National AIDS Research Institute, Pune-411 026

Home

FAQ's

1. What is HIV ?
	HIV stands for H -Human I -Immunodeficiency V-Virus
2. What is AIDS ?
	AIDS stands for A -Acquired I - Immune D -Deficiency S -Syndrome.
3. What is the difference between HIV and AIDS ?
	HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV weakens the body's immune system, which protects the body from diseases. When someone is infected with HIV, their weak immune system makes it easy for them to contract other diseases and infections. The last stage of HIV disease is called AIDS.
4. Which body fluids contain HIV?
	HIV is present in infectious quantities in Blood and blood products Semen Vaginal and cervical secretions Breast milk Amniotic fluid Cerebrospinal fluid Synovial fluid around bone joints HIV is present in negligible quantities in Saliva (only found in minute amounts in a very small number of people Tears Blister fluid HIV is not present in Urine Faeces Vomit Sweat
5. What are the main routes of HIV transmission ?
	The main ways of HIV transmission are Unprotected sexual intercourse with someone who is HIV infected. Transfusion of HIV infected products or blood products, skin grafts and organ transplants taken from someone who is HIV infected. From an HIV infected pregnent mother to her baby; this may be during the course of pregnancy, at birth and through breast-feeding. Sharing unsterilised injection needles that has been previously used by someone who is HIV infected.
Next