HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus believed to cause AIDS. When someone has HIV (is HIV+), their body has a hard time fighting off infections and diseases. Anybody can get HIV.
You should know that at least 20% of people who find out they have AIDS are in their 20s. These people probably got HIV when they were in high school, because it can take years for an HIV+ person to develop AIDS.
HIV is transmitted from one person to another when certain body fluids are mixed-blood (including menstrual blood), semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk.
This is how you can get HIV:- having vaginal or anal "intercourse" without a condom
- licking someone's clit or dick without a condom or plastic wrap
- sharing needles
- from mother to child during pregnancy, birth, and breast feeding
- receiving a blood transfusion (luckily HIV is rarely transmitted this way anymore)
- kissing, sweat, tears
- hugging
- food
- toilet seats
- swimming pools
- giving blood
HIV is a virus, and viruses don't discriminate. It doesn't matter who you are -- gay, straight, or bisexual -- you can get HIV if you have unsafe sex.
What matters is how you do what you do.
treating HIV/AIDS
There is no cure for AIDS, but there are treatments. People with AIDS often take a combination of prescription drugs that may reduce the amount of virus in their bodies. Taking the drugs as prescribed is important, as the virus can build resistance. No long-term information is known. Some people do not benefit from these treatments.
| <
| Contents
| >
|
anybody can get HIV
viruses don't discriminate
what matters is how you do what you do