More about the HIV Virus
What is HIV?
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV attacks the body’s immune system CD4 cells (T cells). These cells help the immune system fight off infections. If left untreated, HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells (T cells) in the body. Over time, HIV can destroy so many T cells that the body is unable to prevent or fight infections and/or diseases. This leaves the person susceptible to other opportunistic infections and cancers.
HIV Transmission
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV attacks the body’s immune system CD4 cells (T cells). These cells help the immune system fight off infections. If left untreated, HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells (T cells) in the body. Over time, HIV can destroy so many T cells that the body is unable to prevent or fight infections and/or diseases. This leaves the person susceptible to other opportunistic infections and cancers.
HIV Transmission
- HIV can be concentrated enough in blood, semen, vaginal fluids, anal fluids or breast milk to allow for transmission when exposed to the mucous membranes of the other person (inside the anus, vagina, mouth and throat).
- Only 5 body fluids can contain enough HIV to infect someone:
- Blood, semen (including pre-cum), rectal fluid, vaginal fluid, breast milk
- HIV can only get passed when one of these fluids from a person with HIV gets into the bloodstream of another person—through broken skin, the opening of the penis or the wet linings of the body, such as the vagina, rectum or foreskin.
- HIV cannot pass through healthy, unbroken skin.
- The two main ways that HIV can get passed between you and someone
else are:- through sex
- by sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs
(including steroids or hormones)
- HIV can also be passed:
- by sharing needles or ink to get a tattoo
- by sharing needles or jewelry to get a body piercing
- by sharing acupuncture needles
- to a fetus or baby during pregnancy
- birth or breastfeeding