World AIDS day
HIV still exists in Australia. There were 833 new HIV diagnoses in Australia in 2018.1. This is the lowest number of diagnoses since 2010.
HIV can affect anyone. There is no vaccine or cure for HIV, however there are highly effective treatments. People with HIV take medications on a daily basis to maintain their HIV at an undetectable level and to keep them healthy. Today, HIV is considered a chronic but manageable condition, and people with HIV can lead long and healthy lives, with a similar life expectancy to a person who does not have HIV.
Like many other conditions, HIV can be prevented. By being informed about what HIV is and how it can be transmitted, we can take measures to look after ourselves and others.
So take the first step - inform yourself about HIV. This website contains important information about HIV, including how you can look after yourself and where to access more information and help.
What is HIV?
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a condition that can cause AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). HIV and AIDS are not the same thing.
Left untreated, HIV attacks the body’s immune system making the body vulnerable to infections and medical conditions that the immune system would be normally capable of controlling. People who have newly acquired HIV can experience flu like symptoms, but others do not notice any symptoms for many years.
What is AIDS?
AIDS is not an interchangeable term with HIV. People with HIV take daily treatment to prevent the virus from advancing into AIDS. Without treatment, people with HIV are at risk of developing AIDS. AIDS refers to the illnesses that can develop as a result of untreated HIV or in a person where current treatments have failed, and occurs when a person’s immune system has been severely damaged by HIV infection. People living with AIDS will be more likely to develop infections or certain cancers — diseases that wouldn't usually trouble a person with a healthy immune system.
People living with HIV in Australia may still develop AIDS, but this is now rare.
How is HIV transmitted?
HIV may be present in blood, semen, vaginal fluid, menstrual fluid, rectal fluids, and in breast milk. HIV may be transmitted when such fluids from a person with HIV enters the body of a person without HIV such as during anal or vaginal sex where preventative measures are not used. A range of preventative measures are described below. HIV may also be transmitted through the sharing of needles or through unsterile tattooing and piercing processes.
HIV is not an air-borne virus such as the flu. It cannot be passed on by hugging, kissing, shaking hands, coughing or sneezing, nor can it be transmitted through sharing toilets, washing facilities, eating utensils or consuming food and beverages handled by someone who has HIV.
How can I help prevent HIV transmission?
Practice safer sex
Condoms can help provide protection by preventing semen, vaginal fluid or menstrual blood from coming into direct contact with another person.
Everyone has mutual responsibility to look after each other not just from HIV but from other sexually transmissible infections (STI). Sex can be made safer by using either a male or female condom, and with water-based lubricants (lube); which help prevent condoms breaking. When used consistently, correctly and together, condoms and lube are effective against the transmission of HIV.
For more information & to read the article in full you can visit http://www.worldaidsday.org.au/internet/wad/publishing.nsf/Content/get-the-facts-1
