Test Regularly.

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First, know how do you require HIV?
What are the symptoms of HIV?
Risks!
And how to overcome the virus.
Pride For Youth Initiative works on health issues with our partners in order to live a better and healthy life.



HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS 

What is it and how do you get it?

It is a virus caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which affects the immune system and reduces the body’s ability to fight off infection.  AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)describes the status when an HIV positive person has a particularly low immune system and can no longer resist certain infections.

HIV is mainly detected in 4 bodily fluids: semen, vaginal fluids, blood, and breast milk.

The main routes of transmission of the HIV virus are:
  • Unprotected vaginal or anal sexual intercourse with an infected person.
  • Sharing infected needles (injecting drug users, needle stick injuries). 
  • Pregnant mother (with HIV) to the child, through blood or breast milk.
  • Transfusion with HIV Infected blood products.

    • (Note: Traces of HIV can also be found in saliva and urine)

    What are the Symptoms?

    Many people, both men, and women, affected by HIV have no obvious symptoms. A common sign after an infection is a flu-like illness due to a weakened immune system.

    Diagnosis and Treatment:

    The diagnosis is via a blood test. It can take up to 3 months from exposure for HIV to be detected. At the moment there is no cure for HIV or AIDS. There are drugs known as antiretroviral treatment (HAART) that reduce the level of HIV in the blood and prevent or delay the onset of AIDS. Unprotected sex should be avoided until everyone involved is tested and treated.  If you have had unsafe sex it is important to have an HIV test, that is the only way to be sure that you are not infected.

    Watch Out: If there has been a risk of exposure to HIV a blood test is recommended

    Risk Reduction:

    Have safer sex – always use a new condom correctly and put it on before you have penetrative sex. If injecting drugs, don’t share needles.     What is it and how do you get it?

    It is a virus caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which affects the immune system and reduces the body’s ability to fight off infection.  AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)describes the status when an HIV positive person has a particularly low immune system and can no longer resist certain infections.

    HIV is mainly detected in 4 bodily fluids: semen, vaginal fluids, blood, and breast milk.

    The main routes of transmission of the HIV virus are:


  • Unprotected vaginal or anal sexual intercourse with an infected person.
  • Sharing infected needles (injecting drug users, needle stick injuries). 
  • Pregnant mother (with HIV) to a child, through blood or breast milk.
  • Transfusion with HIV Infected blood products.

    • (Note: Traces of HIV can also be found in saliva and urine)

    What are the Symptoms?

    Many people, both men, and women, affected by HIV have no obvious symptoms. A common sign after an infection is a flu-like illness due to a weakened immune system.

    Diagnosis and Treatment:

    The diagnosis is via a blood test. It can take up to 3 months from exposure for HIV to be detected. At the moment there is no cure for HIV or AIDS. There are drugs known as antiretroviral treatment (HAART) that reduce the level of HIV in the blood and prevent or delay the onset of AIDS. Unprotected sex should be avoided until everyone involved is tested and treated.  If you have had unsafe sex it is important to have an HIV test, that is the only way to be sure that you are not infected.

    Watch Out: If there has been a risk of exposure to HIV a blood test is recommended

    Risk Reduction:

    Have safer sex – always use a new condom correctly and put it on before you have penetrative sex. If injecting drugs, don’t share needles.

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