What is HIV? – HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It attacks the immune system, making it difficult for the body to fight off infections.

What is AIDS? – AIDS stands for Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome. It is the disease that ensues when HIV has severely weakened the immune system. Certain diseases such as pneumonias, cancers, and tuberculosis become common with an AIDS diagnosis. It can take years for someone with HIV to progress to AIDS, even without treatment.

How many people are infected with HIV? – From 2006 statistics, it is estimated that there are almost 40 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS. A majority of these are children under 15 years old. In the United States, there were estimated to be 1.1 million people with HIV/AIDS in 2006. Three-quarters of these are men and unlike the world HIV population, about 95% are adults aged 20 or older. It is very important to test for HIV because 1 in 5 of these 1.1 million people do not know they are infected.

How is HIV transmitted? – HIV is found in blood, semen, preejaculate, vaginal fluids, and breast milk of pregnant women. Having sex (vaginal, anal, oral), sharing needles, or exposing infected blood into your bloodstream are the most common ways of getting infected. HIV positive mothers may also infect their babies before or during birth and also while breastfeeding. HIV is a very fragile virus and cannot live outside the body for a long time. Because of this, everyday contact such as hugging or shaking hands will not transmit the virus. The virus is insignificantly found in saliva, tears, sweat, or stool/urine so you cannot become infected from sharing utensils, sharing drinks, casual kissing, using toilet seats, or touching objects (unless there is blood in these fluids).

How can you prevent infection? – The easiest way to prevent infection is to abstain from sex. If you are sexually active, use latex condoms and lubricant for all sexual contact. If you are using injectable drugs, do not share needles and be careful about exposing yourself to other people’s blood.

How do you test for HIV? – The test for HIV is very simple. The tests measure antibodies that your body makes against the HIV virus. Antibodies are what the body makes to identify and fight bacteria and viruses. Most people will have enough antibodies to detect HIV within 3 months, but for some people it can up to 6 months. HIV testing is usually done on blood, oral fluid, or urine samples. The test results can be read as quickly as 20 minutes in some cases but any positive results are always confirmed with another test that can take a few days. Your regular doctor can perform the test. You can also visit HIVtest.org or call 1-800-CDC-INFO to find a testing site.

What are the symptoms of HIV infection? – You cannot rely on symptoms to determine HIV infection. The symptoms are not specific and can be symptoms of other illnesses. The only real way of knowing your status is to get tested.

What is a CD4+ count? – A CD4+ cell is a type of white blood cell that fights infection and disease in the body. HIV infects and destroys these cells, making it difficult to fight diseases. A count of the CD4+ cells is a way for your doctor to tell how much damage HIV has done. The higher this number is, the better your body is able to defend itself against diseases.

What is a viral load? – The viral load is the number of viruses present in your body. You want this number to be as low as possible. Taking antiretroviral medications can make this level undetectable.

What medications are available for people with HIV/AIDS? – Many medications have become available for those living with HIV/AIDS. Currently there are over 20 medications that work in 5 different ways to fight the virus. Many combinations of these drugs exist in 1 pill so that it’s easier to take for patients. Medications can make the viral load in a person’s body undetectable, but this is achieved only if the person is consistent with taking prescriptions.

Is there a cure for HIV infection?– Currently, there is no cure for HIV. This is because the virus is very tricky and is continually mutating, making it hard for the body to detect and get rid of. The use of medications can effectively control the virus in the body however, leading to lower viral loads and decreasing the damage that it can do. Even though medications can lower the amount of viruses to “undetectable”, a person will not ever be able to rid themselves of the infection.