About HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS Frequently Asked Questions
What is HIV/AIDS?
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The virus weakens your immune system and makes it harder for your body to fight off illness. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is a series of infections caused HIV.
How is HIV different from AIDS?
HIV is a virus that causes AIDS. A virus cannot grow and multiply by itself. It needs a host to reproduce. HIV needs humans to reproduce and makes the immune system not work properly.
AIDS is a serious condition where your body’s defense system against some illnesses breaks down. A healthy person’s body can fight diseases easier than a person with AIDS. A person with AIDS can get many different kinds of diseases because their immune system is weakened.
How many people have AIDS?
The estimated number of newly diagnosed AIDS cases in 2005 was estimated to be 45,669. Adults and adolescent AIDS cases totaled 44,140. Roughly 32,430 cases were male and 11,710 cases female. 58 cases were estimated in children under 13 years old.
Overall, approximately 988,376 cases of AIDS in the United States have been reported (2005).
How many adolescents have AIDS?
In 2005, there were:
- 66 new cases among 13-14 year olds,
- 476 new cases among 15-19 year olds, and
- 2,004 new cases among 20-24 year olds.
Overall, there have been:
- 1,015 cases among 13-14 year olds,
- 5,309 cases among 15-19 year olds, and
- 34,987 among 20-24 year olds.
How many people are HIV positive?
The estimated number of HIV positive cases in 2005 were estimated to be 38,133. Adults and adolescent HIV positive cases totaled 37,930. Roughly 28,037 cases were male and 9,893 cases female. There were166 cases estimated in children under 13 years old.
How many adolescents are HIV positive?
In 2005, there were:
- 43 new cases among 13-14 year olds,
- 1,225 new cases among 15-19 year olds,
- 3,904 new cases among 20-24 year olds.
How is HIV transmitted?
HIV can be transmitted from an infected person to another through the following:
- Semen,
- Breast milk,
- Direct blood contact like a blood transfusion and use of drug needles,
- Mother-to-baby contact (before or during birth, or through breast milk).
HIV cannot be spread through normal contact such as coughing, sneezing, hugging, or kissing.
What can I do to protect myself against HIV?
There are many ways to protect yourself from HIV. You can:
- Have safe sex by using a barrier method contraceptive like a condom or diaphragm.
- Use a clean sterilized needle and not reuse or share needles.
- Talk openly to your sexual partners about your past and current sexual history.
- Abstain from having sex.
How long does it take for HIV to cause AIDS?
The time it takes between being infected with HIV and being diagnosed with AIDS depends on each person and a lot of different factors. Now there are many drugs that can be used to help people infected with HIV. Lots of people do not know exactly when they were infected with HIV so the time between this happening and then being diagnosed with AIDS can vary.
How do I know if I have HIV?
Sometimes a person who has HIV is asymptomatic, which means the person does not show any symptoms. The only way to know is to get tested.
What is an HIV test?
The HIV test looks for antibodies to HIV. Antibodies are produced by your body to fight off certain infections.
How do I get tested?
The Horizons Project provides free and confidential testing services. The Horizons Project uses Orasure®, an oral test that is over 99 percent accurate.