article page

What is HIV?

• HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
• It is a virus which causes problems for the human immune system.
• There is treatment which can help people with HIV to live a normal lifespan.

What is the immune system?

• Your immune system protects you from illnesses and infections and helps you to get better if you are unwell.
• It is made up of different cells which do different jobs.
• An important category of immune system cells are called CD4 cells.

What does HIV do to the immune system?

• HIV cells like to make more HIV cells and they use some of your CD4 cells to do this.
• CD4 cells help run the immune system so when the HIV cells use them, some of them die.
• If you have HIV you may not have enough CD4 cells to keep your immune system running properly.
•  When you don’t have enough CD4 cells, your immune system can’t fight off illnesses and infections properly, which means you are more likely to get ill.

How is it passed on?

HIV is passed on through these body fluids:
• Sexual fluids – HIV can be passed on through sex
• Anal mucus
• Blood
• Breast milk - a woman can pass HIV to her baby

In order for you to be infected with HIV, one or more of these fluids from someone with HIV must get into your bloodstream.

Is there a cure for HIV?

• There is no cure for HIV but there is medicine which can keep it under control and stop it causing problems.

You can find more about HIV on the Terrence Higgins Trust website.

If you have a question or you are unsure about anything then ask a Talksafe Counsellor or Peer Mentor.

Last review: 06/06/11 - Next review: 06/06/13