Facts about HIV / Aids infection - and FAQ's

Even after the extended time that we have had Aids round, there are still some myths and ideas regarding this dangerous disease. With some often-repeated "local legends", some of the information and facts about HIV infection gets distorted and clouded.

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Some facts about HIV infection

Here are some very basic facts about HIV infection to remember:

The virus is present in blood, semen, male pre-seminal fluid (cum) and female vaginal fluid, and to a lesser degree in saliva (see page on open-mouth French kissing).
The virus is transmitted by sexual contact with an infected person.
The virus is transmitted by using infected syringes and needles (see page on intravenous recreational drug use) and is also transmitted through infected blood and blood products.
You cannot be infected with the virus through casual contact like shaking hands, or a chaste peck-on-the-cheek kiss.
People suffering with any sexually transmitted disease/s are more susceptible to contract the virus.
Symptoms may or may not appear within 3 - 6 months or could only appear later and could take years to manifest. This is what makes management of HIV infection difficult, since the incubation time of symptoms vary from person to person and also depends on the general health and immune system of the person.
Affected people can presently not be cured, yet many treatments are available to assist the infected person's immune system.
Condoms are not a perfect barrier or a 100% guarantee, yet they do offer some form of protection, and it is generally held that it is best to use a condom (see page on condoms)