VOICES FROM CARE (CYMRU)
For All Young People Who Are Or Have Been Looked After In Wales
 
HIV & AIDS
         
 

Whatever your culture, race and sexuality, whether man or woman, it’s not who you are but what you do that is important in preventing HIV.
We are all at risk.

Know the basics of Aids and HIV.

HIV is a virus that can damage the body’s defense system so that it cannot fight off certain infections.
AIDS is not a single disease or condition. It is the word used to describe the point at which a person’s immune system can no longer cope with the damage caused by HIV and the person develops one or more specific illnesses. Today the word AIDS is not frequently used – it has been replaced with the term advanced or late-stage HIV.

 
H
Human
      
A
Acquired
    
 
I
Immunodeficiency
     
I
Immune
    
 
V
Virus
     
D
Deficiency
    
           
S
Syndrome
    
                   

IS THERE A CURE?
There is no cure for the HIV virus, but there treatments for many of the illnesses that people with HIV are prone to. In the last 10 years there has been great progress in the development of anti-retroviral therapy, which has made great in-roads to the quality of life for people living with HIV. The development of AIDS is no longer an inevitable consequence of an HIV diagnosis if the condition and treatment is well managed.

 

HOW BIG IS THE PROBLEM?
HIV infection is spread throughout the world, but there are currently some parts of the world where known levels of infection are higher than in others. Worldwide the commonest way of becoming infected is by sex between men and women.

In the UK people continue to get infected every year.

HOW IS HIV PASSED ON?
HIV can be passed from one person’s blood stream into the blood stream of another person in the following ways:


Semen and seminal fluid released before ejaculation


Vaginal fluids, including menstrual fluids (periods)


Blood

Breast milk

YOU CANNOT GET HIV THROUGH:


KISSING, TOUCHING, HUGGING, SHAKING HANDS
SHARING CROCKERY AND CUTLERY
COUGHING OR SNEEZING
CONTACT WITH TOILET SEATS
INSECT OR ANIMAL BITES
SWIMMING POOLS
EATING FOOD PREPARED BY SOMEONE WITH HIV
     
 

Reducing The Risk

Know the facts about HIV and other Sexual Transmitted Diseases
Practice SAFER sex
Intravenous drug users should always use FRESH needles and should NOT SHARE drug equipment with others.

If you have any concerns about your sexual health visit your GP, sexual health or family planning clinic.
  
 

 

 

  
 

 Useful Websites:

The following websites give more detailed facts about HIV, contact details and information on living with HIV.

 

 www.THT.org.uk – offers advice and support on a regional basis and they run a confidential helpline on 0845 12 21 200

www.positivelywomen.org.uk – specialist advice and support by women living with HIV

 

www.avert.org.uk – an international charity, international information on HIV. Read about the experiences of young people living with HIV.

www.playingsafely.co.uk – advice for under 25s and a search facility for nearest clinic

Sexual Health Helpline Wales – advice on sexual health and local clinics 0845 604 8484 (local rate)
8.00am – 8.00pm, Monday – Friday
10.00am – 2.00pm, Saturday

Sexwise – free helpline for 12 – 18 year olds
0800 282 930

 
 
     
     

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