Information Sheet No. 2
HIV/AIDS
What is HIV/AIDS?
The Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV) is a
virus that attacks the body’s immune system.
HIV leads to Acquired Immuno Deficiency
Syndrome (AIDS). AIDS refers to a state where the
immune system is extremely weak and prone to
severe opportunistic infections.
How is HIV transmitted?
HIV is transmitted primarily through blood,
semen and vaginal fluid. The main modes of
transmission are:
- Unprotected sexual contact where body
fluids are exchanged (vaginal, anal or oral
intercourse); - Infected blood transmission;
- Sharing infected needles/syringes; and
- Infected mother to child during pregnancy
or childbirth.
HIV is not spread through casual contact such as
hugging, sneezing, mosquito bites, or sharing
utensils with a person who is infected.
What are the symptoms of
HIV/AIDS?
People infected with HIV often have no symptoms
for many years. Once HIV enters a person’s body, s/
he may experience flu-like symptoms within 2 to 6
weeks. After infection, there is a window period of
between 6 to 12 weeks during which a routine blood
test will not show a positive result. HIV can be
transmitted during this time, even before
symptoms appear.
Persons living with HIV may experience chronic
fever, diarrhea and weight loss.
As the disease pr ogresses, the body is prone to
opportunistic infections such as thrush, pneumonia
and tuberculosis.How is HIV prevented?
There is no cure for HIV, although antiretroviral
(ARV) drugs help boost the body’s immune
system to fight opportunistic infections and
increase the life span.HIV can be prevented through:
- Safer sex: Abstinence, being faithful in a
monogamous relationship, or using condoms
correctly and consistently for every sexual act
can prevent sexual transmission; - Using sterilized needles and syringes and
avoiding sharing needles; - Screening blood and blood products and
avoiding transfusion of untested blood; and - Preventing mother to child transmission
through counseling on the options and risks
involved, provision of available drugs during
pregnancy and appropriate breastfeeding
practices.
Women and HIV
Women are biologically, culturally and socially more
vulnerable to HIV. Women are more likely (four to
ten times) to contract HIV through vaginal
intercourse, as there are more entry points for the
virus in the female genitalia compared to men.
Gender dynamics render women more vulnerable
through discriminatory practices, lack of decision-
making power and unequal status in social or
cultural affairs. Women are thus often placed in
circumstances in which it is difficult to negotiate the
terms or safety of sex.