What is HIV?
 How is HIV transmitted?
 What is AIDS?
 How do I Know if I have HIV?

WHAT IS HIV?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The name of the virus starts with Human because it only lives in people. This means you can't get it from insects or animals such as mosquitoes or cats. You can only get it from another person. Immunodeficiency means that your immune system breaks down. Your immune system is what fights off other viruses like colds. People who have HIV have a weaker immune system that has trouble fighting off sicknesses that people without HIV can fight off easily. A Virus is like a cold. It is something that invades your body and makes you sick.

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How is HIV transmitted?

HIV can be passed through four bodily fluids:

• Blood
• Semen
• Vaginal fluids
• Breast milk

You won't get AIDS from everyday contact.

• You won't get AIDS from being a friend.
• You won't get AIDS from a mosquito bite.
• You won't get AIDS from a kiss.
• You won't get AIDS from talking.
• You won't get AIDS from listening.
• You won't get AIDS from a public pool.
• You won't get AIDS from a toilet seat.
• You won't get AIDS from donating blood.
• You won't get AIDS from tears.
• You won't get AIDS from a hug.
• You won't get AIDS from a towel.
• You won't get AIDS from a telephone.
• You won't get AIDS because someone is different from you.

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WHAT IS AIDS?

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Acquired means that you have to get it. You know how some people have diabetes or cancer? They don't get it from someone else; it's just in there bodies. Well you can't just have AIDS. Immune Deficiency, once again, means your immune system breaks down. A Syndrome is a collection of signs or symptoms that form a pattern. People with AIDS often have similar illnesses so if a person is HIV positive and shows signs or symptoms for one of these illnesses ("opportunistic infections") then a doctor can tell if they have AIDS.

HIV is different from AIDS. HIV is the virus that people get from each other. You cannot get AIDS from someone, but you can get HIV.

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HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE HIV?

There are a lot of places you can go to get an HIV test. There are also different kinds of tests. You can come to HARC for an oral test that is free and anonymous. This test will tell you if you have HIV by looking for HIV anti-bodies (they fight off HIV in your body).

For more information on HIV testing, click here.

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