Category: HIV/AIDS Basics

What is HIV and AIDS? How is HIV transmitted? Are condoms effective in preventing transmission of HIV? Can mosquitoes transmit HIV? How do HIV medications work? Where can I get tested for HIV? Where can I get more information about HIV? 1. What are HIV and AIDS? Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency …

For a long time, there was no real prevention focus on individuals who were HIV-positive. The prevention focus was more on individuals who were HIV-negative and to come up with prevention strategies that would help them remain negative.  Even though HIV-positive was included in prevention in some forms, the interventions have not always addressed issues that pertain to being HIV-positive. …

Drugs, alcohol, and HIV Using drugs or alcohol can increase a person’s risk for acquiring or transmitting HIV. This website will help you learn how to protect yourself and others, even if you decide to continue using drugs or alcohol. There are two main ways that drug use can increase HIV risk: Sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs …

What is HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis? HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is the use of antiretroviral drugs as soon as possible after a high-risk exposure to HIV, to reduce (but not eliminate) the possibility of HIV infection. PEP is not the morning after pill for HIV. PEP is a four-week program of two or three antiretroviral medications, several times a day. The …

HIV can be transmitted through: Unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex Direct blood contact, which may occur through needle sharing, transfusions, accidents in health care settings, or certain blood products Mother to baby; in the womb, during birth, or through breast milk HIV Transmission Routes HIV can enter the body through portals of entry, open cuts or sores, and by …

When you’re HIV-positive Once finding out they’re positive, many people think that their sex lives are going to be turned upside down or even stop completely. That doesn’t have to happen. But you are going to have to deal with the fact that you’ve got HIV whenever you’re in a sexual situation.   No matter what the context—whether you’re about …

What is HIV? HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that affects certain white blood cells—CD4 T cells—that manage human immune system responses. When these blood cells are damaged, it becomes difficult for people to fight off infections or diseases. This condition is called “HIV disease.” Human – the virus can only infect human beings. Although similar diseases exist in …