HIV And AIDS

HIV means 'human immunodeficiency virus'. As with all viruses HIV does not have an individual metabolism and has to attack other living cells and use their metabolism to make copies of itself. HIV attacks some of the cells that are vital to a healthy immune system, including the white blood cells known as T-helper cells or CD4 cells. Without treatment, it takes an average of nine years for AIDS to develop after initial infection with the HIV virus.

Unprotected sex - that is, sex without using a condom, is the most common way of contracting the virus. If you are using intravenous drugs then a blood-to-blood-infection through using contaminated needles can pass on the disease. Although today all blood that is donated in the UK is tested for HIV there have been cases in the past caused by transfusions of contaminated blood. Unfortunately, it is also possible to infect a child during pregnancy, labour or after the delivery through breast milk.

The disease is incurable but many of the illnesses resulting from the condition can be treated. Between 5 and 15 years pass from the time of infection until AIDS actually develops. Previously, those infected only lived for a couple of years after developing AIDS. Fortunately, with the new types of treatment available the survival rate has greatly improved.

An HIV test is free of charge and anonymous.

You can be tested at clinics dealing with skin and venereal diseases and at special clinics for HIV screening.