HIV/AIDS

The following are some facts you should know about HIV/AIDS:

HIV/AIDS stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
HIV is found in blood, semen, vaginal fluids, anal mucus and breast milk.
It can be passed on when you have unprotected sex or share needles or syringes.
A mother with HIV can also pass it on to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding, but there are medications available to greatly reduce this risk.
It can't be passed on by:
- mosquito bites (or any other insect bites)
- social contact such as sharing cutlery, toilets, showers or telephones
- kissing, hugging or shaking hands with a person who is HIV positive
- saliva, sweat, tears or urine.
When a person is infected with HIV, their body develops antibodies (something to fight germs) and in the early stages, they might feel like they have the flu.
Blood tests can detect the virus and the antibodies 6 weeks after coming into contact with the virus.
If someone is HIV positive, it means they carry HIV and can pass it on. It doesn't mean they have AIDS.
AIDS is something you get usually after years of having HIV. It can be delayed for a long time and sometimes prevented by treatment.
There are effective medical treatments to keep people with HIV/AIDS healthier, but there is no cure.
You need to protect any sexual partners by using condoms for vaginal, anal and oral sex and by letting them know about your infection.

For more information, read Better Health Channel's fact sheet on HIV/AIDS.

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