Conditions
HIV / AIDS
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a global pandemic and the fourth biggest killer worldwide. HIV is an incurable sexually transmitted infection that can be passed during unprotected anal, vaginal and also oral sex, via blood, semen, vaginal fluids and even breast milk. It can also be transmitted by sharing dirty needles, which places intravenous drug users at risk. Although gay men who engage in unprotected sex are a high risk group, anyone who fails to practice safe sex risks infection. A blood test (usually taken 1-3 months after the risk of infection has been identified) can detect the presence of the virus, which attacks the body’s immune system and leaves those infected susceptible to life-threatening conditions (AIDS is the latter stages of HIV when the immune system has stopped working). If you contract HIV, then counselling, regular blood tests, and a daily cocktail of drugs, which work to slow the progress of the virus and effectively manage the condition, will unfortunately become a way of life.
To find out more about HIV & AIDS there are numerous support groups:
NHS Choices
BUPA
Patient.co.uk
The Terrence Higgins Trust
Comments and Questions
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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
I tested negative 2,10 and 14 weeks after contact I read that it can take 10 years to show sometimes six months can I be sure at 14 weeks? The doctor and the gum clinic said that I could be sure but others are saying different it keeps hangin over my head can I be sure??
Hi. If someone was HIV +ve say Like magic Johnson and then they test negative later, is there a test that can be done after they test negative to show that they were positive/had the HIV virus before?
can you catch it through snogging?
I have had the virus since i was born i am 13 now and when i was born i was very sick but with the help of my doctors at manchester general hospital of my fantastic doctor's (Dr Wilkins,Dr Tan and Dr Dumbar) I was able to live an odenary life style of the everyday child just appart from the early morning at the late night because it will jog my memory that when i take my tablets that i have got this virus i just want this virus to be understood by everyone and people like me not to be treated any different so if i can live my life with HIV+(human imunodiffeciency virus) i hope ypu can as well.
i am not hiv+ but it is still always on my mind. From a young child my mom made me aware of it and back in the 80s it was a scary thing and it scared me. Was born early 80s and had 3 blood trasfusions when blood wasn't screened properly. I was one of the lucky ones but it makes me sad hearing people i know having unprotected sex and not being afraid of catchin hiv cos of the medication readily available. I wish they would take this illness seriously and its people like them who make up the statistic of unknown hiv carriers. I just dont know how to get through 2 them.
can you contract HIV or AIDS if a significant amount of an infected persons blood gets on your arm if you haven't got any open wounds?I was in a nightclub and a staff member told me my arm was bleeding but when we washed it off there was no cut on my arm so i must have brushed off of someone who was bleeding heavily without noticing.i am worried as i also suck my tumb and am afraid we didnt wash my arm and hands well enough. is there a risk of me becoming infected if this person has HIV/AIDS?
No, there's no chance inless you had an open wound. Which u say you didn't so i wouldnt worrie..
I was diagnoise HIV positive 11yrs ago when i was pregnant, my partner at the time tested negitive, my baby was also negitive, Could it be possible that i'm just a carrier and my HIV can't be transfer anyone?
is it ok to wear a used condom but not use it for sex ony for me to put on
hi there i tested negative at 2 weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks after exposure am i ok ? should i need to worry now?
They say the window period is 12week's for the virus to show up in ur system... So it's very unlikley!! 4 peice of mind get another test done in a month or so..
i got with a guy a few times we only kissed and masturbated. but i did give him head for about 3 seconds and he didnt cum, he stopped me because i guess he knew but do you think i still need a check up?
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