The facts

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV affects the body’s immune system, attacking the body’s defences against disease making it less able to fight infections and more vulnerable to illnesses. The HIV virus is found in semen, blood, vaginal fluids and breast milk and is passed on by:

  • having unprotected vaginal or anal sex without a condom
  • having unprotected oral sex
  • sharing syringes or needles to inject drugs
  • from an infected mother to baby during pregnancy or through breastfeeding

If left untreated, HIV can cause AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) seriously harming the body’s immune system, resulting in serious illness and disease. It is not possible to catch AIDS. AIDS can only develop in someone already infected with HIV.

Although there is no cure for HIV, medical treatment is available to slow down the spread of the virus in the body, and help people to live longer and healthier lives. A person living with HIV is said to be HIV positive.

The term AIDS describes specific infections and illnesses resulting from the damage HIV does to the body’s immune system

How could I get HIV?

Anyone can become infected with HIV if they put themselves at risk, for example, if someone has many sexual partners and doesn't practice safer sex or sharing needles. Some communities in the UK have higher rates of infection, such as men who have sex with men (MSM) and African men and women.

You can get HIV:

How much do you know about HIV?

What does HIV stand for?

Worried about HIV?

Worry is usually due to lack of knowledge or fear.

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Protection

Although there is no cure for HIV you can protect yourself and your partner by practising safer sex and having regular sexual health checks.

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