For you to better gain an understanding of HIV/AIDS, we have provided some frequently asked questions and answers.

What is HIV?
HIV is Human Immunodeficiency Virus which is a virus that causes AIDS or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. HIV is the virus that kills your body’s CD4 or T-helper cells. These are the cells that help your body fight off infection and disease.

What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, a disease caused by HIV robbing your body of its ability to fight off illness and infections. Without proper treatment, AIDS can cause permanent damage and ultimately lead to death.

How is HIV transmitted?

• HIV is transmitted by having unprotected sex (sex without a condom) with someone who is HIV positive. The virus can be in the infected person’s blood, semen, or vaginal secretions and can even enter your body through tiny cuts or sores on your skin.

• By sharing a needle and syringe with someone who is HIV positive.

• Babies born to women who are positive for HIV can become infected during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding.

You CANNOT be Infected By:

• Working or being around someone who is positive for the virus.

• Sweat, spit, tears, handling clothing, or sharing everyday objects or activities such as drinking fountains, phones, toilet seats or a meal.

• Insect bites or stings

• Donating blood

• From a closed mouth kiss (with an open mouth kiss, a slight possibility exists because of the potential for blood contact)

How Can I Protect Myself?

• Don’t share needles and syringes used to inject drugs, steroids, vitamins, to apply tattoos or for body piercing.

• Consistent and correct use of a condom can reduce but not eliminate the risk of infection.

• ABSTAIN from sexual intercourse outside of a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner which you know to be HIV negative

• Complete ABSTINANCE is the only proven way to have 100% confidence of not getting HIV.