Human Immunodeficiency Virus Basic Info

From Maricopa County Department of Public Health Services

Web Site:

http://www.maricopa.gov/public_health/hiv.asp

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The virus attacks your immune system until it can no longer fight off diseases. You can get HIV if blood, semen, vaginal fluid or breast milk from an infected person gets into your blood.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, AIDS, is a disease which destroys the body's immune system, leaving a person susceptible to life-threatening illnesses. The virus that causes AIDS is called the Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV.

AIDS is the result of a long process that begins with HIV infection. HIV destroys the body's immune system, allowing cancers, pneumonia and other infections to develop.

 

How do you get infected with HIV?

HIV is transmitted through blood, semen or vaginal fluid. HIV cannot be transmitted by holding hands, hugging, kissing or sharing food and household items. The virus does not survive outside of the body on surfaces like doorknobs, toilet seats, drinking fountains, telephones or in swimming pools. There haven't been any cases of the virus being transmitted by insects or food handlers.

Some people have become infected with HIV after receiving blood transfusions.

The nation's blood supply has been screened for HIV since 1985 so today it is extremely rare to get HIV from a blood transfusion.

HIV is primarily spread through body fluids via:

	Unprotected sexual intercourse
	Sharing needles and syringes when injecting drugs or steroids
	An infected mother to her child during pregnancy, birth or sometimes breast-feeding.

Anyone can become infected. HIV doesn’t discriminate.

 

Is there a test for HIV?

There is a blood test that detects whether the body's immune system has produced disease-fighting antibodies against the virus. If HIV antibodies are in your bloodstream, you will test positive for HIV.

A positive test is not a death sentence. It doesn't mean a person has AIDS.

Knowing your HIV antibody status is the key to obtaining proper medical care. Right now there isn't a cure for AIDS, but there are many effective treatments which, when given early, can prolong and improve the quality of life for people with HIV and AIDS.

HIV testing is available through most county health departments.

 

How can I protect myself from HIV?

The best advice is don't have sexual intercourse and don't shoot drugs, or to have sex with only one uninfected partner.

Having sex is a choice you make. But you should know that every time you have sex with a new partner, you may increase your chances of being exposed to HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

You can reduce your risk of infection by:

	Talking to your partner about HIV/AIDS
	Practicing safer sex where there is no exchange of semen, vaginal fluids, or blood
	Correctly using a latex condom every time you have sex
	Not using needles or syringes that another person might have used if you shoot drugs