What is HIV?
HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus that leads to HIV infection. HIV destroys a person's immune system making it hard to fight infections and some cancers. Late stages of HIV infection lead to AIDs, or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
How could I get HIV?
You get HIV when you come in contact with body fluids from a person who has HIV. This can happen in different ways:
- Having sex of any kind without a condom
- Sharing needles when using drugs
- Sharing items that have blood on them like razors or tattooing needles
- Medical procedures like blood transfusions or organ transplants
- From a mother with HIV to her baby during birth or breastfeeding
You do not get HIV from: