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Did you know that prevention works?
Q. Why Should I Be Tested?
A. If you have ever had unprotected sex or shared needles and syringes you need to be tested.
Immune system monitoring and early treatment can greatly improve your long term health.
You will know whether or not you can infect others.
Women and their partners considering pregnancy can take advantage of treatments that potentially prevent transmission of HIV to the baby.
If you test negative, you may feel less anxious after testing.
Knowing you are positive may help you change behaviors that would put yourself and others at risk.
Q. What is HIV Antibody Testing?
A. HIV testing determines whether or not you are infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This virus destroys the body's ability to fight off illness, and is the cause of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).
Q. What is my risk of getting infected with HIV?
A. If you have unprotected oral, anal or vaginal sex you may be at risk for HIV infection. Sharing needles and syringes is also a way that HIV is transmitted. Lastly, HIV can be transmitted from an HIV infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, the birthing process or breastfeeding.
Q. Did you know that HIV and AIDS are not the same thing?
A. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus and AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS and AIDS is the end result of being HIV infected. You don't actually "get" AIDS. You might become infected with HIV and later you might develop AIDS.
THE BOTTOM LINE
HIV infection is preventable. Get tested today!
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