1. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus, which is the virus that causes HIV infection.AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection.

2. HIV is spread through contact with body fluids from a person infected with HIV. This can occur during sexual contact, shared needles and blood transfusion.

3. HIV is spread mainly by having sex. Even having sex only once with a person infected with HIV can transmit the virus to another person.HIV transmission is possible even if an HIV-infected person has no symptoms of HIV.

4. The mother can infect her baby during pregnancy and child birth.

5. Soon after infection with HIV, many people have flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, or rash.

6. More severe symptoms of HIV infection, such as chronic diarrhoea, rapid weight loss, and other signs of opportunistic infections, generally don't appear for many years.

7. Without treatment, HIV can advance to AIDS. The time it takes for HIV to advance to AIDS varies, but it can take 10 years or more.

8. The infection can only be transmitted through human to human, not through animals or insect bites or through daily activities.

9. Is there a cure for HIV? The answer is No.

10. Antiretroviral therapy (ART), however, can dramatically prolong the lives of many people infected with HIV and lower their chance of infecting others. It is important that people get tested for HIV and know that they are infected early so that medical care and treatment have the greatest effect.

Prevention

Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent HIV infection nor is there a cure for HIV/AIDS. To reduce your risk of becoming infected with HIV or transmitting the virus to others

•   Get tested regularly for HIV
•   Practice abstinence
•   Remain faithful to your spouse or partner
•   Consistently use male latex or female polyurethane condoms
•   Do not share needles