Defining the Terms
HIV - Human Immunodefiency Virus is the virus that weakens the immune system and can cause AIDS.

 Antibody - Proteins produced by the immune system to fight infections.
HIV Disease - The disease caused by HIV that attacks and destroys a person's immune system until it is not able to fight off infection.

 Opportunistic Infections - Diseases that take advantage of an immune system weakened by HIV.
AIDS - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is the life-threatening stage of HIV disease. HIV Antibody Test - A blood test that shows if a person has antibodies to fight HIV, thus implying HIV infection.
Immune System - The body's defense system against infection and disease. HIV Transmission - When the HIV-infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids, pre-ejaculate fluid or breast milk from one person enters another's bloodstream.

Frequently Asked Questions on HIV/AIDS

How is HIV Transmitted?

HIV is transmitted from one person to another by infected:

  • Blood
  • Semen
  • Vaginal fluids
  • Breast milk
  • Pre-Ejaculate fluid (pre cum)

You CAN get HIV from a person who is infected through:

  • Sex - having unprotected anal, vaginal or oral sex (without a condom)
  • Needles - sharing unclean needles and syringes (works) to inject drugs, steroids or vitamins or sharing needles for body piercing, tattoos or becoming "blood brothers"
  • Mother to Child - through pregnancy, birth or breast feeding
  • Contaminated Blood Products - Before 1985 donated blood was not tested. Today all donated blood and blood products are tested for HIV.


HIV is not transmitted through casual contact

You CAN'T get HIV by:

  • Hugging
  • Kissing
  • Sharing food or drink
  • Touching or being around someone who is sneezing or coughing

There is no need for concern about day to day contact in the workplace, at school, from cooks, waiters or from family and friends who have HIV.

There is no evidence that shows HIV can be transmitted by saliva , tears or sweat. Urine and feces do not transmit HIV if there is no blood in them.

How do I find out if I have HIV?

Taking the HIV antibody test to see if you are infected with HIV is a very personal decision. If you feel you may have taken part in activities that have put you at risk you may want to consider taking the test. The test should be taken 3-6 months after the last time you may have been at risk. Since you can be infected with HIV and look well and feel healthy for years, the only way to know for sure if you are infected is by taking the HIV antibody test.

The importance of knowing if you have HIV is getting early medical treatment, learning all you can about HIV disease and protecting yourself and others. Because there are many new medications and treatments available people are living longer and healthier lives with HIV/AIDS.

For more information visit the following sites:

AIDS Health Care Foundation
Northwest AIDS Foundation
UCLA AIDS Institute
HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Service
Center for AIDS Prevention Studies
John Hopkins AIDS Service
AIDS.org
TheBody.com

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