What is it?
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a viral
infection which if left untreated can damage and destroy the immune
system. Over time, this damage increases the risk of getting
certain types of infections and tumours. If these infections
develop this is known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
(AIDS).
Symptoms
You cannot tell by looking at someone if they have HIV. Many
people do not have any symptoms for many years and are not aware
that they are living with HIV. Having a test is the only way
to know if you have HIV or not.
How can a person get HIV?
HIV is found in blood, semen, vaginal fluid and breast milk. You
can only get HIV from someone who already has the virus, if the
virus gets into your bloodstream.
HIV can affect both men and women of all ages, ethnicities and
religions. It is most commonly transmitted through unprotected
sex,
You can get HIV:
- Through having sexual intercourse without a condom.
- Through infected blood or blood products during a blood
transfusion. In the UK blood has been screened since 1984 and is
safe.
- Through a contaminated needle and syringe. This could be from
sharing injecting equipment to take drugs, or in a hospital or
clinic in a country that did not have good hygiene processes and
where equipment was used on more than one person.
- From an infected mother to her child during birth or from
breastfeeding.
-
You cannot get HIV from:
- Sharing food with someone who has HIV.
- Sharing cooking or eating utensils with someone who has
HIV
- Kissing someone with HIV
- Shaking hands or hugging someone with HIV
- Using the same toilet as someone with HIV.
There is no vaccine and no cure for HIV. However, HIV is a
treatable infection and a range of medicines are available which
help people with HIV to keep well and live normally.
Treatment options are constantly improving which delay or prevent
damage to the immune system. Most treatments consist of
between one and four tablets a day.
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