This document provides information about HIV and AIDS, including how HIV is spread, how it is not spread, and ways to prevent the spread of HIV. The key points are: - HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV can be spread through sexual contact, sharing needles, or from mother to child during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding. - People infected with HIV may look and feel healthy but can still spread the virus. Only a test can show if someone has HIV. - HIV is not spread through everyday casual contact. People cannot get HIV when they give blood, as all donated blood is screened and tested. - To prevent the spread of HIV, people can choose not to have

1. KEY POINTS
•
•
•
•
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS
AIDS is a result of HIV infection
HIV infection can be prevented
HIV is not spread through everyday casual
contact
• People cannot get HIV when they give
blood

2. HIV INFECTION
• People infected with HIV
– May look and feel healthy for a long time
– Can infect others even if they don’t look or feel
sick
– May have symptoms that are like those of many
other illnesses

3. HIV INFECTION
• When people develop AIDS they may get
illnesses that healthy people usually don’t
get.
• Only a test can show if someone is infected
with HIV
• Only a doctor can diagnose AIDS

4. HOW HIV IS NOT SPREAD
HIV is not spread
through every day
casual contact

5. HOW HIV IS SPREAD
• HIV is spread
– By having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an
infected person
– By sharing needles or syringes with an infected
person
– During pregnancy, birth, or breast feeding from
an infected mother to her baby

6. HOW IS HIV SPREAD
• Body fluids of an infected person that
spread HIV
–
–
–
–
Semen
Blood
Vaginal Fluid
Breast Milk

7. STOPPING THE SPREAD OF
HIV
People can choose
not to have sex!

8. STOPPING THE SPREAD OF
HIV
• People can choose
other ways to be
affectionate that do not
spread HIV infection
and other STDs

9. STOPPING THE SPREAD OF
HIV
• If people have sex, using the latex condoms
the right way every time greatly reduces the
risk of HIV infection and other STDs

10. ALCOHOL, DRUGS AND HIV
• Drinking alcohol or
taking drugs my make
people take the
following risks related
to HIV:
– Having sex without
using a latex condom
– Sharing needles and
syringes

11. STOPPING THE SPREAD OF
HIV
• If people inject non
prescribed drugs (like
heroin, cocaine, or
amphetamines) they
can prevent HIV
infection by
– Using new, sterile
equipment every time
– Never sharing needles
or syringes

12. STOPPING THE SPREAD OF
HIV
• The most effective way to prevent HIV
infection through injection drug use is to get
into treatment to stop injecting drugs
• When more effective prevention is not
possible, clean drug equipment with bleach
• Dispose of needles safely
• Remember, drugs or alcohol can impair
judgment.

13. HIV TESTING
• People who think they
are at risk of HIV
infection are
encouraged to seek
individual counseling
and testing.
• Do not donate blood to
get tested for HIV.

14. BLOOD SUPPLY
• The risk of getting HIV
from a blood transfusion
in the US is extremely
low.
– All blood donors are
screened for their risk of
HIV
– All donated blood is tested
– All blood that tests positive
for signs of HIV is
destroyed.