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HIV and AIDs

Stands For: "Human Immunodeficiency Virus" and "Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome"

If you are worried that you may have caught HIV then you must go to your GP. They will talk to you in complete confidence and book you a blood test to see if you have the HIV antibodies in your blood. If you have had unprotected sex you will have to wait before the HIV test will work because it takes at least three months after infection for the HIV antibodies to appear in your blood. You can call the National Aids Helpline free on 0800 567 123.

What is HIV?

HIV affects men and women. The virus damages the body's immune system so that over time it becomes vulnerable to illness and infections.

What is AIDS?

AIDS is caused by HIV. When a person has AIDS it means their immune system is very weak and they have developed certain infections or cancers. These can be fatal.

How is it passed on?

HIV is mainly passed on in the following ways:

By unprotected vaginal or anal sex.
Receiving infected blood or donated organs.
By sharing needles or syringes when injecting drugs.
A pregnant woman with HIV can pass it on to her baby during birth, although there is now a very effective treatment to help prevent this. HIV can also be passed on through breastfeeding

Signs and symptoms

A flu-like illness may occur shortly after getting infected with HIV, but most people don't notice they have become infected.
Symptoms vary from person to person and occur when the immune system is so damaged that other infections begin to cause health problems. It mainly causes ill health by damaging the immune system, leading to serious infections and cancers.

Tests and treatment

The only way to establish if a person has the virus is for them to have an HIV test.
After a discussion about the test and the consequences of the result, a sample of blood will be taken and tested. It is necessary to wait three months after infection might have occurred before doing the HIV test.
There is no cure for HIV. However, drugs are available to slow down the damage that HIV does to the immune system. People who are HIV positive can now stay healthy for many years with anti-HIV drugs.

Long Term effects

When HIV leads to more serious infections and associated cancers, then you're said to have developed Aids. While treatment for HIV/Aids has improved a lot recently, there are still no cures.

Remember that sex is illegal if you’re under 16.

For more STI info: www.ruthinking.co.uk, www.fpa.org.uk, STD Factfile

National Aids Helpline- 0800 567 123