HIV

HIV makes it difficult for your body to fight against infections. If a HIV positive person does not get proper treatment, it can progress to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).

How is HIV spread?
The virus is passed through blood and body fluids. This means that blood, semen, women’s vaginal liquids and breast milk can all carry the virus.

You can get HIV from sex (vaginal, anal or oral) without using a condom. The risk of getting HIV from oral sex is low but it CAN happen especially if there are cuts or sores on the vagina, penis, mouth or throat or if the woman has her period.

You can also catch HIV from infected blood and blood products and by sharing needles, syringes or other injecting equipment that hasn’t been properly sterilised. A woman with HIV can pass the virus to her baby during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding however, nowadays you can prevent the baby becoming HIV positive by giving the mother special treatment before, during and after delivery.

What are the symptoms?

• You need to have a blood test to find out if you’ve got HIV. It can take 3 or 4 months after infection for a HIV test to show positive.
• It takes 7-10 years for most HIV positive people to show symptoms of the illness.
• Early symptoms can include swollen lymph glands in the throat, armpits and groin, fever, headaches, tiredness and muscle pain.
• If you are HIV positive you might be healthy for years but can still pass the virus to other people.

What treatment can you get?
There is no cure for HIV and AIDS but there are treatments available that slow down the progress of HIV. If you are pregnant and HIV positive you can receive treatment during pregnancy and labour that help prevent the risk of your baby being infected by the virus. You need to talk to your doctor about the available options. Your partner and recent partners should also be tested.

How can you avoid getting HIV and AIDS?

• Always use condoms during vaginal sex, oral sex and anal sex with new partners.
• Make sure that both you and your partner are tested for sexually transmitted infections.
• Never share needles or equipment with other people and disinfect needles before using them.
• If you’re getting a piercing or tattoo check that the needles are new or sterilized.
• Avoid sex if you or your partner has sores, raw skin or blisters around the vagina, anus (bum) or penis.