HIV Infection and AIDS (caused by human immunodeficiency virus or HIV)
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Early (weeks to months after exposure):
• Flu-like illness
• Swollen lymph nodes
Late (years after exposure):
• Persistent fevers
• Night sweats
• Prolonged diarrhoea
• Unexplained weight loss
• Purple bumps on skin or inside mouth and nose
• Chronic fatigue
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Recurrent respiratory infections
Note: These symptoms are not specific for HIV/AIDS and may
have other causes. Most persons with HIV/AIDS have no
symptoms at all
for several years.
HIV/AIDS is spread by:
• Vaginal sex
• Oral sex
• Anal sex
• Sharing needles to inject drugs, body piercing or
tattooing
• Contaminated blood products (rare)
• Infected mother to newborn at birth or through
breastfeeding
HIV/AIDS infection cannot be spread by:
• Shaking hands • Swimming pools
• A social kiss • Toilet seats
• Cups • Food
• Animals • Insects
• Hugging •
Coughing
• HIV/AIDS can spread to sex partners and persons sharing
needles.
• There is no cure for HIV/AIDS and without treatment most
people eventually die from the disease.
HIV/AIDS and pregnancy
• HIV/AIDS can be passed to unborn children from infected
mother during pregnancy or childbirth.
• Infected
mother may infect infant through breast milk.
• Avoiding vaginal, oral or anal sex is the best way to
prevent STDs.
• Limit the number of sex partners.
• Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, are
Highly effective in preventing the transmission of HIV, the
Virus that causes AIDS.
• Always use latex condoms during vaginal and anal sex.
• Use a latex condom for oral sex on a penis.
• Use a latex barrier (dental dam or condom cut in half) for
oral sex on a vagina or anus.
• Limit or avoid use of drugs and alcohol.
• Don’t share drug needles, cotton or cookers.
• Don’t share needles for tattooing or piercing.
• Notify sex and needle-sharing partners immediately if
HIV/AIDS-infected.
• Tests are available to detect antibodies for HIV/AIDS through GP, STD clinics, and HIV/AIDS counselling and testing sites.
• There is no cure for HIV/AIDS.
• Early diagnosis and treatment can prolong life for years.
• Medications and treatments are available to keep immune
system working.
• Medications are available to treat AIDS-related illnesses.
• Medications are available for HIV/AIDS infected pregnant
women to greatly reduce the chance of infection of
newborn.
• There are experimental drug trials testing new medications.
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