HIV

What is HIV?

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that weakens your immune system, making it hard for your body to fight infections.  If untreated, HIV can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), which is the most serious stage. 

How do you get HIV?

HIV spreads through:

  • Unprotected sex (both vaginal and anal)
  • Sharing needles or sharp objects
  • Blood transfusion with infected blood
  • Mother-to-child transmission during birth or breastfeeding

You cannot get HIV from hugging, shaking hands, sharing food, or sitting next to someone.

What is AIDS?

AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV, where your body becomes too weak to fight infections. But here’s the good news: Not everyone with HIV gets AIDS, especially if they take their medicine.

Symptoms of HIV?

  • Fever, chills, sore throat (just like the flu!)
  • Night sweats
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Tiredness
  • Skin rashes

Can HIV be treated?

Yes! Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) helps people live long, healthy lives. When taken correctly, the virus can become undetectable, meaning it can’t be passed to others!

How can you stay safe?

  • Get tested 
  • Use protection
  • Don’t share needles  
  • If exposed, take PEP (medicine to stop HIV before it starts)
  • If at risk, take PrEP (medicine to prevent HIV)
  • Stay faithful to one partner
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