Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus, or germ, that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The virus weakens a person's ability to fight infections and cancer.

People with HIV are said to have AIDS when the virus makes them very sick and they develop certain infections or cancers. Having HIV does not always mean you have AIDS. It can take many years for people with the virus to develop AIDS. HIV and AIDS cannot be cured. Although people with AIDS will one day die from an AIDS-related illness, there are ways to help people stay healthy longer.

How it Occurs and spreads

The virus enters the bloodstream by way of body fluids, usually blood or semen. Once in the blood, the virus invades and kills cells of the immune system, the body's natural defense against disease. These cells are white blood cells called CD4 cells. When these cells are destroyed, the body is less able to fight disease. The number of white blood cells usually drops in patients with advanced HIV infection.

HIV cannot be spread by casual contact with people and objects. The virus cannot get through unbroken skin.

The three major routes of transmission are sexual intercourse, contaminated needles and transmission from an infected mother to her baby at birth or through breast milk.

Common ways people get HIV:

•  Sharing a needle to take drugs

•  Having sex with an infected person

You cannot get HIV from:

•  Touching or hugging someone who has HIV/AIDS

•  Public bathrooms or swimming pools

•  Sharing cups, utensils, or telephones with someone who has HIV/AIDS

•  Bug bites

Who can get HIV?
Anyone can get HIV if they engage in certain activities. You might have a higher risk of getting HIV if you:

•  Have sex with many partners (men or women)

•  Have unsafe sex with an infected person

•  Share needles to take drugs or steroids

•  Are a man who has had sex with another man

•  Have unprotected sex for drugs or money

HIV testing and Counseling

A simple blood test can tell you whether you have been infected with HIV. It looks for HIV antibodies in the blood. This test is not as AIDS test. It does not tell you if have AIDS or if you will get sick.

The only way to know if you have HIV is to take an HIV test. This test looks for signs of HIV in your blood. A small sample of blood is taken from your arm. The blood is sent to a lab and tested for HIV.

Some clinics perform HIV tests without ever taking your name (anonymous testing). You must go back to the clinic to get your results. A positive test means that you have HIV. A negative test means no signs of HIV were found in your blood.

Who Should be Tested

Women who are of childbearing age should think about being tested for HIV

•  If you are pregnant, ask your doctor for HIV counseling.

Your doctor will talk to you about the HIV infection and how if can affect your new baby.

•  You will learn about the need to have an HIV test and what will happen during the test.

•  It is important to be tested to find out your HIV status.

•  Counseling will explain the treatment options that are available to pregnant women who test positive.

•  Treatment for pregnant women who test positive can reduce the risk of passing HIV to their babies.

•  Your doctor or counselor can help you with any problems you have dealing with HIV.

Signs that HIV is turning into AIDS include:

•  Rapid weight loss

•  Dry cough

•  Recurring fever or profuse night sweats

•  Profound and unexplained fatigue

•  Swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck (lymphadenopathy)

•  Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week

•  White spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth, or in the throat (thrush)

•  Pneumonia

•  Red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids (Kaposi Sarcoma)

•  Memory loss, depression, and other neurological disorders

If you are Infected?

A positive test means that you are infected with HIV and can pass the virus on to others. You will need to get special health care and take measures to project others.

A negative test means that HIV antibodies were not found in your blood. Usually, antibodies show up in the test within 6-12 weeks after a person is infected. Sometimes it may a take longer duration to show signs. For this reason, you may want to take a second test after about 6 months to be sure to get an accurate result. Even if your test results are negative, you should still continue to protect yourself by stopping any behavior that could pose a risk.

A positive HIV test means that you are infected with the virus. It is important to take certain steps to avoid passing the infection to others:

•  Tell sex partners-past and present

•  Dont share needle to inject drugs; if you have, tell the person.

•  Practice safer sex.

•  Never donate or sell your blood or plasma or arrange to be an organ donor.

•  Do not share toothbrushes, razors, or other objects that could be contaminated with blood.

•  Be sure to tell every health care provider who treats you, including your dentist, that you are HIV positive.

Avoid getting pregnant, because your baby will be at risk. However, if you are pregnant, talk to your doctor about special care for you and your newborn

Protecting Yourself and Others

The best way to protect yourself is to avoid activities that put you at risk. There's no way to tell by looking at someone if he or she has HIV. Always protect yourself.

•  Use latex condoms (rubbers) whenever you have any type of sex (vaginal, anal or oral).

•  Don't use condoms made from animal products.

•  Use water-based lubricants (lotion).

•  Never share needles to take drugs.

•  Avoid getting drunk or high. People who are drunk or high might be less likely to protect themselves.

It's important to use a condom correctly to protect yourself against HIV. Follow these

Tips:

•  Use a condom during any sex act that involves the penis.

•  Put the condom on after the penis is erect (hard).

•  Place the condom on the tip of the penis and roll it down.

•  Squeeze the tip of the condom as you roll it on to release any trapped air.

•  Leave a little room at the tip of the penis where semen can collect.

•  If you use a lubricant (lotion), make sure that it is water-based. Do not use Vaseline, petroleum jelly, or lubricants made with mineral or vegetable oil.

•  Leave the condom on until you are done with all sex acts.

•  Remove the condom while the penis is still erect (hard).

•  Always throw out used condoms

•  Don't use condoms that are hard, broken, or look the wrong color.