An abbreviation for Acquired immunodeficiency/immune deficiency syndrome. It is a syndrome caused by HIV. However, not everybody who is HIV+ has AIDS.

AIDS causes the body’s immune system to be damaged, and as a result, compromises the body’s ability to fight off diseases and keep the body healthy, and thus can cause severe, life-threatening complications.

There is no cure for AIDS, but there are treatments to keep people with AIDS more healthy. This is why HIV prevention, such as safe sex, is important.

an initialism of Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a type of retrovirus that damages the human immune system: thus, it compromises the body’s ability to fight off illnesses.

As a result, as HIV continues to weaken and damage a person’s immune system, it leads to the development of AIDS. People that have HIV are known to be HIV+. Not all people that are HIV+ also have AIDS; if left untreated, HIV+ typically develop AIDS, but with the help of antiviral treatments, people who are HIV+ are at a far lower risk of developing AIDS as a result.

There is no cure for either HIV or AIDS, however.

HIV is transmitted through certain body liquids: blood, semen, vaginal and anal liquids, and breast milk. It is not transmitted through saliva, tears or sweat, nor can it be spread from hugging, coughing/sneezing, sharing dishes or using the same facilities as someone who is HIV+.

As such, some common ways that HIV is transmitted is through unprotected sexual intercourse; by using needles that may have been used by a person with HIV; from mothers during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding; or from blood transfusions when blood is used from someone who is HIV+.

As such, safe sex is an important thing to do in order to avoid acquiring or transmitting HIV, and it is important for people not to share or use previously-used needles (to inject drugs, for example). It is also important to ensure that any tattoos you may get are from licensed, trustworthy facilities.

a term referring to subjects relating to both HIV and AIDS. HIV and AIDS are not synonymous terms; HIV is the retrovirus that causes AIDS to develop. Not all people that are HIV+ have AIDS, and people that are on treatment for HIV are far less likely to develop AIDS than those who are untreated.

There is no cure for either HIV or AIDS.

Because of the close relationship between HIV and AIDS, they are often referred to as “HIV/AIDS” together, as medical, social and policy interventions need to take both HIV and AIDS into account.

HIV/AIDS was previously known as GRID: gay-related immune deficiency, as it was thought to be a “gay disease” that only effected men who had sex with men. This was soon shown to be false, however, although the false perception remained for a long time afterwards.

if an individual is HIV+, it means they have HIV in their system (that is, that they are infected with the retrovirus called HIV).

Not all people that are HIV+ have AIDS. However, if left untreated without medication, HIV will weaken you immune system to the point that you will develop AIDS.

the variety of methods or devices used to reduce the risks associated with sexual activity; such as using condoms to prevent the risk of acquiring or transmitting sexually transmitted infections, like HIV and other risks such as pregnancy (although most forms of birth control do not protect against STIs).

now typically referred to as a sexually transmitted infection.

shortened to STI, and previously commonly referred to as a sexually transmitted disease. STIs are infections that are commonly spread through sexual activity, particularly vaginal, anal and oral sex, and are either bacterial STIs, viral STIs or parasitic STIs.

Many STIs do not have immediate symptoms, which means they can be at risk of being passed on to others as the carrier may not be aware they have an STI. Signs and symptoms of an STI may include vaginal or penile discharge, ulcers around or on the genitals and pelvic pain.

If left untreated, STIs can cause serious health complications and can also be passed onto infants before or during childbirth.

As a result, it is important to practice safe sex.