Living with HIV
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It’s the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). We’ll help you understand the signs and symptoms of HIV and AIDS. And we'll share info about prevention.
What is HIV?
HIV weakens your immune system. It makes it harder for your body to fight infections. And over time, it increases your chances of getting more infections, diseases or cancers. There's no cure for HIV yet. But with the right medical care, it can be treated. HIV spreads through bodily fluids, like:
- Blood
- Semen
- Vaginal and rectal fluids
- Breast milk
What are the symptoms of HIV?
A person might not show HIV symptoms for years. You should get a blood test done if you think you’ve been infected. Symptoms may be mild at first. But they may get worse and last longer over time. Some symptoms of HIV may include:
- Swollen lymph glands
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Diarrhea
- Skin rashes
- Sores
What is AIDS?
AIDS is the last stage of HIV. You’ll want to follow all your doctor’s instructions closely if you have this diagnosis. AIDS severely affects your nervous system and attacks your immune system. By this point in the infection, you may have:
- A serious cancer
- Seizures or memory loss
- Symptoms of another chronic disease
How can I prevent HIV?
You can prevent HIV infection by:
- Using condoms when you have sex
- Not sharing needles with other people
- Limiting your number of sexual partners
- Keeping your cuts clean
