HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).  HIV kills / damages cells of your body’s immune systems, particularly the “CD4” cells (also known as T-helper cells) that help your body fight off infection and disease.  When HIV destroys T-helper cells, the body becomes exposed to many different types of opportunistic infections, usually found only in immuno-compromised people, not the general public.

How is HIV transmitted?

• By having unprotected sex (sex without a condom) with someone who has HIV.  The virus can be spread through an infected person’s blood, semen, and vaginal fluids / secretions. It can enter your body through the lining of the vagina, penis, rectum, mouth, or through small cuts or sores in your skin.
• By sharing needles to inject drugs or do tattoo and body-piercing tools.  HIV is also spread by sharing drug equipment with someone who has HIV.
• Through breast milk. A mother infected with HIV can pass it to her child during pregnancy, birth, or breast-feeding.
• Through a blood transfusion and blood products (blood clotting factor) that you received before 1985.

You cannot get HIV:

• From insect bites or stings.
• From donating blood.
• From sweat, spit, tears, clothes, drinking fountains, phones, toilet seats, or through everyday things like sharing a meal.
• By working with or being around someone who has HIV.
• From a closed-mouth kiss (but there is a very small chance of getting it from open-mouthed kissing with an infected person because of possible blood contact).

How do I know if I have HIV / AIDS?

The only way to know for sure is to be tested.  You could have HIV and feel absolutely healthy.  The Student Health Center offers rapid testing on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the fall and spring from 2 pm – 4:00 pm.  In the summer, testing is offered from 2 - 4:00 pm on Tuesdays only. Testing is free on the first Tuesday of every month.  There are counselors available to talk to if you have any questions about HIV.  The information on your HIV test and test results are confidential. 

The HIV test that the Student Health Center provides is the OraQuick.  This method of testing tests the antibodies to see if the HIV antibody is present.  The HIV antibodies are trying to fight the infection.  If the HIV antibodies are present, more tests will be conducted to confirm the results.

Consider getting tested if you are:

• Having sex for money or drugs.
• Injecting drugs or steroids with used injection equipment.
• Having more than one sex partner since your HIV test.
• Having sex with an HIV infected person.
• Having sex with someone who has had other sex partners since your last HIV test.

How is HIV treated?

There is no cure for HIV.  There are antiretroviral medications available, but they will not/do not kill HIV.  They slow down HIV reproduction rates so that immune damage slows.  Medications for HIV are enormously expensive, often cause side effects, extremely toxic, and must be taken on a really rigid schedule; if not, HIV develops resistance to the medications, and the therapy fails.

What can I do to prevent HIV?

• Abstain from sexual activity.
• Both partners need to get tested before engaging in sexual activity.
• Use male / female condoms consistently and correctly.
• Do not inject / shoot drugs.
• Never share drugs, needles, syringes, water, or "works".

For more information contact:

Student Health Center
555 Foothill Dr., Level 1
SLC, UT 84112

Want a specific question answered?  Ask us at the Ask a Health Educator link.

Resources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Lab Tests Online