AIDS CALGARY

	HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus that infects people and weakens the immune system.
		Over a period of years, HIV weakens the body’s immune system to the point where it can no longer fight infections. When a person becomes sick, that condition is called AIDS. AIDS is fatal and there is no cure. HIV is a fragile virus that cannot survive outside of the body. The virus must get into the bloodstream in order to infect you. The virus can live in blood, semen, pre-cum, vaginal secretions and breast milk. Saliva, tears, sweat and urine can have the virus in them, but the concentrations are so small that the risk of transmission is very low. However, if any body fluid is mixed with blood, there is a higher risk of transmission. Once HIV takes hold in the body, it starts doing serious damage to the immune system. Often there are no external signs or symptoms. People who appear perfectly healthy may unknowingly transmit the virus to others. Scientists still don't know what percentage of people infected with HIV will develop the disease we know as AIDS. But it is clear that with proper medical treatment, people can protect themselves from deadly AIDS-related infections. Many people infected with HIV live with the virus for many years.