HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
Description:
It is a virus called the Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
Effects:
- You can pass it on to your sexual partner(s)
- You can infect your baby during pregnancy and birth
- You may get AIDS (Acquired Immuno-deficiency Syndrome). This happens when the virus breaks down your immune system until it gets to a stage when you cannot fight certain infections
Cause:
- Unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex
- From a HIV positive mother to her baby during pregnancy, at birth or in breast milk
- Sharing drug using equipment with an infected person
- Some people have acquired HIV through infected blood or blood products
Symptoms:
- There are usually no obvious symptoms in the early years
Treatment:
- Prescribed HIV medication
Prevention:
- Don’t have intimate sexual contact
- Protect your sexual health - always use a new condom correctly and put it on before you have sex
- Don’t share needles
- If you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, have a HIV test
Source: Health Service Executive (HSE), 2007
HPSC factsheet - HIV
