The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a viral infection that leads to a usually fatal disease known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When people first get infected with HIV, they often have no or very mild symptoms. Later, the virus develops into AIDS. Then people often get sick, because their immune system, which fights off diseases and germs, is weak and not working right.

HIV is spread through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk. If people already have a sexually transmitted infection, their chances of getting HIV are increased if they�re exposed to it.

People who�ve been exposed to HIV need to wait three to six months after exposure before they can take an HIV test and get accurate results. If they test too early, they might not realize that have HIV, but they�ll still be able to pass the virus to others. This three-to-six-month period is called a �window� period.

Testing for HIV is either a blood test or a swab of cells from inside the mouth. HIV testing can be done anonymously (meaning you don�t give your name or any identifying information) or confidentially (meaning test results are private and can�t be released to anyone else).

Over time, a person with HIV gets sick and is considered to have AIDS. There are treatments to help build the immune system, decrease the amount of the HIV virus in the body, and treat the different illnesses. But AIDS is not curable, and, over time, most sufferers will die of complications due to certain types of cancer or pneumonia.

For more information, check out the following sites:

• Know HIV/AIDS
• The Body

Want to get tested for HIV? Find a site through National HIV Testing Resources.

And for more info, check out the SEX, ETC. stories �HIV-Positive Youths Spread the Word� and �Facing the Facts: Two Teens Get Tested for HIV.