HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus transmitted through contact with an infected person’s blood or sexual fluids. It can also be transmitted from a mother to her child in the womb or through breast milk. No matter what your identity, if you have unprotected sex you are at risk for HIV.

HIV causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). AIDS weakens the body's immune system (your defense against infections) so that it loses the ability to fight off infection and illnesses. Some medicines can lengthen the lives of people with AIDS, but there is no cure. The best way to combat the virus is to keep yourself from getting it.

In This Section:

• Transmission: How is HIV Transmitted?
• Prevention: How do I keep from becoming infected with HIV?
• Testing: How can I find out if I have HIV?
• En Espanol

Related HealthFacts

• Choosing Not to Have Sex
• Condoms
• STDs

Personal Stories and Information from MySistahs and YouthResource

HIV/AIDS: Que Tiene Ver Conmigo? What does it have to do with me? by Jessica

Having “The Talk” by Kim

Listen! Partner Communication by Nicholle

Get Up, Stand Up by Nicole

Got a question?  Email a peer educator for help!


Other Resources

HIV Hotlines

Young People and HIV

Youth and the Global HIV/AIDS Pandemic

HIV Transmission

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It's caused by a virus called HIV, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, that weakens the body's immune system (your defense against infections) so that it loses the ability to fight off infection and illnesses. Some medicines can lengthen the lives of people with AIDS, but there is no cure. The best way to combat the virus is to keep yourself from getting it.

How can you get HIV?

• You can get HIV through direct contact with blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. You can get the virus by:
• Exchanging blood, semen, and vaginal secretions through vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse with someone who has HIV. During vaginal intercourse, the risk of becoming infected is higher for women than men, because HIV is more easily transmitted from man to woman.
• Sharing needles or syringes used for injecting drugs, medicine, tattooing, or ear piercing with someone who has HIV.
• Being born to a mother who has the virus. (HIV can be passed to a fetus through the umbilical cord while it is still inside the mother, through contact with vaginal fluids and blood during birth or through breast milk.)

You can't get it from:

• Touching, talking to, or sharing a home with a person who is HIV infected or has AIDS.
• Sharing utensils, such as forks and spoons, used by someone with HIV infection or AIDS.
• Using swimming pools, hot tubs, drinking fountains, toilet seats, doorknobs, gym equipment, or telephones used by people with HIV infection or AIDS.
• Having someone with HIV or AIDS hug, kiss, spit, sneeze, cough, breathe, sweat, or cry on you.
• Being bitten by mosquitoes.
• Donating blood in countries like the U.S. where a new needle is used for every donor. You do not come into contact with anyone else's blood. In the U.S., donated blood is always screened for HIV so the risk of infection from a blood transfusion is very, very low.

Maybe you have heard the term HIV-positive. It means that an antibody test has shown that someone has been infected with HIV. It does not necessarily mean that a person has AIDS right now.

People with HIV may not know or show that they carry the virus for up to 15 years and possibly longer. They may look, act, and feel healthy, but can still infect others with HIV through unsafe sex and sharing needles.

You can protect yourself from HIV infection by not having sex or using drugs. You can lower your risk of exposure to HIV by making smart decisions. If you choose to have sexual intercourse, you can protect yourself by using latex condoms. Of course, condoms are also a safe, effective, and inexpensive form of birth control, so you can protect yourself from unintended pregnancy at the same time. They also protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

100% Risk Free

Of course, the surest way to avoid the virus is to choose not to have sexual intercourse—vaginal, oral, or anal—and not to do drugs. Using any drugs at all, including alcohol, is risky. Drugs and alcohol cloud your judgment and may lead you to make unsafe choices.

Safer Sex

There are lots of physical ways to share love and sexual feelings with your partner that are safe, such as:

• Hugging.
• Holding hands.
• Touching.

Low Risk Sex

If you do have sex, it is important to protect yourself and your partner by:

• Getting tested for HIV and insisting your partner does the same, before you have sex.
• Using a latex condom every single time you have vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse.
• Using a barrier, such as a latex dental dam, a cut-open condom or plastic wrap, for oral sex on a female.

What about kissing?

What There are no reported cases of people getting HIV from deep kissing. It might be risky, however, to kiss someone if there is a chance for blood contact—if the HIV infected person has an open cut or sore in the mouth or on the gums. It would be even more risky if both people had bleeding cuts or sores. So, use common sense—wait until any sores or cuts have healed before kissing.

Unsafe Activities

It is never a good idea to:

• Have vaginal, oral, or anal sex without using a latex condom.
• Have oral sex on a female without a latex barrier.
• Share needles, syringes, or any kind of sharp object for cutting, tattooing, or piercing.

Remember, preventing HIV takes action and communication. Talk to your partner about HIV and safer sex practices. Love and passion don't protect you. Just knowing and trusting your partner isn't enough. Use a male or female condom or latex barrier for every act of vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse or remain abstinent. Respect yourself enough to protect yourself!

