Roughly 1.2 million Americans are living with HIV. Of those, some 13% are unaware that they are HIV-positive. While groups with the greatest risk include men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender women, Black women, and people who inject drugs, anyone can contract HIV. That’s why protecting your health is essential.

Here’s what to understand about HIV and AIDS, as well as how to stay protected.

The Difference Between HIV and AIDS

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, which is what helps us fight viruses, bacterial infections, and diseases. If HIV isn’t detected and treated, it becomes harder for the immune system to fight infections and cancers. These infections and cancers take advantage of a person’s weakened immune system, causing their illness to worsen, and often indicate that the person officially has AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).

How HIV Spreads

Most people in the United States are exposed to HIV by having sex with someone with the virus. HIV can also be passed directly into the bloodstream by sharing needles or syringes with someone who has HIV. Certain body fluids, such as blood, semen, pre-ejaculation fluid, vaginal fluids, rectal/anal fluids, and breast milk, can also transmit HIV.

HIV is not spread through casual contact like kissing, shaking hands, hugging, using a toilet, or sharing drinking glasses. Bodily fluids like saliva, sweat, and tears do not transmit HIV.

The Best Ways to Protect Yourself

 Simple, easy prevention methods include:

• Getting Tested — This is the only way to determine if somebody is infected. Knowing your status gives you the best chance to treat the disease effectively, as well as keep others safe.
• Using Condoms — Be sure to do so every time you have sex.
• Avoiding Cross-Contamination — Never share needles or syringes with others.
• Using PrEP — PrEP, or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, is a daily medicine that can help people protect themselves against HIV. Taken as prescribed, PrEP can greatly reduce the risk of getting HIV. Even if you take PrEP daily, you should still use condoms to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Taking PEP (in emergencies) — PEP, or Post-exposure Prophylaxis, is an emergency medicine that can stop HIV if started within 72 hours of exposure. It works best if the full 28-day course of medication is taken as prescribed.

Treatment and Precautions

While there is still no cure, there are ways to control HIV and keep people healthy, safe, and active. The most common and effective treatment for HIV is antiretroviral therapy (ART). Taken as prescribed, ART reduces the amount of HIV in the blood to levels so small they can’t be detected, which helps people live long, healthy lives, and reduces the chance of passing the disease to others. Since the introduction of ART, people who contract HIV and begin treatment have quickly seen their life-expectancy become almost identical to someone who does not have HIV.

ART, PrEP, and/or PEP can only be prescribed by a doctor. Most insurance plans, including Medi-Cal, cover ART, PrEP, and PEP. Free or low-cost ART, PrEP, and PEP are available for those who do not have health insurance. Visit our HIV Prevention and Care page to learn more about the treatments and services that may be available to you.

Staying Safe with AltaMed

The CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 gets tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care. For those in what are considered “high risk” categories, you should get tested at least once a year.

Ready to get started? AltaMed has locations close to home where you can access rapid HIV testing, PrEP, PEP, condoms, and other sexual health resources. Get started online or by calling (888) 499-9303.