AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, a disease that
makes it difficult for the body to fight off infectious diseases.
The human immunodeficiency virus known as HIV causes AIDS by infecting
and damaging part of the body's defenses against infection, namely
the white blood cells known as CD4 helper lymphocytes (pronounced:
lim-fuh-sites).
The only known way for the HIV virus to be transmitted from one
person to another is when it is spread from the inside of an infected
person's body to the inside of another person's body. This can happen
when infected fluids - such as semen (also known as "cum,"
the fluid released from the penis when a male ejaculates), vaginal
fluids, or blood - are passed from one person to another. A person
can become infected even if only tiny amounts of these fluids are
spread.
How does someone become infected? HIV can be spread through sexual
intercourse if one of the partners has the virus. The virus can
be spread through an infected person's blood, semen, and secretions
from the cervix (part of a female's uterus) or vagina. HIV can travel
to another person through cuts and sores on the penis, rectum (the
last part of the intestine that connects to the anus), vagina, or
skin around the genitals and probably the mouth and other mucous
membranes. These cuts or sores are often so small that a person
isn't even aware of them. Girls and guys who have a discharge (an
abnormal fluid coming from the vagina or penis) or genital sores
because they have a sexually transmitted disease are at increased
risk for infection. HIV can be spread sexually from a man to a woman,
a woman to a man, a man to a man, and a woman to a woman.
People who inject themselves with drugs also risk infecting themselves
with HIV. Many people who use needles to take intravenous drugs
or steroids share the needles with others. If a person with HIV
shares a needle, he or she also shares the virus, which lives in
the tiny amounts of blood attached to the needle. Sharing needles
can also pass hepatitis and other serious infections to another
person.
Also, a newborn baby is at risk of getting the HIV virus from his
or her mother if she is infected. This can happen before the baby
is born, during birth, or through breastfeeding. Pregnant teens
and women should be tested for HIV because infected women who receive
treatment for HIV are much less likely to spread the virus to their
babies. Babies born to mothers infected with HIV are also given
special medicines to try to prevent HIV infection.
If you have never had sex and you don't inject drugs, you don't need
to worry about whether you have HIV. But if you have had sex or are
planning to in the future, HIV is definitely something you should
be prepared to prevent. If you do have sex, using latex condoms properly
every time can help protect you. Condoms work by providing a barrier
to the body fluids that can be shared during sexual activity (including
oral sex). Always follow the directions exactly and never use the
same condom twice.
Asking people if they have HIV is not a reliable way of finding
out whether they are infected. People may not answer truthfully.
They may be embarrassed to tell you or may not want you to know.
Or they may not even know they have the virus because it can take
many years for symptoms to develop. An infected person will look
healthy for many years and can still spread the virus. The most
certain way of preventing HIV infection is by not having sex (abstinence)
and by not sharing needles to do drugs.
There are many places you can get more information about HIV and
AIDS, personal counseling, and, when appropriate, testing. Talk
with your doctor about any concerns you might have.
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