HIV and AIDS are two different things.
HIV is a virus.
A virus is hidden in your body and can make you ill.
AIDS is a disease which can be triggered by this virus.
If you have HIV in your body for a long time, you can get AIDS.
AIDS can kill you if it is not treated.
There are good medications which fight HIV.
These medications reduce the amount of HIV in your body.
So you cannot infect anybody with HIV.
And you do not get AIDS.
You can live for a long time with these medications.
In Germany you do not have to pay for these medications yourself.
Your health insurance will pay for HIV medications.
People with HIV can decide who they want to tell.
The law prohibits people from outing others.
Be careful and abide by the following:
- Do not have sex with any other person without a condom (vaginal or anal sex).
- Do not inject drugs. Using syringes and needles is dangerous. Do not pass on syringes or needles to others.
- If you are bleeding or have an open wound, make sure that no foreign blood enters the wound.
Text: AWO-Zentrum für Aidsarbeit Schwaben
www.zas-schwaben.de