How Do You Get or Transmit HIV? You can only get HIV by coming into direct contact with certain body fluids from a person with HIV who has a detectable viral load. These fluids are: Blood Semen (cum) and pre-seminal fluid Rectal fluids Vaginal fluids Breast milk For transmission to occur, the HIV in these […]
What is PEP? PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) means taking medicine to prevent HIV after a possible exposure. PEP is a short course of HIV medicines taken very soon after a possible exposure to HIV to prevent the virus from taking hold in your body. You must start it within 72 hours (3 days) after a possible […]
If you think you’ve been exposed to the virus that causes AIDS and want to take a test to find out, timing is important. After the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) enters your body, there’s a certain amount of time that has to pass before a test can detect it. This is called the HIV window […]
PrEP and PEP for HIV prevention. These treatments are proven effective in preventing HIV transmission In turn, while both have similar objectives, the differences in PrEP vs. PEP for HIV prevention depend on the individual and whether or not they’ve already been exposed. PrEP and PEP are medicines to prevent HIV. Each type is used […]
HIV can eventually cause AIDS by attacking a type of white blood cell called a CD4 cell. CD4 cells are the same cells in the immune system that are supposed to protect the body from disease. When your immune system loses too many CD4 cells, you are less able to fight off infection and can […]
To the advances in HIV research and medication, we can now say with confidence that people on effective treatment cannot pass on HIV. This is known as an undetectable viral load. What Does “Undetectable = Untransmittable” Mean? When taken as prescribed, HIV medications can decrease the amount of HIV present in a person’s blood, or […]
If you have HIV, it’s important to make choices that keep you healthy and protect others. Having HIV doesn’t have to stop you living a healthy life in the way that you choose to do. With the right treatment and care, you can expect to live as long as someone who doesn’t have HIV. Find […]
More than 30 different bacteria, viruses and parasites are known to be transmitted through sexual contact. Eight of these pathogens are linked to the greatest incidence of sexually transmitted disease. Of these, 4 are currently curable: syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis. The other 4 are viral infections which are incurable: hepatitis B, herpes simplex virus […]
What is HIV treatment? The treatment for HIV is called antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART involves taking a combination of HIV medicines (called an HIV treatment regimen) every day. HIV treatment involves taking medicine that reduces the amount of HIV in your body. There is no effective cure for HIV. But with proper medical care, you […]
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes HIV infection. HIV causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the most advanced stage of HIV infection. What is AIDS? AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome: Acquired means you can get infected with it; Immune Deficiency means a weakness in the body’s system that fights diseases. […]
