HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.

AIDS was first discovered in the US in 1981 and is now a major worldwide epidemic. Early symptoms are often not noticed, or may seem like the flu.

There is no cure.

Transmission/How it is Spread:

Spread through contact with infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluids.
Contracted through oral, anal, or vaginal sex, sharing needles among drug users, or contact with infected blood.
Can be passed from mother to child during pregnancy, vaginal delivery, or through breast milk.
Having other STDS (like herpes and chlamydia) increase the risk of getting and spreading HIV.

Complications:

Infections that a healthy body could fight off often become life-threatening in somebody with AIDS because of the weakened immune system.

Prevention:

Abstain from sexual activity.
Faithful marriage or mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner.
Latex condoms, when used the right way all the time, reduce but do not eliminate the risk.
Avoid contact with blood. Do not touch other's blood without latex gloves. Do not share needles.
There is no vaccine to prevent HIV infection.

Treatment/Cure:

No known cure.
Medicines help delay the onset of AIDS, although they do not work for everyone and not everyone has access to them.
Medicines are use to treat and minimize symptoms of AIDS-related illnesses.

HIV is a viral infection spread through contact with infected blood or body fluids, including semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. The most common methods of getting and spreading include: anal, vaginal, or oral sex; sharing needles among drug users; and rarely, blood transfusions with infected blood or blood products. HIV is a virus that kills cells that helps the body fight off infection and disease.

The virus can be spread if infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluids enter the body through tiny cuts or sores in the skin or in the lining of the vagina, penis, rectum, or mouth. It is easier to get HIV if a person already has an STD like chlamydia or herpes. An HIV infected person who has another STD can more easily spread HIV to their sexual partner. HIV is not spread through casual contact (sharing food utensils, towels and bedding, swimming pools, telephones, or toilet seats) or mosquito bites.

After entering the body, HIV attacks the immune system. Initial symptoms are generally not noticed, and may be flu-like. Normally, the body is able to bring the virus under moderate control. This state usually lasts about 10 years.

After this period, the body becomes less able to fight the virus and, as the virus' presence in the body increases, the individual is now classified as having AIDS. They get AIDS-related illnesses because the immune system is no longer able to fight off everyday germs that cause infections. Some medicines may delay the onset of AIDS-related infections and minimize the symptoms of the different illnesses.

A pregnant female who is infected with HIV can give the virus to her baby during pregnancy, delivery, and through breast milk. Every pregnant female should get tested for HIV. If a female is HIV positive, she can have treatment during the pregnancy and greatly reduce the chance of giving the HIV virus to her baby.

While some people may be able to fight the virus more efficiently, people with HIV will develop AIDS. There is no known cure for HIV, but treatment can help people with HIV live longer by delaying when they develop AIDS.

Back to Common STDs

Last revised: August 19, 2009