Frequently Asked Questions
What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. A diagnosis of AIDS is made by a physician using certain clinical or laboratory standards.
What causes AIDS?
AIDS is caused by infection with a virus called human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This virus is passed from one person to another through blood-to-blood and sexual contact. In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their babies during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breast feeding. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. Most of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection.
What body fluids transmit HIV
These body fluids have been proven to spread HIV:
* blood
* semen
* vaginal fluid
* breast milk
* other body fluids containing blood
How can I tell if I'm infected with HIV? What are the symptoms?
The only way to determine for sure whether you are infected is to be tested for HIV infection. You cannot rely on symptoms to know whether or not you are infected with HIV. Many people who are infected with HIV do not have any symptoms at all for many years.
I understand that there is no cure for HIV/AIDS. Why get tested?
There is no cure for AIDS. There are many reasons to get tested. Today, there are medical treatments that can slow down the rate at which HIV weakens the immune system. There are other treatments that can prevent or cure some of the illnesses associated with AIDS. As with other diseases, early detection offers more options for treatment and preventative care.
The following symptoms may be warning signs of HIV infection:
* rapid weight loss
* dry cough
* recurring fever or profuse night sweats
* profound and unexplained fatigue
* swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck
* diarrhea that lasts for more than a week
* white spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth, or in the throat
* pneumonia
* red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids
* memory loss, depression, and other neurological disorders; however, no one should assume they are infected if they have any of these symptoms. Each of these symptoms can be related to other illnesses
If I learn that I am HIV positive, where can I get information about treatments?
AIDS Resources can provide you with information about treatments and we can develop a plan that will assist you in receiving the support you need. If we cannot provide you with the support you need, we will work with other organizations to assist you in getting that support.
Information on enrolling in clinical trials and detailed information on specific treatments is available from the Department of Health and Human Services' Web site at AIDSinfo .
You may contact the Department of Health and Human Services for AIDS information by phone at 1-800-448-0440 (English and Spanish) or 1-888-480-3739 (TTY).
The CDC National AIDS Hotline can offer practical information on maintaining health, as well as general information about a wide variety of treatments, including antiretrovirals and prophylaxis (preventive therapy) for opportunistic infections.
The CDC National AIDS Hotline can also provide referrals to national treatment hotlines, local AIDS organizations, and HIV/AIDS-knowledgeable health care providers. The CDC National AIDS Hotline numbers are 1-800-342-2437 (English), 1-800-344-7432 (Spanish), and 1-800-243-7889 (TTY).