HIV/AIDS has been a global epidemic for more than 27 years. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. This is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV is different from most other viruses because it attacks the immune system. The immune system gives our bodies the ability to fight infections. HIV finds and destroys a type of white blood cell (T cells or CD4 cells) that the immune system must have to fight disease.
AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection. It can take years for a person infected with HIV, even without treatment, to reach this stage. Having AIDS means that the virus has weakened the immune system to the point at which the body has a difficult time fighting infections. When someone has one or more of these infections and a low number of T cells, he or she has AIDS.
The most common ways that HIV is transmitted from one person to another are:
By having sex with an 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
HIV can only be transmitted through certain body fluids like blood, semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk and other body fluids containing blood.
Specific behaviors may place you at higher risk for coming in contact with HIV. You may be at increased risk for HIV infection if you have:
Injected drugs or steroids, during which needles or equipment were shared with others
Had unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with men who have sex with men, multiple partners, or anonymous partners
Exchanges sex for drugs or money
Been given a diagnosis or treated for hepatitis, tuberculosis (TB), or a sexually transmitted disease (STD
Received a blood transfusion during 1978-1985
Had unprotected sex with anyone who has any of the risk factors listed above
Ways to protect yourself from HIV are:
Abstain from sex
Be faithful to you partner if you are having sex
Use condoms if you are having sex
Know the HIV-status of your partner
Do not inject illicit drugs
If you do inject drugs, never share needles or other equipment and use only clean needles and equipment
Make getting an HIV test part of your regular medical checkup
For more information and to learn the link between drug abuse and the spread of HIV infection in the United States, gotohttp://hiv.drugabuse.gov/
HIV/AIDS has been a global epidemic for more than 27 years. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. This is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV is different from most other viruses because it attacks the immune system. The immune system gives our bodies the ability to fight infections. HIV finds and destroys a type of white blood cell (T cells or CD4 cells) that the immune system must have to fight disease.
AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection. It can take years for a person infected with HIV, even without treatment, to reach this stage. Having AIDS means that the virus has weakened the immune system to the point at which the body has a difficult time fighting infections. When someone has one or more of these infections and a low number of T cells, he or she has AIDS.
The most common ways that HIV is transmitted from one person to another are:
HIV can only be transmitted through certain body fluids like blood, semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk and other body fluids containing blood.
Specific behaviors may place you at higher risk for coming in contact with HIV. You may be at increased risk for HIV infection if you have:
Ways to protect yourself from HIV are:
For more information and to learn the link between drug abuse and the spread of HIV infection in the United States, gotohttp://hiv.drugabuse.gov/