1 of 14 / Overview
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- What Is HIV?- If you're just beginning to learn about HIV and AIDS, this is a good place to start. 
- HIV vs. AIDS- HIV is a virus. It may cause AIDS after you’ve been infected for several years and it’s weakened your immune system. 
- Types and Strains of HIV- There are two main types of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) -- HIV-1 and HIV-2. Both can lead to AIDS. 
- The Stages of HIV- Untreated HIV generally progresses through different stages and, eventually, to AIDS. 
2 of 14 / Symptoms
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- What Are the Symptoms of HIV?- Learn about early and late symptoms of HIV and AIDS. 
- Don't Wait for HIV Symptoms- HIV doesn’t affect everyone the same way. Some people notice signs soon after they get the virus. Others don’t. 
- HIV Symptoms in Men- Most of the time, the signs of HIV are the same for men and women. But there are a few symptoms that are unique to men. 
- HIV Symptoms in Women- The symptoms of HIV are mostly the same for men and women. But there are a few signs that happen only in women. 
3 of 14 / Causes & Risks
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- What Are Your Chances of Getting HIV?- HIV can affect anyone, no matter your age, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. But certain things make your risk go up. 
- Needle Stick Injury: What to Do- About 1 out of 300 health care workers accidentally stuck with a needle from someone with HIV get infected. 
- HIV: What to Know About Needle Sharing- Needle sharing is the second biggest risk for HIV. About 1 in 10 new HIV infections happen in people who inject drugs. 
- Can You Spread HIV With an Undetectable Viral Load?- When you have HIV, your viral load is the amount of virus in your blood and body fluids. 
4 of 14 / Screening & Testing
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- HIV Screening: What to Know- Research shows that routine HIV screening can help curb the virus from spreading. 
- First Steps if You Think You've Been Exposed to HIV- Exposure doesn’t automatically mean infection. But you should act quickly to lower your chances of getting HIV. 
- HIV Testing- HIV testing, also called HIV screening, is the only way to know if you have the virus. 
- HIV: How to Get a Free Test- HIV tests are now easy to get and affordable. But if money is tight, a free HIV test is the way to go. 
5 of 14 / Diagnosis
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- What to Do After Being Diagnosed as HIV-Positive- If you've just found out that you're HIV-positive, you may feel overwhelmed, fearful, and alone. But you’re far from alone. 
- Newly Diagnosed: What You Need to Know About HIV- Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about a new HIV diagnosis. 
- Next Steps After an HIV-Positive Diagnosis- Finding out you have HIV can jolt your world. Fortunately, it can be a manageable long-term condition. 
- Questions to Ask Your Doctor About HIV/AIDS- A diagnosis of HIV or AIDS can be overwhelming. You might forget to ask your doctor about things that have come up. 
6 of 14 / Treatment
View All- How to Treat HIV- There's no cure for HIV, but treatment options are much better than they were a few decades ago. 
- HIV Treatment Team- Many different medical professionals provide care, comfort, and treatment for people with HIV. 
- What to Know About the CD4:CD8 Ratio Test- The CD4:CD8 ratio test judges the strength of your immune system and if you're at risk for opportunistic infections. 
- What Does an HIV Treatment Plan Look Like?- With an HIV diagnosis, you’ll want to start treatment right away. Early treatment gives you the chance to stay healthy. 
7 of 14 / How HIV Affects the Body
View All- Effects of HIV on the Body- As HIV weakens your natural defenses, you might notice signs all over your body. 
- HIV and Heart Disease: What's the Link?- You’re more likely to have heart disease if you have the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS. 
- HIV and High Cholesterol- If you have HIV, your risk of high cholesterol goes up. We need more research to understand the link between the two. 
- HIV and High Blood Pressure- Without HIV, there’s about a 30% risk you’ll get hypertension sometime in life. If you’re HIV-positive, that goes up to 35%. 
8 of 14 / Opportunistic Infections
View All- What Opportunistic Infections Do You Get With HIV?- Untreated HIV, over the course of years, will harm your immune system and can lead to opportunistic infections. 
