HIV 101

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that is associated with the immune-system disorder known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

The Difference Between HIV and AIDS
HIV is a retrovirus that can be passed from person to person if HIV in blood, semen, vaginal secretions, or breast milk enters the bloodstream. HIV is contagious, meaning it can be passed from one person to another person, under very specific circumstances.
HIV is not transmitted through the air, nor can it be passed through ordinary contact with someone who has HIV. HIV can be passed in the following ways:

• During sexual activity that puts HIV in blood, semen, or vaginal secretions into another person's vagina, rectum, mouth, or bloodstream.
• Through sharing injection equipment such as syringes, either to inject drugs or for medical purposes such as injecting insulin or hormones From HIV-positive mother to her child, during pregnancy/childbirth or through breastfeeding. Treatments are now available for pregnant HIV-positive women
• Receiving a transfusion of blood or blood products containing HIV. The United States screens the blood supply for HIV, so this risk is very minimal.

AIDS is not contagious - it cannot be transmitted from person to person. AIDS is a medical diagnosis and surveillance term, used to describe the stage of HIV disease in which an HIV-positive person's CD4+ cell count falls below 200, and/or the HIV-positive person develops one or more AIDS-Defining Illnesses. Currently, there are 23 different conditions that are recognized as AIDS-Defining Illnesses in the United States.