What does HIV and AIDS stand for?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is the virus that attacks the body’s immune system and over time, people become less able to fight off illness and diseases.

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is a condition that results from your body’s weakened immune system as a result of infection with HIV. Doctors make an AIDS diagnosis based on a set of symptoms and conditions identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). These conditions include: being HIV+ and having a T-Cell (CD4) cell count lower than 200 and/or having had one or more opportunistic infections (these can include: toxoplasmosis, Kaposi's sarcoma, and several others).

How is HIV transmitted?

HIV is spread by direct contact with infected body fluids, including: blood, semen, pre-cum, vaginal secretions, breast milk and anal-rectal fluids. This means that the HIV contained in one or more of these body fluids must get into the bloodstream by direct entry into a vein, a break in the skin or through the mucous linings (such as the eyes, mouth, nose, vagina, rectum or penis). Other body fluids such as tears, saliva, urine, sweat, vomit, etc. do not pose a risk unless visible blood is present.

The three most common ways that HIV is transmitted are:

• UNPROTECTED SEX – That’s having anal, vaginal or oral sex without a condom or other barrier with an HIV infected person and/or
• SHARING NEEDLES – That’s sharing intravenous (IV) drug needles, syringes and/or other equipment (works) with an HIV infected person
• MOTHER TO CHILD - From HIV-infected woman to babies before or during birth, or through breast feeding

HIV is not the only infection that you can get from sexual contact. You can also get other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) — such as Chlamydia, HPV, gonorrhea, hepatitis B/C, herpes, intestinal parasites, non-gonococcal urethritis, and syphilis — through unprotected anal, vaginal, and oral sex as well as other sexual practices like rimming.

If you have any of these STIs and do anything sexually that can transmit HIV, you're also at much greater risk of actually getting HIV. In fact, having one of these STIs can increase your risk for contracting HIV.

Can I get HIV from casual contact?

NO! Shaking hands, hugging, using a toilet, drinking from the same glass, or the sneezing and coughing of an infected person will not put you at risk for contracting HIV. You can only get HIV from intimate contact with specific body fluids from an infected. You can't get HIV from day-to-day contact in the workplace, schools, or social settings, and you can't get HIV from shaking hands, hugging, or a casual kiss. You also can't get infected from a toilet seat, a drinking fountain, a doorknob, dishes, drinking glasses, food, or pets. HIV is not an airborne or food-borne virus and does not live long outside the body.

Is there a cure for HIV or AIDS?

No. There is no cure or vaccine for HIV infection or AIDS. Research scientists in the United States and other countries are actively working towards the development of a cure. To date, no one has ever been able to cure any virus known to mankind, however there are many treatments and medications to help treat HIV.

Can I tell if someone is HIV positive just from looking at them?

No, you can’t. Many of the typical outward symptoms of HIV are not necessarily clear indicators that someone is HIV positive. The only sure way to find out is to ask the guy if he knows his HIV status and hope that they answer honestly. And if they don’t know their status, it's probably a good idea to assume they are HIV positive and play safely.