STI - Sexually Transmitted Infections (pamphlet)

HIV

What is it?

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired  Immunodeficiency Syndrome).  HIV attacks your body’s immune system leaving it unable to fight certain infections.  People with healthy immune systems can fight these infections off;  people with HIV may not be able to.  When a person has HIV and becomes sick from one or more of these infections, they have AIDS.  A person with HIV may not develop AIDS for many years.

How do you get it?

You can only get HIV by having the virus enter your bloodstream. The virus can be found in and transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluid or breast milk.  You can get HIV by having unprotected sex (vaginal, anal or oral), by sharing needles or other drug use equipment (cookers, water, filters, etc.) and razors or toothbrushes that have blood on them.  If you are female you can pass the virus on to your baby during pregnancy or while breast feeding.  HIV CANNOT be passed through casual contact such as hugging, kissing, shaking hands, sharing food or toilet seats.

How can you tell if you have it?

You can have HIV and not know it because you may have no symptoms for many years.  You may develop a mild flu, 2-4 weeks after becoming infected.  If you had risky behaviour as listed above you many want to get tested. It is important to wait for 12 weeks after your last risky behaviour or the test may not be accurate.  Remember, you could still pass on the virus to someone else without knowing you have it.

How do you get tested?

You can get a special blood test.

When you have sex with someone, you are having sex with everyone they have had sex with; and everyone they have had sex with; and so on, and so on, and so on.