HIV/AIDS

Normally when infections get inside us, our own immune system knows about it. There are a lot of different "cells" spread around inside us that have different roles to play in fighting infection. They move around the body where ever they are needed. The two main types are red blood cells and white blood cells.  The white blood cells are split into two main camps

• "B cells" identify foreign organisms and signal other cells to attack it.
• "T cells" are split into types:
  • "CD4" cells organise the immune system's response to infection.
  • "CD8" cells attack and destroy infected cells.

HIV is different from other viruses in that it attacks the CD4 cells and makes them produce more HIV virus.

• Breast milk
• Blood
• Semen
• Vaginal fluids.

The most common ways that HIV gets inside our bodies include:

• Penetrative sex (without a condom)
• Drug equipment (if it's already been used by an infected person)
• Getting blood infected with HIV inside us, such as sharing razors, or tatooing or body/ear piercing equipment.
• A woman to her baby during birth, or breast feeding.

If someone with HIV does become ill with one or more of a number of particular illnesses, they may be diagnosed medically as having "Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome" (AIDS).

AIDS itself is not a virus or a single illness. It is a term used to describe certain illnesses connected with HIV.

There may be a specialist agency offering information, emotional support and practical help in your area.  In Leicestershire, this agency is http://www.lass.org.uk

National AIDS  help line (24 hours) Call: 0800 567 123

Ethnic Language Call: 0800 917 2227