Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers

HIV and AIDS

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Lindsay Huth, B.A.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: May 2002
Last Revision Date: June 2002

• What is HIV?
• What is AIDS?
• Is having HIV the same as having AIDS?
• Is HIV contagious?
• Who is at risk?
• How do I know who has HIV?
• What are the signs and symptoms of HIV?
• What are some common symptoms and illnesses of AIDS?
• How are HIV and AIDS treated?
• How can I protect myself against HIV and AIDS?
• What if I have HIV or AIDS?
• When should I call the doctor?

What is HIV?

• HIV is the name of a virus.
• It stands for Human Immunodefiency Virus.
• HIV is the virus that causes the disease called AIDS.

What is AIDS?

• AIDS is the name of a disease.
• It stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
• AIDS is caused by an HIV infection.
• A person with AIDS is contagious. They still have the HIV virus and can pass it to another person.

Is having HIV the same as having AIDS?

• No. Having HIV is not the same as having AIDS.
• HIV is a virus.
• AIDS is a disease caused by an HIV infection.
• Not everyone with HIV has AIDS.
• Many people with HIV will get AIDS.
• HIV weakens the body's immune system (the system that fights off infections).
• A person with HIV has few healthy, disease-fighting cells. The body cannot fight infection because HIV has destroyed many of these cells.
• When a person with HIV gets an infection, he will probably get very sick. The infection will lead to AIDS.
• A person may have HIV for years before he gets AIDS.

Is HIV contagious?

• Yes. HIV is contagious.
• It is very important to have a clear understanding of how HIV can be passed from person to person.
• Even if a person with HIV doesn't feel or look sick, he is still contagious.
• HIV is not like having a cold. When you have a cold, you have to cover your mouth when you cough so that your germs don't infect someone standing nearby. HIV can't be passed to another person by coughing.
• HIV can't be passed by coughing, sneezing, touching hands, or even kissing someone. You can learn in the same classroom, swim in the same pool, and even use the same bathroom of a person with HIV and not get infected.
• HIV can only be passed by contact with an infected person's blood or body fluid.
• You can be infected with HIV by:
  • having sex with an infected person. This includes oral sex, anal sex, and sexual intercourse.
  • sharing needles or syringes with an infected person.
  • an infected mother passing the infection to her baby.
  • blood transfusions (when people lose a lot of blood from an injury, doctors sometimes replace it with other peoples' blood). Getting HIV this way is very rare. Doctors test the blood for HIV and do not use it if it is infected.
• The HIV virus can be found in body fluids. The fluids you must protect yourself and others against are blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk.

Who is at risk?

• Anyone, of any gender, age, race, or sexuality can get HIV.
• Heterosexuals, homosexuals, and bisexuals can get HIV.
• People who take drugs using needles are especially at risk.
• Babies born to mothers with HIV are at high risk for infection.
• People with many sexual partners (or many sexual partners in the past) are at higher risk. This person's past and current sexual partners are at risk.

How do I know who has HIV?

• You cannot tell by looking at a person whether or not he has HIV. Even a doctor cannot tell.
• A small sample of blood must be tested to see if a person is infected.
• People who have HIV are called "HIV positive."
• People who do not have HIV are called "HIV negative."
• These tests are private. Doctors cannot tell other people whether or not a person is HIV positive or negative.
• Call your doctor or local hospital to find out where you can be tested. Some places test for free.
• If you know a person who has HIV, it's okay to be around him, including touching him. HIV is not spread by casual contact.

What are the signs and symptoms of HIV?

• People with an HIV infection may not have symptoms. Some people do not know they are infected because they never feel sick.
• Some people may feel a little sick after being infected. Their symptoms may be like the flu and will probably go away in a few days.
• If a person doesn't know he has HIV, then he probably isn't taking medicine to fight the infection. Over time, the infection will spread throughout his body.
• The person may start to have a sore throat, swollen glands, headache, weight loss, fevers, mouth sores, muscle aches, diarrhea, and a constant feeling of being tired.
• These symptoms usually show up within 10 years of being infected.
• A person with HIV may get AIDS.

What are some common symptoms and illnesses of AIDS?

Symptoms

• Dementia (cannot think as fast or as clearly)
• Infections (in the brain, blood, genital area, etc.)
• Extreme weight loss
• Night sweats
• Fever, chills
• Mouth sores
• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Feeling constantly tired
• Diarrhea

Illnesses

• Herpes
• Tuberculosis
• Yeast Infections
• Cancer
• Meningitis

How are HIV and AIDS treated?

• There is no cure for HIV or AIDS.
• It can be treated. Medicine can help slow down the infection and fight off other infections.
• People with HIV may live longer if they take medicine.
• If you are at risk for having HIV (see "Risks" above) you should be tested. Even if you feel fine, if you have HIV you should start treatment right away.
• Even with treatment, a person with HIV may get AIDS.

