HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus. You may hear that someone is HIV infected, has HIV infection, or has HIV disease. These are all terms that mean the person has HIV in his or her body and can pass the virus to other people. HIV attacks the body’s immune system. The immune system protects the body from infections and disease, but has no clear way to protect it from HIV. Without … [Read more...]
Who is at risk for getting HIV?
January 27, 2012 By 1 Comment
A person of any age, sex, race, ethnic group, religion, economic background, or sexual orientation can get HIV. Those who are most at risk are; People who have “unprotected sex” with someone who has HIV. Unprotected sex means vaginal, anal, or oral sex without using a condom. people who share needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs, steroids, or even vitamins or medicine … [Read more...]
What are the symptoms of HIV infection?
January 26, 2012 By 1 Comment
Shortly after being infected with HIV, some people – but not all people – have flu-like symptoms (fever, muscle aches, feeling tired) that last a few days and then go away. This is sometimes called seroconversion illness or acute HIV infection. Most people with HIV have no symptoms for many years. However, even without symptoms, people who are newly infected have large amounts of HIV … [Read more...]