TOP 7 QUESTIONS ABOUT HIV, AIDS, & TESTING
How is HIV spread?
This virus is spread through bodily fluids (blood, mucous, semen). These fluids can be passed when sharing needles, having sex (vaginal, anal, or oral), or through contact with blood or semen. Touching infected blood, if you have an open sore, can pass this incurable virus. Sneezing, coughing, and sharing drink glasses or water bottles has a low chance of spreading infection.
If I test negative, am I in the clear?
If you have not waited long enough to test, your body may produce a false negative. There is a small window of time after you contract the virus before it is recognizable. Following the test instructions is important, but if it has been three months since you may have come in contact with the virus, any test will show positive, so a negative result is great news. It does not hurt to retest several months later, but is usually unnecessary if three months have passed.
How do I prevent the spread of HIV?
The only way to not spread HIV with certainty is to not have sex of any kind and to never share needles or swap blood with other people. Condoms do not stop the spread of HIV, only slightly lower the risk of catching it.
Are HIV and AIDS different?
Yes. HIV is the virus that is spread through contact with infected bodily fluids. AIDS is an advanced sickness caused by HIV that greatly lowers the body's ability to fight against other illnesses.
Is there a cure for HIV or AIDS?
At this time, the human body does not create the proper antibodies to resist or fight off HIV. Once acquired, it is a terminal illness, that will eventually lead to AIDS and ultimately, death..
What about medicine or pills?
Medical research has led to several breakthroughs that have helped to slow the spread of HIV within an individual and to hinder the effects of AIDS, but there is no cure at this time. Medicines such as PrEP can help high risk individuals avoid contracting HIV, but it is not a cure once you have acquired HIV or AIDS.
How long does it take for me to test positive once I have contracted HIV?
Certain tests can detect the virus as early as 5 days after infection. Our home test kits, which test antibodies for signs of the virus, are most effective two weeks to two months after exposure.
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