How can I protect myself against HIV and AIDS?

• You can't tell who is HIV positive and who isn't. You must always protect yourself.
• The fluids you must protect yourself and others against are blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk.
• The best way to protect yourself is to not have sex. This includes oral sex, anal sex, and sexual intercourse.
• If you do have sex, use a latex condom. It must be latex.
• Use a new latex condom each time you have sex. This includes oral sex, anal sex, and sexual intercourse.
• Never put oily gel on a condom.
• Do not have sex with a person who takes drugs using needles.
• There is always a risk of getting HIV if you have sex, even if you have protected sex or "safe sex." It is never 100% safe unless you and your partner have both been recently tested for HIV and know you both are HIV negative.
• For more information about sexual protection, read "Contraception." Some methods protect against pregnancy but not HIV.
• Do not take drugs, especially using needles.
• If you do use needles, do not share needles.
• Do not share needles even if you clean them. They may still be infected with HIV.
• Some communities have special programs to give drug users clean needles.
• Never touch another person's cuts or sores. Do not touch another person's blood. Wear gloves when giving first aid.
• Tell a doctor if you accidentally get stuck with a needle.
• Pregnant women should be tested for HIV. If they are positive, they need medication so that the infection is not passed to the baby.
• In the United States, HIV positive mothers should not breastfeed their infants.

What if I have HIV or AIDS?

• Learn more about HIV and AIDS so you can protect others and better understand your condition and treatment.
• Do not share needles.
• Tell you past sexual partners so they can be tested.
• It is especially important to tell partners who are or may be pregnant.
• Do not have sex. If you have sex, tell your partner you are HIV positive before you have sex.
• Protect yourself and your partner if you have sex. See "Protection."
• If you are an HIV positive woman, talk to your doctor before getting pregnant or if you are already pregnant.
• If you are an HIV positive mother, do not breastfeed your baby.
• Take your medicine exactly as your doctor prescribes. Tell your doctor before trying any other medicines or treatments. Medicines you read about on the Internet, for example, may not be helpful.
• Ask your doctor about joining a local support group for people affected by HIV or AIDS. Invite family and friends to join you.
• Don't smoke. Eat healthy. Drink pure water. Exercise. Get plenty of rest. Wash hands often, especially around food and pets.

When should I call the doctor?

• Call the doctor if you are at risk for an HIV infection.
• Call the doctor if you have symptoms of AIDS.
• Call the doctor if your sexual partner has HIV.
• Call your doctor if you have questions about how to protect yourself against HIV.
• Call your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your treatment or condition.

Quick Answers

• Having HIV is not the same as having AIDS.
• HIV is a virus. An HIV infection causes AIDS.
• HIV is contagious. It is passed from person to person through blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk.
• Anyone, of any gender, age, race, or sexuality can get HIV.
• You cannot tell by looking at a person if he has HIV. A small sample of blood must be tested by a doctor.
• People with HIV may not have symptoms until 10 years or more after they are infected.
• AIDS is a disease caused by an HIV infection.
• People with AIDS can be affected by many symptoms, including fever, weight loss, infections, or diarrhea. They may also be affected by illnesses, such as herpes or cancer.
• There is no cure for HIV or AIDS but they can be treated. Medications can help slow the infection. With treatment, patients may live longer.
• The best way to protect yourself against HIV is to not have sex. If you have sex, use a new latex condom each time. Do not use drugs. If you use drugs, do not share needles.
• If you have HIV, learn more about HIV and AIDS so you can protect others and better understand your condition and treatment.
• Call the doctor if you are at risk for an HIV infection, even if you feel okay.

References

• DiPentima C. HIV and AIDS. KidsHealth. 2001 November 2001 (cited 2002 April 24). URL: http://www.kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=KidsHealth&lic=1&ps=307&cat_id=20084&article_set=20754
• MayoClinic. What is HIV/AIDS? 2001 February 28 (cited 2002 April 25). URL: http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=DS00005&printpage=true
• MEDLINEplus: Medical Encyclopedia. AIDS. 2001 March 12 (cited 2002 April 25). URL: http;//www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/ooo594.htm
• MEDLINEplus: Medical Encyclopedia. HIV Infection. 2001 February 20 (cited 2002 April 25). URL: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000602.htm

See related Patient Topics AIDS, Child and Teen Health, Food, Nutrition and Metabolism, Immune System/AIDS, Infections, Men's Health, Sexual Health, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Teen Health or Women's Health.

See related Provider Topics Child and Teen Health, Food, Nutrition and Metabolism, Immune System/AIDS, Infections, Men's Health, Sexual Health, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Teen Health or Women's Health.

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