What is HIV/AIDS?
Here’s some answers to some of the key questions people have about HIV/AIDS
What is HIV?
What is AIDS?
How is HIV spread?
Who’s at risk of getting infected?
How can I prevent getting infected?
How do I know if I have HIV?
How often should I get tested?
Are there effective treatments for
HIV/AIDS?
Is there a cure for HIV/AIDS?
What is HIV?
HIV stands for "human immunodeficiency virus". Someone who is infected with HIV is said to be "HIV positive". While someone may be infected with HIV, they may not have symptoms for many years. Over time, the virus attacks the body’s immune system, potentially leading to AIDS. Return to top.
What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for "acquired immune deficiency syndrome". AIDS is a late stage of HIV infection. HIV-positive people may develop illnesses (a.k.a. syndromes) because the virus has damaged their immune system. If a person is diagnosed with one or more of the serious illnesses associated with AIDS, they are considered to have progressed to AIDS. Anti-HIV drugs can delay or prevent the onset of AIDS in most people infected with HIV. Return to top.
How is HIV spread?
You can get HIV from having unprotected anal, vaginal or oral sex. You can also get it from sharing needles with someone who is infected with HIV. An HIV-positive woman can also pass on the virus to her child during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.
You CANNOT get HIV from shaking hands, sharing utensils, hugging, or kissing. Return to top.
Who’s at risk of getting infected?
Anyone who has sex, shares needles is at risk of infection. However, there are ways you can reduce your risk (see “How can I prevent getting infected”) Return to top.
How can I prevent getting infected?
If you have sex, using condoms consistently and correctly will greatly reduce your risk of infection. If you use IV drugs, using your own needles and not sharing them will also prevent HIV infection. Return to top.
How do I know if I have HIV?
The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested. Testing has never been easier, with many testing centers offering results, along with counseling, within 30 minutes. To find a testing site close to you, click here. Return to top.
How often should I get tested?
Since HIV tests look for HIV antibodies (these are what the body produces to fight HIV) and NOT the HIV virus, it’s important that enough time has elapsed for the body to produce enough of these antibodies to be detectable. This can take from two weeks to six months in people who are infected. Testing at three and six months after a possible exposure to HIV will detect almost all HIV infections. Return to top.
Are there effective treatments for HIV/AIDS?
Yes. For more than a decade, anti-HIV drugs (called ‘antiretroviral therapy’, ‘ARVs’, or “HIV cocktail”) have helped to dramatically prolong and improve the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS. Although these drugs do not eradicate the virus from the body, they successfully lower the levels of HIV in the blood. Return to top.
Is there a cure for HIV/AIDS?
At this time there’s no cure for HIV/AIDS. However through research, groups like AIDS Research Alliance are dedicated to finding vaccines and other ways to prevent or cure HIV/AIDS. Return to top.
For more information on HIV/AIDS, visit:
