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HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV damages the body's immune system. The immune system protects the body from disease..

People can have HIV for years without getting sick. They may look and feel healthy. They may not know they have it.

But people with HIV can pass it to their sex partners or to someone they share a needle with. A pregnant woman with HIV can pass it to her baby.

AIDS is the stage of HIV when the immune system gets very weak. When this happens, other infections can enter the body.

There is no cure for HIV or AIDS. But treatments can help people stay healthy.

And HIV can be prevented.

HIV is in the blood, semen or vaginal fluids of someone with HIV.

You can get HIV if:

• You have sex (vaginal, anal or oral) with someone who has HIV.
• You share needles or works to inject drugs.
• You share needles to inject vitamins or steroids, for tattooing or piercing, or for any other reason.
• A pregnant woman with HIV can pass it to the fetus in her womb, or to the baby during birth or breastfeeding. She can take medicine to greatly reduce the baby's risk.

You can't get HIV from:

• donating blood
• casual contact such as hugging, kissing or sharing food
• telephones, toilet seats, towels or eating utensils
• tears, saliva, sweat or urine
• mosquitoes or other insects

You can prevent HIV

Protect yourself sexually:

• Decide not to have sex. The surest way to prevent sexual transmission of HIV is to not have sex.
• Have sex only with one mutually monogamous partner who doesn't have

HIV. Neither of you should have sex with anyone else or share needles.

• Have safer sex that doesn't put you in contact with someone else's blood, semen or vaginal fluids.

Protect yourself in other ways:

• Don't inject drugs. If you do, never share needles or works.
• If you do share, clean your works before and after each use. Rinse the syringe 3 times with clean water, 3 times with straight bleach, and 3 times again with clean water.
• Remember that alcohol and other drugs affect your judgment. Using them may lead to unsafe sex or injection drug use

Many symptoms of HIV can also be symptoms of other illnesses or infections.

See a doctor if any of these symptoms persist:

• unexplained weight loss greater than
  10 pounds
• recurring fever and/or drenching night sweats
• unexplained tiredness
• diarrhea
• swollen glands, usually in the neck, armpits or groin
• unexplained dry cough
• white spots or unusual sores on the tongue or mouth

The HIV test tells if a person has HIV.

The test looks for antibodies to HIV in the body.

Where to get the test:

• State and local health departments, AIDS organizations or private doctors can give the
• The test is confidential. Your result is told only to you, but it is also put in your medical file. No one can see it without your signed approval.
• Some areas have anonymous testing. This means you don't give your name. Your test result will be reported only to you.
• Home testing kits are available at pharmacies and online. Home testing is anonymous.

Consider taking the test if:

• You think you, your sex partner or someone you share needles with might be at risk.
• You're pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant.

The sooner people are tested, the earlier those with HIV can begin health practices and treatment that can slow the progress of the disease and keep them healthy.