What is HIV?
HIV is a virus that spreads through contact with blood, semen, rectal or vaginal fluids, or breast milk of a person with HIV.

How Does HIV Spread?

The most common modes of spreading the virus is by having unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse or sharing injection drug equipment (syringes/needles/cookers) with a person who has HIV.

Signs and Symptoms
New HIV infections may have no symptoms, so it is important to get tested if you are at risk.

Some common signs and symptoms are listed below.

• Fevers
• Headaches
• Muscle Pain
• Tiredness
• Weight Loss
• Night Sweats
• Swollen Lymph Nodes
• Sore Throat

Prevention

• Not sharing any works (e.g. needles, cookers, cotton, syringes, filters, water, drugs) with others
  
  
• Always using a condom during sex
  
  
• Taking a once-a-day pill, known as PreP, that can be taken to help prevent HIV. Ask your doctor to learn more

Treatment
There are very effective medications to treat HIV. Please contact a health care professional to discuss the best treatment options for you. You can look for an HIV provider near you by clicking on this website: https://www.hiv.gov/.

If left untreated, HIV will weaken your immune system which leads to more infections and can make an individual very sick.