- Chronic HIV Infection: What to Know- The illness known as HIV/AIDS happens in three stages: acute HIV infection, chronic HIV infection, and AIDS. 
- Pneumocystis Pneumonia (PCP)- Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a serious infection that causes inflammation and fluid buildup in your lungs. 
- Tuberculosis in People With HIV- Someone infected with both HIV and tuberculosis is at least 10 times more likely to develop active tuberculosis. 
9 of 14 / Complications
View All- Dangerous Complications of HIV and AIDS- If you live with an advanced case of HIV, you can be an easy target for different infections and diseases. 
- Kaposi’s Sarcoma (KS)- Kaposi’s sarcoma is a cancer in which tumors grow below the surface of your skin and in your mouth, nose, eyes, and anus. 
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) and HIV- NHL can happen more quickly when you have a weakened immune system, so people with HIV are more likely to get it. 
- What is Lymphocytopenia?- Lymphocytopenia is a condition in which your blood does not have a sufficient amount of white blood cells. 
10 of 14 / Living With
View All- HIV and Lifestyle Changes- You can live a normal life with HIV. With your doctor’s help and advice, you can take steps to stay as healthy as possible. 
- Nutrition and HIV/AIDS- Tuning up your diet can improve your health and help you feel better. Here are a few tips to start. 
- Garlic and HIV: What You Should Know- If you take a certain drug for HIV, there's a chance that garlic supplements could stop it from working well. 
- HIV: What to Know About Taking Vitamins and Supplements- There’s evidence that some supplements may be beneficial for people with HIV. But some may be especially risky. 
11 of 14 / Dating & Relationships
View All- Safe Sex When You’re HIV-Positive- If you are HIV-positive, you can still have sex. In some cases, you can even have unprotected sex without putting your partner at risk. 
- How to Protect Your Partner When You Have HIV- Learning that you have HIV doesn’t have to bring your sex life to a stop. 
- Tips for Dating When You're HIV-Positive- You can still have relationships and a sex life when you're HIV-positive. You just need to be a little more careful. 
- HIV in Men Who Have Sex With Men: What to Know- If you are a man who has sex with men, you might be at greater risk forgetting HIV, the virus causes AIDS. 
12 of 14 / Support & Resources
View All- HIV-Positive: Know Your Rights and Find Support- Many groups can help connect you to medical, financial, and emotional support if you have HIV. 
- What to Do About Discrimination Because of HIV- All too often, people with HIV become targets of judgment, when what they need is support and compassion. 
- Federal Disability Insurance When You Have AIDS- What do you do when you can't hold a job because of AIDS? Disability insurance pays you regularly when you can't work. 
- HIV Disclosure: What Does the Law Say?- Your HIV status is personal medical information. There are laws that protect the privacy of your health information. 
13 of 14 / Prevention
View All- How Can You Prevent an HIV Infection?- Condoms are the best way to prevent HIV because the virus can't pass through the barrier. You must use them correctly. 
- Dental Dam- A dental dam is a square, stretchy sheet made from latex or polyurethane. It blocks the body fluids that can spread STDs. 
- HIV: What Is Treatment as Prevention?- HIV treatment as prevention means a person living with HIV takes meds to prevent passing the virus to someone without it. 
- FAQ: Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV- PrEP means pre-exposure prophylaxis. It's a pill or injection you take when you don't have HIV but are likely to get it. 
14 of 14 / Appointment Prep
View AllSuggested Reads about HIV & AIDS
- HIV: It’s Different for Women- How does having HIV affect women differently than men? Learn about specific health risks, effects on your period, pregnancy, birth control, and more. 
- HIV and Your Sexual Health- Your sex life doesn’t need to stop because you have HIV. Here’s how to enjoy yourself, stay safe, and also protect your partners. 
- How to Nail Your Nutrition With HIV- Is your diet HIV-friendly? Learn how proper nutrition can help you manage your disease. 
- How to Get PrEP: Cheap, Easy, Safe Ways- If you’re at risk of HIV, PrEP can keep you safe. Here’s where to find it and how to afford it. 
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