HIV/AIDS
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that weakens a person’s immune system by destroying important cells that fight disease and infection. If HIV is left untreated it can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). There are multiple ways to acquire HIV. Currently, there is no effective cure that exists for HIV.
Important Facts
PreP is a prevention method in which people who do not have HIV infection take a pill daily to reduce their risk of becoming infected by more than 90%. PreP should always be combined with other prevention options, such as condoms.
Transmission Facts
HIV is not transmitted by air, swimming, sweat, tears, closed-mouth kissing, insects or pets. HIV cannot be transmitted through the sharing of toilets, food or drinks. The virus is transmitted by having unprotected anal or vaginal sex with someone who has HIV.
A person infected can infect others by transferring blood, semen (cum), pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum), rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk to another person. Transmission is also possible if needles or syringes are shared with someone who has HIV.
HIV can affect anyone regardless of sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, gender or age. There are some groups of people in the United States that are more likely to contract HIV than others. Incidents are higher because of factors such as sex partners, risk behaviors and where they live.
HIV is not transmitted by Swimming
HIV is not transmitted by Sweat
HIV is not transmitted by Insects
HIV is not transmitted by Sharing of toilets
Step Up. Get Tested.
The only way to know for sure if you have HIV/AIDS is to get tested. The CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV/AIDS as part of routine health care. Knowing your HIV/AIDS status arms you with powerful information that equips you to keep yourself and your partner healthy.
Many people contract HIV annually. A large percentage of cases are youth 13-24 years of age. If diagnosed and treated, life expectancy is close to persons without HIV. Unfortunately, a person diagnosed and not treated lives less than half as many years. Reduce your risk of HIV infection, by using condoms correctly every time you have vaginal, oral or anal sex.
PreP
PreP is a prevention method in which people who do not have HIV infection take a pill daily to reduce their risk of becoming infected by more than 90%. PreP should always be combined with other prevention options, such as condoms.
Community Partners
AID Atlanta
1605 Peachtree St NE,
Atlanta, GA 30309
404-870-770
www.aidatlanta.org
ANIZ Inc.
236 Forsyth St SW #300
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-521-2410
www.aniz.org
Empowerment Resource Center
100 Edgewood Ave NE #1020
Atlanta, GA 30303
www.erc-inc.org
Grady Health System—Infectious Disease Program
341 Ponce De Leon Ave,
Atlanta, GA 30308
404-616-2240
www.gradyhealth.org.specialty/ponce-de-leon- center/
Jerusalem House
17 Executive Park S # 290
Atlanta, GA 30329
404 -350-1633
www.jerusalemhouse.org
Positive Impact
1117 West Peachtree St NW
Atlanta, GA 30309
404-589-9040
www.positiveimpacthealthcenters.org
Ryan White Early Care Clinic – Richardson Health Center
445 Winn Way, Room 119
Decatur, GA 30030
404-508-7866
HIV: Fact Sheet
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