• HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus, infects immune system cells. It destroys or deteriorates their functions. Progressively, the system deteriorates. It can no longer fight infections and diseases.
  • AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is the result of an HIV infection combined with the failure of the immune system, which increases vulnerability to other diseases.
  • HIV is found in bodily fluids: blood, sperm, vaginal secretions and breast milk. It is transmitted through unprotected sex with an infected person, transfusion with contaminated blood, and the use of contaminated needles or syringes. It can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding.
  • To avoid HIV infection (during sex): abstention, fidelity (in a relationship with a partner who is also faithful and not infected), avoiding penetration, and the use of male or female condoms. Condoms are currently the only products available for protection against the spread of HIV between men and women. Aside from sexual abstinence, no protection method is 100% effective. For injecting drug users: do not exchange and share needles, ensure that blood transfusions have been subject to HIV screening.
  • The treatment for HIV/AIDS is called antiretroviral treatment (ARV). Although ARVs do not cure infection, they prevent AIDS from developing. These treatments have improved quality of life for those living with HIV. Under ARV treatment, sufferers must take antiretroviral drugs daily without interruption.
  • Handshaking, hugs, drinking from the same glass and using the same bathroom as someone who is HIV-positive are not an infection risk. Exposure to coughs or sneezes or playing sports with someone who is HIV positive are not a source of infection either. Kissing is not a risk, there is no evidence to show that the virus can be transmitted through saliva.
  • Transmission of HIV from an infected mother to her child can take place during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. The risk of transmission from mother to child can be reduced if the mother follows antiretroviral treatment, gives birth by cesarean and follows prescribed medical procedures for breastfeeding.
  • Most contaminated people do not realize it because they do not feel sick immediately. Screening is the only way of knowing whether or not infection has occurred. The stages of infection and the disease present various symptoms: general swelling of the lymph glands, weight loss, regular upper respiratory tract infections, chronic diarrhea, persistent fever, serious bacterial infections, pulmonary tuberculosis, mouth sores, HIV-related cancers.
  • AIDS develops differently according to the individual. For an untreated sufferer, between five and ten years may go by before the first signs of the disease appear, but it may take ten to 15 years after HIV infection before AIDS develops. Antiretroviral treatments slow down the progress of the disease.
  • People who think they may have been exposed to HIV should immediately ask the health services for help to receive post-exposure therapy.