Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ's

What is HIV?

• HIV is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
• HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.

What is AIDS?

• AIDS is Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

How do people get infected?

• By having unprotected anal, oral or vaginal sex with an infected person.
• Sharing needles and syringes (drugs, steroids, vitamins, tattooing, bodily piercing and body jewelry) with an HIV infected person.
• Infected mother to child before, during, or after birth.
• The body fluids that transmit HIV are blood, pre-cum, semen, vaginal fluids or breast milk of an infected person.

How DON’T people get infected?

• Casual contact(sitting next  to someone who is infected, sharing eating utensils, using the same restrooms, drinking fountains, etc)
• Donating Blood.

How do I prevent HIV infection?

• Abstaining from sex, drugs and alcohol.
• Postponing sexual activity.
• Maintaining a mutually faithful monogamous relationship with a person who is HIV negative.
• Not sharing needles or syringes.
• Using a latex condom or barrier with water based lubricant correctly each and every time you have sex.

How can I tell if I have HIV?

• Get tested.

How long does the virus live outside the body?

• Although HIV can survive outside the body for a few hours in certain bodily fluids, it cannot function when dry. The Virus cannot infect some one unless it enters the body.

Are Health Care Workers at risk of getting HIV on the job?

• The main risk of exposure to HIV for health care workers on the job is through injuries from needles and sharp instruments that are contaminated by HIV. The risk, however, is minimal. Scientists estimates that less than 1 percent of health workers who are pricked by HIV contaminated sharp instruments become infected with HIV.

Are condoms effective? / Don’t condoms fail 10 % of the time?

• Used correctly and consistently, latex condoms help protect you from HIV and other sexually transmitted Infections.
• Although they greatly reduce the risk of infection, they are not 100% effective.
• Condom failures are usually a result from improper use.

Are natural condoms safe?

• Although natural condoms work well as a birth control method, they do not keep someone from getting HIV or other sexually transmitted infections if his or her partner is infected.

What sexual activities are safe?

• Sex between two mutually monogamous, uninfected partners who do not share needles or syringes with anyone.
• Massaging one’s own genitals (masturbation).
• Activities that do not include touching a partners penis, vagina, or anus.
• Activities that do not include oral, anal, or vaginal sex.

What drugs are associated with getting HIV?

• The use of alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, crack, heroin and amphetamines are associated with the transmission of HIV. Drugs affect peoples judgment may lead them to engage in high risk activities such as unprotected sex and/or sharing and injecting drugs with un-sterilized needles.

Can I get HIV from someone’s Saliva?

• There are not any known cases of HIV transmission through saliva itself. Though there is the theoretical possibility of occurrence, research suggests that it is highly unlikely.

Should I be tested to find out if I am infected?

• If you think that you may be at risk for HIV infection you are encouraged to seek counseling and testing. You can be at risk if you engage in risky behaviors such as sharing needles and syringes or having sex with someone who has HIV.

How long should I wait before being tested?

• Before being tested you are encouraged to wait three months from the time you think you may have become infected with HIV.
• Three months is usually enough time for most individuals to develop antibodies to HIV. Otherwise you may test negative even though you have HIV.
• You need to avoid risks that are related to HIV during the three months wait before you are tested.

Can I test positive for HIV and still look and feel healthy?

• Yes, you can have HIV and still look and feel healthy.
• About half of individuals infected with HIV do not have symptoms of AIDS for about 10 years.
• Approximately 12 years after contracting HIV, 65% of people develop AIDS.
• Even if you look and feel healthy, people who have HIV can spread the virus to others through sharing needles and syringes or having sex without a latex barrier.

If I just fool around, Can I get HIV?

• Risks for HIV depend on how you define “fool around”.
• You can become infected with HIV from contact with Blood, Pre-cum, Semen, or the vaginal fluid of a person who has HIV.

Why are latex condoms important for safer sex?

• When used correctly for each act of vaginal, anal or oral sex, latex condoms are the best way for sexually active people to reduce the risk of unplanned pregnancy, infection from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

What is safer sex?

• Safer sex means protecting yourself and your partner(s) from STD’s, including HIV.
• Safer sex can mean choosing activities other than vaginal, anal or oral sex.

How can Latex condoms protect me?

• Latex condoms serve as an effective barrier against bodily fluids during sex.  They prevent contact with your partner’s semen, blood (including menstrual blood) and vaginal fluids.
• Latex condoms are also an effective way to preventing pregnancy.

Can I reuse a condom?

• No, condoms should not be re-used.
• A new Latex condom should be used for any act of vaginal, anal or oral sex.

What if my partner is allergic to latex?

• If you or your partner is allergic to latex barriers then you can try the use of a polyurethane male or female condom.