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.

Video: I Have HIV and I Have Hope

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 through unprotected oral, anal or vaginal sex or sharing needles 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 HIV is present in the blood, 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).

You can get tested for HIV through your private doctor, a clinic or by buying an HIV test kit through the internet. To check one out, click here. However, we highly recommend going to a clinic for HIV testing. Just in case you test positive it is much better to have some support, like someone knowledgeable and caring to talk to about it.

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 "Does HIV Look Like Me?" and "Love & HIV: A Relationship That Works!"