Human Immunodeficiency Virus is the virus that causes AIDS or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. HIV harms the body's immune system by attacking certain kinds of cells, known as helper T cells or CD4 cells, which defend the body against illness.
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AIDS, or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, occurs when an individual's immune system is weakened by HIV to the point where they develop any number of diseases or cancers.
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What Is The Difference Between HIV & AIDS? |
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS, the most advanced stage of HIV disease. A weakened immune system caused by HIV will allow opportunistic infections (OIs) to develop. A healthy immune system would normally fight these infections while an HIV-weakened immune system is susceptible.
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How Does Someone Get HIV? |
In the United States, most people get HIV through unprotected sex, including vaginal, anal and oral sex, and through injection drug use. Certain bodily fluids including blood, pre-cum, semen, and vaginal secretions, spread HIV. An HIV infected woman can pass HIV to her baby through pregnancy or delivery, and also through breast milk. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), contact with saliva, tears, or sweat has never resulted in someone getting HIV. You cannot get HIV through casual contact such as hugging or shaking hands.
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Ways To Reduce Risks Of HIV/STD's |
There is no cure for HIV/AIDS, but it is preventable. Protect yourself.
• Choose not to have sex, or make an agreement with a partner who is not HIV-positive to be sexually faithful to each other, and stick to it.
• Use a condom for vaginal or anal sex, and barrier methods, such as a condom or dental dam, for oral sex.
• If you are HIV-positive and you are pregnant, see your health care provider to get appropriate treatment. Treatments are available to significantly reduce the risk of passing the infection to your child during pregnancy and delivery.
• Do not share needles for any kind of injection drug use.
• Get Tested! And ask partners to do the same.
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Is There A Cure Or Vaccine For HIV/AIDS? |
At this time there is no cure or vaccine for HIV. However, there are new treatments available that have been found to be highly effective in keeping people healthy longer and in delaying the onset of AIDS.
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Is There A Link Between HIV & Other STD's? |
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with other STDs are more likely to become infected with HIV. Having STDs that can cause open sores, such as herpes, is especially risky. STDs that do not cause open sores also pose a threat.
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* Text courtesy of KNOW HIV/AIDS, a partnership of Viacom and the Kaiser Family Foundation
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