Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Human Immunodeficiency Virus is the virus which causes AIDS. It is contracted by contact with the blood, semen or vaginal secretions of an infected person. Once infected, a person may remain healthy for years. When an HIV infected person (HIV positive) becomes ill he has AIDS .

Risk Factors

People at risk for HIV who should be tested are people:

• Who have had unprotected sex with others whose HIV status is unknown.

• Who have had unprotected sex with anyone who is HIV positive.

• Who have other sexually transmitted diseases (makes it easier to contract HIV).

• Who have shared needles.

• Who have had unprotected sex with anyone who falls into the above categories.

The Test

If a screening test is positive it is verified by performing a Western Blot. If positive, these tests together are greater than 99% accurate. A negative result means no HIV antibodies have been detected. Such antibodies will usually be detected within 3 months, but may occasionally take up to 6 months to be detected. To be certain that one is HIV negative one must be tested after 6 months from the time of one’s possible exposure.

For more information call the CDC National AIDS Hotline at:

1-800-342-AIDS.