HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. A person with HIV is called HIV positive (HIV+).
HIV makes it hard for your body to fight off sickness. There are cells in your blood called «CD4 cells» or «T cells». These cells help protect your body from disease. HIV kills these cells. A person with HIV does not have as many of these cells as a healthy person.
There is hope.
There are drugs that can treat HIV and help people live longer. These medicines help to keep the virus from building up in your body. These drugs do not stop you from spreading HIV. You can still give the disease to someone else.
People with HIV may need to take 3 or more different medicines every day. You and your doctor will decide which ones are right for you. It is important that you take your HIV medicines every day. Do not stop taking your medicines without talking to your doctor. Over time, you can get very sick if you do not take your medicines.
Use this guide to help you talk to your doctor about the HIV medicines you are taking. This guide provides some basic facts about the HIV medicines that have been approved by the FDA.
There are many things you can do to help improve your health.
Work closely with your doctor to monitor your health.
Take your medicine.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
Quit smoking and using illegal drugs.
Get regular exercise.
Women and HIV
Women from all backgrounds and cultures can get HIV. However, increasing numbers of African American and Latino women have HIV.
Work closely with your doctor to monitor your health.
Take your medicine.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
Quit smoking and using illegal drugs.
Get regular exercise.
Women and HIV
Women from all backgrounds and cultures can get HIV. However, increasing numbers of African American and Latino women have HIV.
Learn the facts about women and HIV. Educate yourself to help you live longer. Educate yourself so that you can teach other women how to prevent HIV and .
Did you know?
Most women get HIV from having unprotected sex with men.
A woman can pass HIV to her baby during pregnancy, labor, or delivery.
A woman can also pass HIV to her baby during breastfeeding.
A pregnant woman can take medicine to lower the chance of giving her baby HIV. Pregnant women should talk to their doctor about the pros and cons of taking medicines for HIV. Some anti-HIV medicines should not be taken during pregnancy because they can cause birth defects.
Babies born to women with HIV may need to take anti- after birth to lower the chance that they will get HIV. Talk to your doctor about the best way to treat your baby.
Women who are HIV positive should get regular pap smears and exams to test them for other health problems.
Women with HIV are more likely to have:
Vaginal yeast infections
Most women get HIV from having unprotected sex with men.
A woman can pass HIV to her baby during pregnancy, labor, or delivery.
A woman can also pass HIV to her baby during breastfeeding.
A pregnant woman can take medicine to lower the chance of giving her baby HIV. Pregnant women should talk to their doctor about the pros and cons of taking medicines for HIV. Some anti-HIV medicines should not be taken during pregnancy because they can cause birth defects.
Babies born to women with HIV may need to take anti- after birth to lower the chance that they will get HIV. Talk to your doctor about the best way to treat your baby.
Women who are HIV positive should get regular pap smears and exams to test them for other health problems.
Women with HIV are more likely to have:
Vaginal yeast infections
Other infections such bacterial vaginosis
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Sexually Transmitted Infections like gonorrhea or HPV
Changes in the cervix that may lead to cervical
Anti-HIV Medicines
The main drug treatment for people with HIV is Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (also called HAART). HAART drugs help to slow the growth of HIV in your body.
Serious Side Effects
Possible chance of infection or
FDA Office of Special Health Issues
FDA HIV/AIDS Info
AIDS info
Department of Health
Changes in the cervix that may lead to cervical
Anti-HIV Medicines
The main drug treatment for people with HIV is Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (also called HAART). HAART drugs help to slow the growth of HIV in your body.
Serious Side Effects
Possible chance of infection or
FDA Office of Special Health Issues
FDA HIV/AIDS Info
AIDS info
Department of Health