HIV is a virus known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Once it enters our body, it attacks our immune system, which keeps us healthy. HIV has the ability to disable our immune system, making us vulnerable to other infections, illnesses or diseases. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. No person who has AIDS can be cured. Nor is there an effective vaccine available. Prevention has therefore become an issue for all humans.

Transmission Factors

Anyone can get HIV. Once inside our body, it stays in our body fluids. Blood, semen (including pre-cum), vaginal secretions, and breast milk contain sufficient amounts of HIV to cause transmission. Places in our body like the vagina, anus, mouth, and head of penis, deep cuts, and injured skin are "ports of entry", vulnerable to HIV transmission.

How is HIV transmitted?

HIV can infect anyone. Main transmission routes are:

• Unprotected sex ( vaginal, oral, anal)
• Blood exposures (sharing needles, occupational exposures, and blood products)
• Mother-to-child during pregnancy, labor/delivery, and breastfeeding, if the mother is infected

Does Casual Contact Transmit HIV?

HIV is not spread by the air, water, food or through casual contact. It is safe to shake hands, hug somebody, share the same toilet, and sit together.

How do you know if you are infected with HIV?

You can't tell a person is infected with HIV by looking at the appearance. Only blood tests can tell if you are infected. Get a HIV antibody test if you think you are at risk. It usually takes a period of 4 weeks to 3 months for the body to produce enough antibodies to be detected by a test from the first time of infection. The period between an infection and the time the body produces enough HIV antibodies for a test is called the "window period"

What is AIDS?

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Being infected with HIV does not mean you have AIDS. With AIDS, your immune system has been damaged, and you are no longer able to protect yourself against any other infections. AIDS is the late stage and long term infection of HIV. It takes an average of 10 years for a person to develop AIDS from HIV infection.

Symptoms of the HIV disease

Some people with HIV disease can have all of its possible symptoms at one time, but most may have only a few of them. Some others may not even have symptoms.
The most common symptoms at the early stage include loss of weight, cold, flu, diarrhea, white discharges (in the Penis/vagina/rectum/or the mouth), tiredness, swollen glands, skin disease (like impetigo), loss of memory, etc. In women the first signs of HIV disease may include repeated yeast infections of the vagina.

How can you protect yourself against HIV/AIDS?

The best way to prevent HIV/AIDS is not to have sex and to never shoot drugs. But it's difficult, if not impossible, for people to practice abstinence all the time. Therefore, if you have sex, use a condom (latex) every time you have sex.
If you have to shoot drugs (or even insulin), use new needles each time, and don't share your "works" with everybody.
Also don't share razors, toothbrushes or personal implements with anyone. If an infected man or woman wants to have a baby, consult your doctor or seek good health care.

Condoms and Safer Sex

Condom ON

• Use a non-expired, new latex condom before each sexual encounter.
• Squeeze the tip of the condom to remove excess air to prevent breakage.
• When penis is erect, prior to any sexual acts, place condoms on the head of penis and roll it all the way down.
• If lubrication is need, use water based (K-Y Jelly) or silicone lubricant. (Oil based lubricants could break condom.)

Condom OFF

• After ejaculation, withdraw penis while it is still erect, hold on to the rim of condom as you withdraw so that nothing spills.
• If you or your partner experienced burning or itching, try another type of condom and/or lubricant.