HIV
(human immunodeficiency virus)

What is HIV?
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) represents the early clinical stage of a viral disease that causes severe, progressive damage to the immune system and other organ systems of the body. Two types of HIV have been identified: type I (HIV-1) and type 2 (HIV-2). Both types produce similar diseases. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) represents the late clinical stage of infection with HIV. AIDS was first recognized as a distinct syndrome in 1981. Most people with HIV will go on to develop AIDS.

How do you get it?
You get HIV primarily through sexual contact with infected persons or by infection with contaminated blood or blood products. It is NOT spread by casual contact such as in shaking hands, playing sports, or working together. Neither is it spread through objects used by HIV infected persons such as toilets, door knobs, pencils, chairs, or cups. It is not spread through the air by sneezing or coughing. While the virus has been found in saliva, tears, urine, and mucous secretions, transmission by exposure to these fluids has not yet been reported.

What are the symptoms of HIV?
More than a dozen viral and bacterial infections and several cancers have been associated with HIV infection. Some of the non-specific symptoms that may appear include swollen lymph glands, loss of apetite, chronic diarrhea, weight loss, fever, and fatigue.

When do symptoms start?
A flu-like illness initially appears 2 weeks to several months after infection with HIV. The flu-like illness usually lasts for a couple of weeks. Then, a highly variable period follows, usually lasting 2 months to 10 years or longer, where the patient appears to be free of any clinical disease. However, once clinical symptoms begin, most infected persons eventually go on to develop AIDS.

How is HIV diagnosed?
When persons are infected with HIV, they develop antibodies to fight the infection. The HIV antibodies may not be detectable in the blood for 2 weeks to 3 months (rarely more than 6 months) after infection with the virus. Persons are usually diagnosed with HIV infection by testing HIV-positive for antibodies on the HIV blood test.

For how long is a person with HIV contagious?
An infected person may be contagious early after HIV infection and throughout life.

What is the treatment for HIV?
There is no known cure for HIV infection or the late stage of the disease, AIDS. Early diagnosis and use of selected experimental medicines may temporarily prolong life and reduce the risk of developing life threatening infections.

How do you keep from getting it?
Avoid sexual intercourse (anal, vaginal, or oral) with anyone who might be infected with HIV. There is no risk of HIV transmission in a long-term, monogamous relationship between persons who are not infected with HIV.

Use latex condoms that are free of petroleum-based lubricants to reduce the risk of sexual transmission.

Do not share needles to inject street drugs.

Use care in handling, using, and disposing of needles or other sharp instruments. Health care workers should use latex gloves when handling blood or body fluids that are visibly bloody.

For more information on AIDS, call the National AIDS Hotline toll-free at 800-342-AIDS (1-800-342-2437) or TTY at 800-AIDS-TTY (1-800-243-7889).