HIV & AIDS

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV attacks the body's immune system*, making it weak and less able to fight off diseases. When a person is confirmed to have been infected by HIV, the person is said to be HIV-positive (HIV+). This does not necessarily mean that the person has AIDS.

*Our immune system consists of white blood cells, which fight and kill any germs and viruses that enter our body.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

AIDS is the name given to a group of illnesses which occur in HIV+ people as a result of a weakened immune system.

HIV can be transmitted :
1. through unsafe sexual practices including unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex (unsafe sex is without using latex condoms).
2. through sharing of needle or injecting equipment.
3. from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding.

What is safer sex?
Safer sex is ant sex where semen, vaginal fluid or blood does not come into direct contact with the internal membrane of another person.
* Safer sex is sex (vaginal, anal and oral) with latex condoms and water-based lubricants such as K-Y jelly.
* Safer sex is touching, rubbing or mutual masturbation where neither partner has cut or rasher on their hands.

These methods are called "safer" since they minimize risks, but cannot eliminate them completely. Sexual activity will always maintain some risk if there is a chance one partner is infected with HIV. Safer sex can also prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), which increase the risk of HIV transmission. STDs make it easier for HIV to infect cells.