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HIV and AIDS
What is HIV?
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Unlike most other viruses HIV attacks the immune system. The immune system gives our bodies the power and skills to fight infections. HIV acts by finding and destroying T Cells (also known as CD4 cells), a special type of white blood cells that the immune system must have to fight disease.
What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. AIDS is caused by HIV, but being infected by this virus doesn't
necessary mean to have AIDS. This condition is the final stage of HIV infection. It can take years for a person infected
with HIV, even without treatment, to reach AIDS stage. Having AIDS means that the virus has destroyed an important amount
of
T Cells. As consequence, the immune system weakened to the level at which the body has difficulties fighting infections.
How is HIV transmitted?
You cannot get HIV just by being in the same room with an infected person, or just by shaking hands or hugging one.
HIV transmission can occur when blood, vaginal fluid, semen (cum), pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum) or breast milk from an infected person enters the body of an uninfected person.
The most common ways that HIV is transmitted from one person to another are:
- By having unprotected sex with a HIV-infected person
- By sharing needles or injection equipment with a person who is infected with HIV
- From HIV-infected women to their babies before or during birth, or through breast feeding
- From blood transfusion, if the HIV is in the blood
How do I know if I have HIV?
You cannot rely on symptoms to know whether or not you are infected. Some people have a flu-like condition within several days to weeks after HIV exposure. They complain of headache, fever, tiredness and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. Usually, these symptoms go away on their own within one week or two. After that, the infected person feels normal and has no symptoms.
Main part of people infected with HIV do not develop any symptom at all, so they do not know they are infected. This asymptomatic phase often lasts for a long time, in many cases for 10 years or more.
WARNING!
Even though the person has no symptoms, he or she is contagious and can pass HIV to others through the routes listed above.
If you suspect something, the only way to know if you are infected is to be tested for HIV infection.
Do not use home test kits available at drugstores or over the internet, they may not be accurate.
Your doctor's office or clinic is the place to get a test for HIV. You also may use the mobile phone service to find a
HIV testing site near you. Just send a text message with your ZIP code to “KNOWIT” (566948) and you will receive a text
message identifying an HIV testing site. You may also visit www.hivtest.org.
How To Protect Yourself From AIDS
- Use a condom during sexual intercourse. If used properly, a condom provides a very effective protection against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases.
- Avoid any open contact with human fluids by not sharing needles, injection, razor blades, bandages and so on.
News and Info
US routine testing HIV and AIDS
Physicians guideline for screening high hiv risk patients
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