Acquired – means that the disease is not hereditary but develops after birth from contact with a disease causing agent (in this case, HIV).

Immunodeficiency – means that the disease is characterized by a weakening of the immune system.

Syndrome – refers to a group of symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease. In the case of AIDS this can include the development of certain infections and/or cancers, as well as a decrease in the number of certain cells in a person’s immune system.

A diagnosis of AIDS is made by a physician using specific clinical or laboratory standards.*

To find your local testing center, please visit www.hivtest.org, call 1-800-CDC-INFO or email cdcinfo@cdc.gov.

Does everybody with HIV get AIDS? Prior to 1996, scientists estimated that about half the people with HIV would develop AIDS within 10 years after becoming infected. This time varied greatly from person to person and depended on many factors, including a person's health status and their health-related behaviors.

As with other diseases, early detection of infection allows for more options for treatment and preventative health care.*

How long does it take for someone who is infected with HIV to develop AIDS? Prior to 1996, scientists estimated that about half the people with HIV would develop AIDS within 10 years after becoming infected. This time varied greatly from person to person and depended on many factors, including a person's health status and their health-related behaviors.

Since 1996, the introduction of powerful anti-retroviral therapies has dramatically changed the progression time between HIV infection and the development of AIDS. There are also other medical treatments that can prevent or cure some of the illnesses associated with AIDS, though the treatments do not cure AIDS itself. Because of these advances in drug therapies and other medical treatments, estimates of how many people will develop AIDS and how soon are being recalculated, revised, or are currently under study.

As with other diseases, early detection of infection allows for more options for treatment and preventative health care.*

How can I tell if I have the virus that causes AIDS? The only way to know if you are infected is to be tested for HIV infection. You cannot rely on symptoms to know whether or not you are infected.

To find your local testing center, please visit www.hivtest.org, call 1-800-CDC-INFO or email cdcinfo@cdc.gov.

How is HIV spread? The virus is passed from one HIV/AIDS to another through:

4 Bodily fluids:
-blood
-semen
-vaginal fluid
-breastmilk

Should I be tested to find out if I have HIV? People who think they are at risk of HIV infection are encouraged to be tested. To find your local testing center, please visit www.hivtest.org, call 1-800-CDC-INFO or email cdcinfo@cdc.gov.

Can I get AIDS from open-mouth kissing?

On the Cheek : HIV is not transmitted casually, so kissing on the cheek is very safe. Even if the other person has the virus, your unbroken skin is a good barrier. No one has become infected from such ordinary social contact as dry kisses, hugs, and handshakes.

Open-Mouth Kissing : Open-mouth kissing is considered a very low-risk activity for the transmission of HIV. However, prolonged open-mouth kissing could damage the mouth or lips and allow HIV to pass from an infected person to a partner and then enter the body through cuts or sores in the mouth. Because of this possible risk, the CDC recommends against open-mouth kissing with an infected partner.*

Can I get AIDS from performing oral sex? Yes, it is possible for either partner to become infected with HIV through performing or receiving oral sex with an HIV infected person.*

Can only people with AIDS infect other people? No. All people with HIV, even if they are on combination drug therapy, can pass on the virus through bodily fluids. These body fluids have been shown to contain high concentrations of HIV:

• blood
• semen
• vaginal fluid
• breast milk
• other body fluids containing blood

The following are additional body fluids that may transmit the virus that health care workers may come into contact with:

• fluid surrounding the brain and the spinal cord
• fluid surrounding bone joints
• fluid surrounding an unborn baby*

What if I test positive for HIV? If you test positive for HIV, the sooner you take steps to protect your health, the better. Early medical treatment and a healthy lifestyle can help you stay well. Prompt medical care may delay the onset of AIDS and prevent some life-threatening conditions. There are a number of important steps you can take immediately to protect your health:

• See a licensed health care provider, even if you do not feel sick. Try to find a health care provider who has experience treating HIV. There are now many medications to treat HIV infection and help you maintain your health. It is never too early to start thinking about treatment possibilities.
• Have a TB (tuberculosis) test. You may be infected with TB and not know it. Undetected TB can cause serious illness, but it can be successfully treated if caught early.
• Smoking cigarettes, drinking too much alcohol, or using illegal drugs (such as methamphetamines) can weaken your immune system. There are programs available that can help you stop or reduce your use of these substances.
• Get screened for other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Undetected STDs can cause serious health problems. It is also important to practice safe-sex behaviors so you can avoid getting STDs.

There is much you can do to stay healthy. Learn all that you can about maintaining good health.

Not having (abstaining from) sex is the most effective way to avoid transmitting HIV to others.*

What does confidential and anonymous testing mean?

Anonymous testing—People who choose anonymous HIV testing are not required to provide their names; therefore, test results are not linked to any records with an identifying name (including the request for tests or test results).

Confidential testing—People who choose confidential testing provide their names, and testing information is documented in their record.*

Is there a cure for AIDS? Despite recent advances in treatment, we do not yet have a cure for AIDS, so HIV remains a lifelong issue for those infected.*

References:

*All information taken from: www.CDC.gov

CDC.gov ( www.cdc.gov) is your online source for credible health information and is the official Web site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Other Resources

Other frequent questions and answers are available at:

• www.cdc.gov
• www.AIDS.gov
• www.amfar.org
• www.aidsinfo.nih.gov
• www.until.org

-DISCLAIMER-

The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional advice, especially when making personal medical decisions. Always consult your physician. AIDS Alive provides links to third party websites. AIDS Alive, Inc. is not responsible for the content of any third party website, or the use you make of information found on third party websites.