ASHA remains an independent, unbiased source of information on sexual health. We are guided by science, not ideology. READ MORE.
ASHA remains an independent, unbiased source of information on sexual health. We are guided by science, not ideology. READ MORE.

American Sexual
Health Association

HIV:
Fast Facts

  • HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
  • Without treatment, HIV infection can lead to AIDS. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
  • HIV can be transmitted through the blood, sexual fluids, or breast milk of an HIV-infected person.
  • In the United States, about 1.2 million people are living with HIV, and almost one in eight don’t know they are infected.
  • There are many ways to prevent HIV, including condoms, PrEP, PEP, and antiviral treatment.
  • Getting tested is the first step to finding out if you have HIV.

How does someone get HIV?

HIV can be transmitted through the blood, sexual fluids (semen, preseminal fluid, rectal fluid, or vaginal fluid) or breast milk of an HIV-infected person. People can get HIV one of these fluids enters the body by way of the mucous membranes (the soft, moist skin found in any opening of the body) or the bloodstream.

The virus can be passed during vaginal, anal or oral sex with a HIV-infected person. An HIV-infected mother can transmit HIV to her infant during pregnancy, delivery or while breastfeeding. People can also become infected with HIV when using injection drugs through sharing needles and other equipment (or works) including cookers and cottons with someone who is infected.

The risk of transmission varies with the type of exposure (e.g. sexual, needle sharing, etc.) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers a table quantifying the this HIV transmission risk that comes from different types of exposures.

Body fluids that can transmit HIV
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Can I get HIV from casual contact?

No. HIV is not transmitted by day-to-day contact in social settings, schools or in the workplace. You cannot be infected by shaking someone’s hand, by hugging someone, by using the same toilet or drinking from the same glass as an HIV-positive person, playing sports with or by being exposed to coughing or sneezing by anyone living with HIV. There is no evidence that HIV is spread through kissing. So you should not be fearful of interacting with persons who are living with the disease.

Ways HIV is Not transmitted
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

What are the symptoms of HIV?

Many people infected with HIV don’t know that they have become infected, because they don’t have any symptoms of infection. But some people do experience a flu-like illness with fever, rash, joint pains and enlarged lymph nodes. If an immune reaction to HIV occurs, it usually takes place between 2 to 4 weeks after HIV infection has happened.

A person with HIV may look healthy and feel good, but they can still pass the virus to others, especially during the initial infection period. You cannot tell if someone has HIV by just looking at them. The only way to determine whether HIV is present in a person’s body is by testing.

How does HIV become AIDS?

AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is a disease caused by HIV. HIV infects cells of the human immune system and destroys or impairs their function. Infection with this virus leads to slow destruction of a persons’ immune system making them more susceptible to many kinds of infections. Once a person with HIV develops any one of a number of rare infections or cancers—tuberculosis, pneumonia, candidiases or tumors—they are said to have AIDS.

How effective is treatment?

The introduction of powerful anti-retroviral therapies has made a dramatic impact. With antiretroviral therapy (called ART), people with HIV can live long and healthy lives. The goal of HIV treatment is to reduce the amount of virus in the blood, called viral load. Treatment can reduce the viral load to undetectable levels, and the virus cannot be passed on to HIV-negative partners through sex. This called U=U: undetectable. equals untransmitable.

How safe is the U.S. blood supply?

The U.S. blood supply is very safe. The risk for HIV from blood products and donated organs or tissues is extremely low because of rigorous testing. There is also no risk for HIV when donating blood.

Can HIV be transmitted by injectible drug use?

Yes. Sharing needles puts injecting drug users (IDUs) at risk for many blood-borne diseases, including hepatitis B and C, as well as HIV. It is recommended that a person never reuse or share works (cookers, cottons, syringes, needles, water.) New needles, from a reliable source, should be used every time. Swabbing the sight with alcohol can help prevent other types of infections. Safely dispose of needles after using.

If new equipment is not available, syringes disinfected to reduce the risk of transmission. This fact sheet from CDC discusses the process.

How can I prevent HIV?

There are lots of ways to prevent HIV.

  • Using condoms correctly every time you have sex
  • Using PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) PrEP involves taking a pill or getting regular injections to prevent HIV infection in someone who is HIV-negative
  • Talking with your partner about ways to protect yourselves while enjoying a fun and passion filled experience
  • Getting tested and knowing your status
  • For someone who is HIV positive, antiretroviral therapy can reduce the amount of HIV in the blood. When the viral load is not detectable, it is untransmitable.

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