HIV

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)

AIDS

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is the most severe stage of HIV (Stage 3).

HOW IS HIV CONTACTED

 In most cases, people who have HIV are infected by having unprotected sex with someone who has the virus.  i.e through anal or vaginal sex,  through sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment (such as cookers).

HIV can also be passed on from mother to baby during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding.

CAN KISSING CAUSE HIV?

It is impossible to catch HIV from kissing. In addition to blood, semen, and vaginal fluids, saliva is not a source of HIV transmission.

The virus can’t survive outside the body, you can’t get HIV by touching, hugging, or kissing. Also, cant be transmitted from coughs, sneezes, or sharing food.

HOW DO YOU GET HIV??

HIV can be found in blood semen breast milk, vaginal fluids, and anal mucus.

It can be passed on when these fluids enter another person’s body for example through sex.

The virus in someone’s fluid or semen can pass into their partner’s body through the mucous membrane of their vagina, anus, or the top of their penis.

TREATMENT HELPS PREVENT TRANSMISSION TO OTHERS

If you take your HIV drug as prescribed, the amount of HIV in your blood i.e your VIRAL LOAD wil become so low that a test can’t detect it, this is called being undetectable. keeping an undetectable VIRAL LOAD can keep you healthy. 

And also If you have an undetectable viral load, you have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV to an HIV-negative partner through sex. 

YOU CAN PROTECT YOURSELF FROM HIV BY

 Using condoms, taking prep, and not sharing injecting equipment

DO I HAVE HIV?

HIV testing is the only way to determine whether you are infected. The virus can cause symptoms, but they are not reliable indicators of infection. There are some people who won’t have any symptoms at all. 

WHAT IS HIV TREATMENT?

HIV treatment involves taking medicine that reduces the amount of HIV in your body.

  • There is no effective cure for HIV. But with proper medical care, you can control HIV.
  • HIV medicine is called antiretroviral therapy (ART).
  • Most people can get the virus under control within six months.
  • Taking HIV medicine does not prevent the transmission of other sexually transmitted diseases.