These fluids must come in contact with mucous membranes that are found inside the:

• Rectum

• Vagina

• Penis

• Mouth

This can occur by:

• Having anal or vaginal sex with someone who has HIV without using condoms.

• Sharing needles or other equipment used to prepare drugs for injection.

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding if the mother is HIV positive and untreated.

• Accidental sticks with an HIV-contaminated needle or other sharp objects.

+ How is HIV not transmitted?

• Skin contact such as hugs or hand-shakes

• Using the same toilet, showers or household items

• Sharing food, dishes, or kitchen utinsels

• Closed-mouth or “social” kissing

• Through saliva, tears, or sweat

• By mosquitoes, ticks or other blood-sucking insects.

• Through the air

For more information about HIV transmission, visit CDC’s HIV Transmission - https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/transmission.html

+ Who is at risk for HIV?

HIV can affect anyone regardless of sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, gender or age. However, certain groups are at higher risk for HIV and merit special consideration because of particular risk factors. For more information about groups at risk for HIV, go to https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/group/index.html

To learn about how to protect yourself and get information tailored to meet your needs using the CDC’s HIV Risk Reduction Tool at https://wwwn.cdc.gov/hivrisk

+ How do you prevent HIV?

Precautions should include

• Use condoms and dental dams

• Limit the number of sexual partners

• Get tested for HIV and other STDs at least annually.

• Encourage your partners to do the same.

• Learn about PrEP and PEP as preventative medication options

• Avoid sharing needles

+ Healthy living with HIV

• Take your prescribed HIV medication to remain virally suppressed

• Use condoms the right way every time you have sex

• If you inject drugs, never share your needles or supplies with anyone

• Talk to your doctor and HIV-negative partners about PrEP & PEP

• Get tested and treated for other STDs

• Encourage your partners to do the same

• See your healthcare providers semi-annually