HIV Prevention

Safer Sex: Get the Facts

Contrary to popular belief, everybody isn't 'doing it'. Holding hands, kissing, and touching are all ways that you can show your feelings without having sex. Not having sex at all is the only 100 percent effective, foolproof method of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV.

However, when you do decide to have sex, practice safer sex. Using a latex condom each and every time you have vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse will lower the risk of pregnancy and of contracting an STI, including HIV. (Remember if you have an infection with open sores, the infection may be transmitted through the area that is not covered by the condom.) Also, use a dental dam or plastic wrap on a woman if you are going to engage in oral sex.

HIV Testing

Información en Español: la prueba del VIH

If you feel you may be at risk for HIV, it is important to get tested. This article tells you what to expect at an HIV test.

Deciding to get tested for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is a big decision. Making the choice to get tested can be difficult. Hopefully this information will help you make that decision.

Why should you get tested?

There are lots of reasons that people get tested for HIV. Maybe you're sexually active and have engaged in behaviors that put you are risk of HIV infection. Maybe you're starting a new relationship and have decided to get tested together. Whatever the case, here are some of the reasons why you should consider getting tested for HIV. If you:

• had sexual intercourse (vaginal, oral, or anal) without a condom
• learned that a partner was not monogamous
• have been sexually assaulted
• had a condom break
• shared needles or syringes to inject drugs (including steroids) or for body piercing, tattooing, or any other reason
• had multiple sexual partners
• found out that a partner has shared needles
• learned that a past or current partner is HIV-positive
• discovered that a partner has been exposed to HIV
• had a recent diagnosis of another sexually transmitted infection (STI)
• are pregnant.

How does HIV testing work?

HIV tests can tell if you have been infected with HIV. When HIV infection occurs, the body develops antibodies to the virus. The HIV test checks to see if your body is making these antibodies. It doesn't test for AIDS.

There are three different ways to be tested for HIV. A blood sample can be taken from your arm, fluids can be taken from cells in the mouth, or a urine sample may be used instead. Then the sample is tested for HIV antibodies. If HIV antibodies are found, the sample is tested again. Then a different test is used to confirm the results. Depending on the type of test you take, it could take anywhere from 20 minutes (Orasure or Oraquick tests) to a few weeks (the urine test) to get your result.

A positive test result means that your body is making HIV antibodies. If the test finds antibodies, that means you are infected with HIV. It doesn't mean you have AIDS or will get sick soon.

A negative test result means no HIV antibodies were found in your body. But, you could still be infected if you have been exposed to HIV in the last six months. Your body may not have made enough HIV antibodies to show up yet. You should get tested again in a three months.

If you test positive...

Find a doctor who has experience with HIV treatment. The earlier you begin treatment, the more likely the virus will move slowly, so you can stay healthy longer. Many HIV positive people live for many years without developing AIDS - but the odds are better the earlier you start treatment.

• Get counseling. Counseling can help you and your loved ones learn to live with HIV.
• Notify current and past sexual partners that you are infected with HIV and that they may be infected with HIV.
• Practice abstinence. It's the only sure way to avoid getting another strain of HIV or spreading it to others.
• Practice safer sex. Use a latex condom during each act of vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse.
• Contact an HIV/AIDS service organization in your area or your state or local health department to find available resources.

If you test negative...

• Practice abstinence. It's the only sure way to avoid getting HIV.
• Practice safer sex. Use a latex condom during each act of vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse.
• Don't share needles or syringes to inject drugs or for any other reason.

Remember, if you had unprotected sex or any other risky behavior that can transmit HIV in the last six months prior to getting tested, you will need to get a follow-up test in six months to be sure you are not infected.

Anonymous vs. Confidential Testing

In most states, you can find testing sites that offer anonymous or confidential HIV testing.

Anonymous testing is available in some places and through HIV home testing kits. Anonymous testing uses code numbers or names to identify your test. Your name is never used. You use the code to get your results. You are the only person who knows your results. With anonymous testing, you get to decide who to tell and when.

With confidential testing, your name is used. Therefore, your name and other identifying information is attached to your test results, but kept private. However, health care providers, your insurance company, and, in some states, the health department will have access to your test results.

Some people prefer to get tested for HIV without having it listed in their medical record or insurance file. Be sure to find out who will have access to your test results before you get tested. Some testing sites offer the test for free, while others charge a fee for the test. Ask before you get tested.

Where to go to get tested

Depending on where you live, you can get tested at any of several places. Testing may be offered at your local:

• STI clinic.
• family planning clinic.
• community health center.
• doctor's office.
• hospital.

Or ask your health care provider or health department.

