By Marissa
HIV, which stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is the virus that can lead to AIDS. This virus is particularly dangerous because unlike other viruses, the human body cannot get rid of HIV. That means that once you have HIV, you have it for life. There are nearly 1.2 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S., and that number grows by about 50,000 each year. Anyone can get HIV: men, women, gay, or straight, and that’s why you should know these facts:
- Only certain fluids – blood, semen (cum), pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum), rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk – from an HIV-infected person can transmit HIV. That means you can get HIV through contact with any of these bodily fluids from an infected person.
- In the United States, HIV is spread mainly by having sex with someone who has HIV or sharing drug injection equipment, such as needles, with someone who has HIV. Less common ways of transmission are being born to an infected mother and receiving blood transfusions that are contaminated with HIV.
- Of the 1.2 million in the U.S. living with HIV/AIDS, about 14% do not know they are infected. This is because symptoms of HIV/AIDS are not always obvious. It can be months or years before you feel sick or have any serious signs, but you can still pass HIV to others. Though some people have no symptoms, signs of HIV may include: rapid weight loss, fever, diarrhea, night sweats, or feeling very tired.
- The only way to know for sure if you have HIV/AIDS is to get tested. The test for HIV usually requires a blood sample. Many health centers offer rapid testing using a sample from a cheek swab or a blood sample.
- There are precautions you can take to protect against HIV/AIDS. If you’re sexually active, the best way to avoid HIV is by being mutually monogamous with someone who’s been tested for HIV. Using a condom consistently (every time you have vaginal or anal sex) and correctly (putting it on right and checking the expiration date) greatly reduces your risk of getting HIV.
You should also know that testing positive for HIV is not a death sentence and does not necessarily mean you have AIDS. Today HIV is a manageable disease that you can live with for many, many years. The sooner you get into proper treatment and care for HIV, the better, so if you think you may be at risk for testing positive, get tested ASAP at a clinic near you.
In order to avoid the side effects of HIV/AIDS down the line, like most STDs, prevention is key. Practice safe sex (if you’re sexually active) and be aware of times when you may come into contact with bodily fluids of someone who is infected with HIV.