About HIV 

HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, our body’s natural defense against illness. If HIV is left untreated, a person’s immune system will get weaker and weaker until it can no longer fight off life-threatening infections and diseases.

• HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and is the virus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

• HIV left untreated weakens a person’s immune system until it can no longer fight off other life-threatening infections and diseases.

• AIDS is the final stage of the HIV infection when your body can no longer fight life-threatening illnesses and may lead to death.

• It is important to note that, unlike other viruses, the human body cannot get rid of HIV completely, and so once a person gets infected with HIV, they have it for life.

• There is no cure for HIV, although Antiretroviral Treatment (ARTs) can control the virus, meaning that people with HIV can live long and healthy lives.

• HIV is found in semen, blood, vaginal and anal fluids, and breastmilk.

• HIV can’t be transmitted through sweat, saliva, or urine.

• Abstinence, being faithful to a sexual partner whose HIV status you know, and using male and female condoms during sex are the best ways to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

• The best thing to do for your health is to protect yourself against getting infected. 

• Testing for HIV is the only way to know your HIV status, which ensures that If you have the virus, you can start antiretroviral treatment as soon as possible and keep taking it regularly as prescribed.

• Antiretroviral treatment stops HIV from making copies of itself. This reduces the viral load to low levels and is important for maintaining a healthy life if infected with HIV.

• People living with HIV can enjoy a long and healthy life by taking antiretroviral treatment, which is effective and available for free to all.