What you should know about HIV and AIDS



What is AIDS?

It stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. This is the combination of symptoms and illnesses that manifests as a result of the destruction of the immune system, which fights infections in our body.

What about HIV?

It means Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This is the virus that causes AIDS by destroying the body’s immune system.

How does one get HIV?

  • Having unprotected penetrative oral, vaginal or anal sex with an infected partner;
  • Receiving blood or blood products from an infected donor;
  • Sharing needles in intravenous drug use with an infected person;
  • An infected mother may infect her infant as well.
You can’t get HIV from:
  • Kissing
  • Coughing
  • Hugging and shaking hands
  • Swimming in a pool
  • Toilets
  • Mosquito and other insect bites
  • Sharing eating utensils and glasses
  • Living and working with a person with HIV
These body fluids carry HIV in infectious amounts:
  • Blood
  • Semen
  • Vaginal secretions
  • Mother’s milk
How can I avoid being infected with HIV?
  • ABSTINENCE. Refraining or postponing sexual intercourse.
  • BE FAITHFUL. Be mutually monogamous with an uninfected partner.
  • CAREFUL SEX. Or safer sex. Necking, petting, non-penetrative sex, using condoms.
  • DON’T INJECT DRUGS. Or better yet, don’t do drugs at all. If injecting drugs can’t be helped, don’t share needles.
What is safer sex?

It is the range of ways of having sex without the exchange of body fluids. A sensual massage, caresses, rubbing against each other, kissing, masturbation, mutual masturbation are examples. There is no limit to one’s imagination!

How will I know if someone is HIV Positive?

You can’t. There’s only one way to be sure. One has to undergo a blood test called HIV Antibody Test. Some people call it AIDS test but this is wrong. The HIV Antibody Test measures the amount of antibodies against HIV.

Antibodies are products of the immune system when it is exposed to infection. They are like soldiers who fight the invading infection. In the case of HIV infection, antibodies are still produced but they can’t kill the virus.

Because our body needs 3 to 6 months to produce enough antibodies for the test to detect, it is best to wait 6 months after the last risky activity before taking the test to obtain the most accurate result. This period of waiting is called Window Period.

REMEMBER: The HIV Antibody Test must be voluntary and confidential.