What is HIV?
		How can I become infected?
		What then is AIDS?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

The virus (pictured below) attacks part of the body`s immune system.

In order for someone to become infected, sufficient amounts of HIV must enter the bloodstream. HIV is found in some, but not all of the body fluids. The body fluids that contain enough HIV to infect someone are:

Blood
Seminal fluid (semen/spunk/cum)
Vaginal fluids/menstrual fluids
Breast milk

The HIV Virus

To become infected you need to:
A) first come into contact with a body fluid that contains HIV.
B) The HIV infected body fluid then needs to be able to get into your blood stream by the following methods:

Directly into the bloodstream: for example by using a needle in a vein.
From a pregnant woman to her baby (also called vertical transmission) during pregnancy, during birth or during breastfeeding.
Through unprotected penetrative anal or vaginal sex through broken or inflamed skin.

In the past people in the UK were infected by blood transfusions or treatments for Haemophilia. Screening now takes place to ensure that this no longer happens.

If you are worried about HIV infection there is a simple formula to use to work out if there is a risk of HIV infection.

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. This is a medical label given to someone who develops or has developed one or more of a range of specific illnesses because HIV has weakened their immune system.

HIV and AIDS are not the same thing. If you have HIV, it does not necessarily mean that you have or will develop AIDS.