World AIDS Day

Advice & Information about HIV

Sexual health clinics
Other sexual health information

What is HIV?

• HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
• HIV attacks the body's defence (immune) system
• A person who is infected with HIV is said to be HIV positive.

!  The only way to prevent HIV is to avoid infection.  There is no vaccination to prevent HIV  !

What is AIDS?

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) can only develop in someone who is HIV positive. A person has AIDS when their immune system has become so weak that it can no longer fight off a range of infections with which it would normally cope.

Symptoms
How is HIV passed on?
How to protect yourself from HIV
Is there a test for HIV?    
What happens if the HIV test is positive?
If you have HIV infection
Where to go

Symptoms

• There are no specific symptoms for HIV or AIDS.
• Many people do not experience symptoms at first and may not know they are infected.  If any symptoms do occur soon after infection they may be like a flu-like illness shortly after exposure.
• People who have HIV may feel and look completely well, but their immune systems may be damaged.
• The longer someone is infected with HIV, the more likely it is their immune system will be damaged. As a result, the person has less resistance to specific infections, and may develop certain forms of cancer.

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How is HIV passed on?

!  HIV can be passed on from individuals who do not know they are infected themselves  !

HIV is mainly found in the sexual fluids and blood of infected people. If these fluids enter the body of another person, there is a risk that HIV could be passed on.

HIV can be passed on in the following ways:

!  Unprotected sex is the most common way that HIV is passed on  !

• Through unprotected sexual intercourse (vaginal and anal). This is the most common way it is transmitted (the risk with oral sex is low).
• Through sharing needles, syringes and other drug-injecting equipment.
• From mother to baby. HIV can be passed on during pregnancy, at birth or when breast-feeding. However, there are ways in which we can greatly reduce the risk of the baby being infected.
• Receiving unscreened blood, blood products and organs. All blood products in the UK are routinely screened.
• Less common routes of transmission include skin piercing with equipment that as not been sterilized e.g. tattooing, body piercing, acupuncture, electrolysis. 

HIV is NOT transmitted by...

• Everyday social contact such as kissing, touching, shaking hands, coughing and sneezing
• Insect or animal bites.

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How to protect yourself from HIV

!  You cannot tell that someone is infected with HIV by looking at them. You should always protect yourself  !

• Use condoms for sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal and oral). This will help protect you from HIV, other sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy. Both male and female condoms can be used. Extra strong condoms with water- based lubricant should be used for anal sex. Use condoms with the European CE mark or the British Standard Kitemark.
• Avoid injecting drugs. If you do inject drugs, do not share needles, syringes, spoons, water, filter, straws or any other injecting equipment. This will also help to protect you from hepatitis B and C infection.
• Avoid skin piercing procedures with unsterilised equipment e.g. tattoos.
• Do not share toothbrushes or razors.
• Always cover any cuts or wounds immediately with a waterproof dressing e.g. Elastoplasts.
• Clean up spilled blood immediately, wearing rubber gloves and use a weak bleach solution for hard surfaces. On carpets and soft furnishings use lots of hot soapy water to clean the area and dry as well as possible.

Is there a test for HIV?

There is a test which looks for antibodies against HIV in the blood.  These antibodies develop as a result of becoming infected with HIV.

The antibodies may take up to three months before they show up in the blood. This is called the 'window period'.  If there has been a risk of infection during this time, the test results may not have had enough time to become positive and it may be necessary to have another test at a later date.

If the test is HIV negative, this means you do not have HIV antibodies and you are not infected.  If the test is positive it means you are infected with HIV.

!  Having a test in itself does not affect current or future life insurance policies.  However, a positive result may affect future applications, and should be declared  !

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What happens if the HIV test is positive?

!  If the test shows that you have become infected with HIV you should be referred to a specialist by your doctor  !

There are drug treatments for HIV that slow down progression of the disease.  There are also drug treatments for 'opportunistic infections' for people with AIDS.  The specialist doctor will discuss treatments with you.

Knowing that you are positive may prevent transmission to others.

There is ongoing research into drug treatments.  At present, there is no cure for HIV.

If you have HIV infection

Telling your doctor, dentist and midwife is in your best interest and is advised. It will help them provide the best care for you, BUT it is your choice whether or not you tell anyone you are HIV positive.

Please DO

• Always practise safer sex, use barrier methods of contraception e.g. condoms for sexual intercourse.
• Inform sexual partners past and present so that they can think about testing. Help to do this is available from the genito-urinary medicine clinic.
• Inform the doctors / nurses looking after you if you know you are HIV positive and pregnant, or are thinking of becoming pregnant.  They can provide specialist care and treatment to reduce the risk of your baby becoming infected with HIV.
• Consider telling anyone else who may be at risk if they have direct contact with your blood.
• Cover any cuts, scratches or open wounds with waterproof dressings.
• Wherever possible, if your blood splashes or spills, clean it up yourself.
• Dispose of sanitary protection in the correct way, e.g. flushing away, or wrapped well before placing in the waste units.

Please DO NOT

• Have unprotected sex (vaginal, anal or oral).
• Be a blood donor or carry an organ donor card.
• Share syringes, needles and other injecting equipment.
• Share your toothbrush or razor.

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Where to go

Your own GP may provide testing, advice and support about any of the subjects covered in this leaflet.

Specialist services are listed below.

For treatment of HIV infection:

Infectious Diseases Clinic, The Infection Unit, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, AB25 2ZN
Tel (01224) 554727

For confidential testing, advice, support and treatment:

Genito-Urinary Medicine Clinic, Woolmanhill Hospital, Aberdeen AB25 1LD
Tel (01224) 555555  www.nhsgrampian.org/sexualhealth

For contraceptive and reproductive services:

Square 13 (01224) 642711  www.nhsgrampian.org/sexualhealth

For drug misuse concerns:

Drugs Action (01224) 594700
Substance Misuse Service (01224) 404991

For general enquiries and information on all health issues call:

Free Healthline 0500 20 20 30

Local helpine:

Grampian AIDS Line (01224) 574000

If you need this information or any other NHS Grampian publication in an alternative format (large print, audio tape etc.) or in another language please contact Corporate Communications:
Tel: (01224) 554400
email: grampian@nhs.net