HIV

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) attacks the body’s immune system, weakening the body’s ability to fight off disease and infection. When this happens, a person’s white blood cell count decreases, which makes them unable to fight off even common illnesses and can therefore become deadly. With time, HIV usually progresses into AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) making it the most dangerous STI.

How is it spread?

Through vaginal, anal or oral sex, contact with bodily fluids (blood, saliva, semen, vaginal secretions or breast milk), sharing needles, pricks with infected needles, blood transfusions (rarely in America), childbirth and breastfeeding.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

HIV doesn’t always show symptoms, or symptoms won’t show up until months or years after infection. So being tested by a medical professional is the best way to catch HIV.

Since it can take more than 3 months for the HIV antibodies to show up in blood tests, its important to always repeat the test a few months after a negative result.

Treatment

Although HIV cannot be cured, it can be treated with a combination of drugs that can prevent the virus from progressing into AIDS.

How to protect yourself from HIV

• ALWAYS use condoms for vaginal, anal and oral sex.
• Decrease your number of sexual partners
• Avoid high–risk sexual practices like anal sex, oral–anal sex or unprotected sex.
• Don’t share needles with others and avoid having sex with people who use drugs that require needle usage.
• Don’t allow urine to come into contact with your mouth, anus, eyes or open cuts.
• Have annual or semi–annual HIV tests, and encourage your partner(s) to do the same.