HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV attacks the body’s immune system and weakens it over time until it cannot fight off infections and cancers that a healthy person can. There is no cure for HIV, but very effective treatment means HIV can now be classed as a long-term manageable condition. With this effective treatment people with HIV are living, long and healthy lives. But as with any long-term condition, being diagnosed with HIV can be a life-changing experience that can have a whole range of emotional and practical implications.
However, there are a range of services that offer support and guidance on all aspects your life with HIV.
If you are looking for more information then we recommend reading the basics about HIV via NAM and checking out their range of excellent leaflets.
What about AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is the name used to describe a combination of potentially life-threatening infections and cancers, which can develop when someone’s immune system has been damaged by untreated HIV. You cannot catch AIDS and there is no AIDS test. HIV causes AIDS and it is HIV that can be passed on. Just because someone has been diagnosed with an AIDS-related illness, does not mean they will die. Thanks to effective HIV treatment, many people who develop AIDS are now very well and can look forward to a long and healthy life.
How is HIV transmitted?
HIV is a blood borne virus that is present in the body fluids and tissues of a person living with HIV. Only blood, genital fluids (i.e. semen and vaginal fluids) and breast milk from an HIV infected person can transmit HIV.
The main ways HIV can be passed on to someone else are during unprotected sex (vaginal or anal), by sharing any equipment used to inject drugs, and from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, birth or through breastfeeding. But there are very effective ways of preventing HIV infection in all of these situations.
HIV cannot be transmitted through normal social contact. There is no risk to your friends and family from kissing, hugging or shaking hands – or any other social contact. You cannot get HIV by being in the same place as someone with HIV, or by sharing household items such as crockery, cutlery, or bed linen. HIV is not passed on by sneezing or coughing or sharing food and drink.
What is PrEP?
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis is a course of anti-HIV drugs which would be taken by people to lower the risk of becoming infected with HIV. Research suggests that PrEP is as effective as condoms at preventing HIV.
PrEP does not protect against any STIs other than HIV and it only protects the person taking PrEP.
For more information on PrEP and how you can access it, see the PrEP FAQ on the Sandyford Initiative website.