FAQ
- What is the relation between AIDS and HIV?
- What happens to a HIV-infected person?
- How is HIV spread?
- How can we prevent HIV infection?
What is the relation between AIDS and HIV?
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The HIV infection will gradually destroy the body's immune system.
What happens to a HIV-infected person?
A HIV-infected person may experience the following symptoms:
- fever
- sore throat
- muscular stiffness or aching
- headache
- diarrhoea
- swollen lymph glands
- fatigue
- rash of various types
- joint pain
How is HIV spread?
HIV is spread through sexual contact including oral, vaginal, and anal sex; via blood through transfusions or needle sharing; and from a pregnant woman to the foetus she is carrying or a nursing mother to her baby.
The infection is NOT spread by casual contact such as hugging and touching, by inanimate objects such as dishes or toilet seats, or by mosquitoes.
How can we prevent HIV infection?
Always practise safe sex by using condom (although this does not give 100% protection from HIV) and have one sexual partner.
