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HIV

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a serious virus that can damage the body's defence system, meaning it cannot fight off certain infections.

If someone with HIV goes on to get certain serious illnesses, this condition is called AIDS which stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

Signs and symptoms

Most people with HIV look and feel healthy for a long time, so you can't tell who has the virus just by looking at them.

How do you get it?

There are four main ways in which HIV can be passed on:

1. By having vaginal, anal or oral sex without a condom with someone who has HIV.
2. By using needles, syringes or other drug-injecting equipment that is infected with HIV.
3. From a woman with HIV to her baby (before or during birth) and by breastfeeding.
4. By receiving infected blood, blood products or donated organs as part of medical treatment. In the UK all blood, blood products and donated organs are screened for HIV and infected materials are destroyed. This may not be the case in some developing countries and in eastern Europe.

You cannot get HIV through:

Kissing, touching, hugging, shaking hands
Sharing crockery and cutlery
Coughing or sneezing
Contact with toilet seats
Insect or animal bites
Eating food prepared by someone with HIV.

Testing and treatment

An HIV test involves taking a blood sample, which is then checked for antibodies to HIV.

There is still no cure for HIV although drugs have been developed which mean that most people can stay well for longer.