HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV attacks the body’s immune system. Persons infected with HIV are more likely to become ill from infections and disease that healthy persons usually can fight off. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a disease you get when HIV destroys your body’s immune system.
HIV is found in the blood, semen and vaginal secretions of infected people and can be spread in the following ways: Having unprotected sex — vaginal, anal or oral — with an HIV-infected person (male or female) Sharing needles or injection equipment with an HIV-infected person to inject drugs, including hormones, insulin or steroids From [...]
HIV is not spread through casual contact such as everyday activities that do not involve bodily fluids. You cannot get HIV by: Sitting next to someone Shaking hands Giving a hug Using public facilities (restrooms, drinking fountains, restaurants or swimming pools) Insect bites Donating blood Dry kissing (though kissing can spread other STDs such as [...]
Some people infected with HIV may feel healthy. Others may have symptoms that include unexplained tiredness, swollen glands or lymph nodes, dry cough or shortness of breath (not from a cold), fever, chills or night sweats, unexplained weight loss, persistent diarrhea or unusual spots on the skin or in the mouth. Remember, these symptoms are [...]
No. Many people with HIV show no signs of infection. However, being infected means HIV is in the body for the rest of their lives, and they can infect others if they engage in behaviors that can transmit the virus.
Abstinence is the only 100% effective way to prevent transmission of STDs, including HIV. This includes oral sex. Use a new latex condoms correctly every time you have vaginal, anal or oral. If you use a lubricant, be sure it is water-based. Avoid drugs and alcohol because they can increase your chances of infection and [...]
There is no cure for AIDS and, once you have HIV, you are infected for life. If you are infected with HIV, the virus slowly weakens your ability to fight illness. There are, however, treatments and medicines that can help your body resist the effects of the virus. They slow the growth of HIV and [...]
The only way to tell if you’ve been infected with HIV is to be tested. You should consider taking an HIV test if you are a man who has had sex with other men; you have shared injection needles or other equipment; you have had sex with one or more partners whose sex and drug-using [...]
The Wyoming Department of Health Communicable Disease Unit provides HIV prevention and educational materials. The Communicable Disease Unit provides vouchers for free laboratory testing and treatment at local public health and family planning clinics through our educational website www.knowyo.org. At this site you can also find clinics in your area that will test for STDs [...]
