Understanding HIV

• HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
• HIV affects the immune system and makes it weak.
• HIV depletes the number of T-cells which work to protect our body from illness.
• A person with HIV can appear healthy.

• AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
• If left untreated, HIV can weaken the immune system to the point where it is weakened so much that it is called AIDS.
• AIDS results in so few T-cells in the blood stream the body can no longer defend itself which can lead to death.
• It can often take a long time for someone with HIV to develop AIDS, often over 8 or more years.

• Many rumours about HIV still exist in the UK as a result of hysteria created at the time the virus emerged in the West.
• If you know the facts, you can effectively protect yourself from contracting HIV.
• There are five bodily fluids in which HIV can survive: blood, semen, vaginal fluids, the lining inside the anus, and breast milk. HIV can therefore be transmitted via:
  • Unprotected vaginal or anal sex
  • Sharing needles or syringes
  • From mother to baby before or during birth or by breastfeeding
  • Sharing sex toys with someone infected with HIV
  • Oral sex where the person giving oral sex has mouth ulcers, sores or bleeding gums (less common)
  • Blood transfusion (now very rare in the UK 
• HIV cannot survive in saliva, sweat, urine, faeces, or on toilet seats or door handles. This means it cannot be transmitted via things like:
  • Hugging or kissing someone who has HIV
  • Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
  • Using the same toilet seat as someone who has HIV
  • Sharing food or drink with someone has HIV
  • Being sneezed on or coming into contact with spit
  • Being touched by someone who has HIV
  • Using public swimming pools
  • Contact with animals or insects like mosquitoes

• Do not share needles or syringes - many local authorities and pharmacies offer needle exchange programmes, where used needles can be exchanged for clean ones.
• Using a condom and other forms of barrier contraception during sexual activity is the best way to protect against sharing bodily fluids like semen, blood, and vaginal fluids.
• Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication is a medication taken before intercourse, and reduces your risk of getting the virus by almost 100%. It is available to some people who are at high risk of HIV infection. www.iwantprepnow.co.uk is a useful directory for checking your eligibility and accessing the medication.
• Remember that you always have the right to say no when it comes to having sex and sharing needles.

• Seek medical advice immediately if you believe you have taken a risk which may have exposed you to contracting HIV. The earlier the diagnosis the earlier you can start treatment and avoid becoming seriously ill.
• Anti-HIV medication (PEP) may stop the infection if you take it within 72 hours of being exposed to the virus.
• Remember that most people living with HIV may not show symptoms until months, even years after being infected, therefore it’s important to get tested as regularly as possible.
• The most common test consists of a simple blood test.
• It is important to remember that while there is no cure, there are medications that can be prescribed to ensure that people with HIV can live a normal, healthy life

• Sexual health drop-in clinics offered by the SU
• Coventry Integrated Sexual Health Service (ISHS)
• freetesting.hiv postal kit tests
• Clinics run by charities like Terrence Higgins Trust
• Some GP surgeries
• Local drug dependency services
• An antenatal clinic (if you’re pregnant)
• A private clinic (payment required)

The NHS also has a tool you can use to locate HIV testing services near you.