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WHAT IS HIV?
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The virus attacks cells in your body that fight off infection and keep the body healthy. When HIV has damaged the immune system, someone is said to have AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome. As HIV takes hold the body produces antibodies in an attempt to fight the virus.
WHERE IS HIV FOUND?
HIV is found in the bodily fluids of a person who has been infected – blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk.
HOW IS HIV TRANSMITTED?
Through: Unprotected sex (vaginal, anal and to a lesser extent oral sex) with an infected person Sharing contaminated syringes, needles or other sharp instruments From mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breast feeding when the mother is already HIV positive Blood transfusion with contaminated blood
All these ways of transmitting HIV can be prevented.
Can I tell someone has HIV just by looking at them?
No. A person living with HIV may look healthy and feel good just like you. A blood test is the only way a person can find out if he or she is infected with HIV
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Can I get HIV from shaking hands or other forms of social contact?
No. HIV is not transmitted through non-sexual day-to-day contact. You cannot be infected by shaking someone’s hand, by hugging someone, by using the same toilet or by drinking from the same glass as a person living with HIV. HIV is not transmitted through coughing or sneezing like some other diseases. There is no need to fear social interaction with people living with HIV.
What is the risk of getting HIV from kissing?
Transmission though kissing on the mouth carries virtually no risk; no evidence has been found that the virus is spread through saliva by kissing.
Are mosquito bites a risk of infection with HIV?
HIV is not spread by mosquitoes or other biting insects. Even if the virus enters a mosquito or another sucking or biting insect, it cannot reproduce in insects. Since the insect cannot be infected with HIV, it cannot transmit HIV to the next human it feeds on or bites.
Does HIV only affect certain risk groups like gay men or people who inject drugs?
No. Anyone who has unprotected sex with a person living with HIV can become infected. Similarly if HIV is present and someone shares contaminated injecting equipment with a person infected with HIV, or has a transfusion with contaminated blood they can become infected with HIV. Infants can be infected with HIV from their mothers during pregnancy, during labour or after delivery through breastfeeding.
What should you do if you think you have been exposed to HIV?
You should immediately seek advice from a local health provider who may recommend counseling and testing for HIV or suggest a course of post-exposure prophylaxis. It’s important to remember that if you have been newly infected with HIV you could be highly infectious during this early stage.
