What is HIV?
HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS. A member of a group of viruses called retroviruses, HIV infects human cells and uses the energy and nutrients provided by those cells to grow and reproduce.

What is AIDS?
ACQUIRED IMMUNO-DEFICIENCY SYNDROME:

ACQUIRED means you get it from someone else.
IMMUNO-DEFICIENCY means your body cannot defend itself against certain illnesses.
SYNDROME means a collection of symptoms and signs which a doctor may recognize as a disease.
AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a disease in which the body's immune system breaks down and is unable to fight off certain infections, known as "opportunistic infections," and other illnesses that take advantage of a weakened immune system.

When a person is infected with HIV, the virus enters the body and lives and multiplies primarily in the white blood cells. These are the immune cells that normally protect us from disease. The hallmark of HIV infection is the progressive loss of a specific type of immune cell called T-helper or CD4 cells. As the virus grows, it damages or kills these and other cells, weakening the immune system and leaving the individual vulnerable to various infections and other illnesses.

How is it passed on?

HIV is usually transmitted through sexual activity. HIV is the most dangerous of all STI's. HIV can be transmitted:

By unprotected anal sex (when the man's penis enters the man's or woman's anus / back passage)
By unprotected vaginal sex (when the man's penis enters the woman's vagina)
By injecting drug users sharing needles
Through infected blood or blood products
From a HIV positive mother to her baby in the womb, during, during birth or breast feeding.
You may be HIV positive and not know it
Your sex or drug partner may be HIV positive and not know it.
You may look and feel healthy
Once the virus is in your body you are infected for the rest of your life and can infect others.

HIV is found in

Men's semen
Breast Milk
Women's vaginal fluids
Blood or blood products

How to reduce the risk of infection.

Always practice safe sex or safer sex. (use a condom)
Always use clean needles ( always go to a reliable practitioner for body piercing, ear-piercing, tattooing or for having acupuncture or electrolysis done) and ideally do not share.
Always treat spillages of blood as if they were infected.

What is safer sex?

When it comes to protection from HIV/AIDS the only truely safe sex is no sex at all.
Any sexual activity where there is no transfer of semen, vaginal fluids or blood is considered safe: for example, hugging, kissing, masturbation.
Any sexual activity, which reduces the risk of these fluids getting into another body is safer than not taking precautions.
Sexual intercourse is safe if neither partner has the virus, shares needles or has unsafe sex outside that relationship.

Can I get HIV from oral sex?

Oral sex (mouth or tongue genitals) may be less risky than anal or vaginal sex, but not entirely safe. The risk increases if there are cuts or sores on the vagina, penis, mouth or throat or if the women are menstruating (having a period).
To make oral sex safer, a condom or dental dam can be used.
 

What about other sources?

Ordinary everyday contact with a person living with HIV is considered perfectly safe.
There is a possible risk from sharing toothbrushes and razors. It is therefore advisable not to share them with others.
You can not get HIV from swimming pools, insect bites, sharing cutlery or cups, sharing the same washing or toilet facilities.
There is no risk from giving blood.

Do condoms prevent HIV?

A condom, properly used can help prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
Condoms are the only protection against HIV for penetrative sex. They do not however offer complete protection.
Check the safety standard symbols and expiry date.
Use water-based lubricants only.
It is advisable to correctly use a condom EVERY TIME you have sexual intercourse.

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