It is important to get tested at a place that also offers counseling about HIV and AIDS. Counselors can answer questions you may have about risky behaviors and ways to protect yourself and others in the future. In addition, counselors can help you understand the meaning of test results and tell you about HIV/AIDS resources in your area.

Resources and Additional Information

To find a testing site near you, call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National STD and AIDS Hotlines. This is a 24-hour, confidential hotline.

• 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) English
• 1-888-232-6348 TTY

The National HIV Testing Resources provides information on counseling and testing, and resources for people who test positive.


La Prueba del VIH

Information in English: HIV Testing

¿QUIÉN CORRE EL RIESGO DE INFECTARSE CON EL VIH?

Cada año, hay unos 40,000 casos nuevos de infección con el VIH. Los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) calculan que hasta el 50% de estas personas tienen menos de 25 años de edad. Casi la mitad de los adolescentes que se infectan con el VIH son muchachos que tienen relaciones sexuales con hombres.

Los muchachos gay corren mayor riesgo, pero recuerda: no se trata de quién eres, sino de lo que haces. Las dos conductas más riesgosas son el sexo sin protección o compartir una aguja o jeringa. Si tienes preguntas sobre las conductas de riesgo, llama a la línea directa del SIDA de CDC Teen AIDS al 1 800 344 SIDA.

¿DEBO HACERME LA PRUEBA?

La mayoría de las personas que están infectadas con el VIH pasan por un largo período durante el cual se sienten bastante bien. Muchos ni siquiera saben que están infectados. Si tú has participado en una conducta riesgosa, hacerte la prueba del VIH es la única manera de que sepas cuál es tu situación con toda seguridad.

Para aquellos cuyo resultado es positivo: saber que eres seropositivo significa que tú y tu médico pueden comenzar a tomar medidas para proteger tu salud. En la actualidad, hay más opciones médicas para las personas seropositivas, y la detección y el tratamiento precoces pueden significar un cambio. Conocer tu estado de VIH es también el primer paso para obtener asesoramiento y apoyo emocional. Si tú sabes que eres seropositivo, puedes comunicárselo a otras personas que puedan estar infectadas también, tales como las parejas con las que hayas tenido relaciones sexuales en el pasado.

Para aquellos cuyo resultado es negativo: no saber cuál es tu estado de VIH puede ser estresante y saber que eres seronegativo puede tranquilizarte. También tendrás la oportunidad de hablar con un asesor después de obtener tus resultados sobre el sexo más seguro y otras conductas de riesgo.

¿QUIÉN SE ENTERARÁ?

Es probable que desees contarle a alguien que te harás la prueba del VIH. Es bueno contar con un padre o amigo con quien hablar. Aún así, tal vez te preocupe quién se entere de los resultados de tu análisis. Las normas varían según los estados. La prueba puede ser ya sea anónima o confidencial.

• Prueba confidencial: Cuando te haces la prueba, das tu nombre. Los nombres de las personas seropositivas se mantienen en una base de datos confidencial para llevar la cuenta del número de casos en el estado.
• Prueba anónima: Cuando te haces la prueba, se te da un código para identificarte. Tú usas el código para averiguar tus resultados y nunca tienes que dar tu nombre.

En ambos casos, se supone que nadie debe divulgar los resultados de tu análisis. No obstante, en algunos estados, el médico tiene la opción de notificar a tus padres si eres menor de edad y si cree que hacerlo te conviene.

¿EN QUÉ CONSISTE LA PRUEBA?

Primer paso: Se te hará una prueba de anticuerpos del VIH, conocida también como la prueba ELISA. Los anticuerpos pueden tardar hasta 3 meses en aparecer en tu sangre después de que hayas sido expuesto al VIH. La prueba ELISA puede hacerse sacando sangre o tomando un hisopo de algodón y frotándolo contra el interior de tu mejilla. En la mayoría de los casos se tarda aproximadamente una semana en obtener los resultados. En fecha próxima, nuevos exámenes rápidos podrán proporcionarte los resultados el mismo día. Si la prueba ELISA resultara positiva, te harán otra prueba ELISA para verificarla dos veces, luego…

Segundo paso: Después de la prueba ELISA, la clínica hará una prueba Western Blot para confirmar los resultados. En este análisis se utiliza sangre y se tarda aproximadamente una semana en obtener los resultados. (Nota: con la prueba rápida, muy probablemente te den los resultados el mismo día, y luego tendrás que esperar una semana para que la prueba Western Blot confirme los resultados.)

Tercer paso: Un asesor se sentará contigo para repasar los resultados contigo y podrá contestar las preguntas que tengas y brindarte apoyo.

¿MÁS PREGUNTAS?

Si tienes más preguntas sobre el proceso, puedes llamar a la línea directa del SIDA del CDC SIDA y obtener respuestas:

• En español: 1 800 344 SIDA
• En inglés: 1 800 342 AIDS