HIV: 10 things to know!
1
HIV in Scotland
HIV has not gone away. Last year in Scotland saw the highest ever number of people newly diagnosed with HIV – more
than one person was diagnosed every day of the year. All of us in Scotland need to know the facts and take good
care of our health.
2
What is HIV and AIDS?
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) attacks the body’s immune system making it less able to fight infections and more
vulnerable to illnesses. The term ‘AIDS’ describes specific infections and illnesses that can result from the damage HIV
does to the body’s immune system.
3
How is HIV passed on?
HIV is passed on most commonly through unprotected sex – sex without a condom. HIV can be passed from a
pregnant mother to her child – but this can usually be prevented if the mother takes anti-HIV drugs during pregnancy
and while breast-feeding. HIV can also be passed on by people sharing injecting needles.
4
Stay safe
Condoms can effectively prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections from being passed on. Clean needles
and syringes are available if you inject drugs – never share needles or other injecting equipment.
5
You and your partner
Talk to your partner about HIV, safer sex and intimacy. Always use a condom if you do not know your sexual
partner’s HIV status, or if you have sex with lots of different partners.
6
HIV testing
The only way to know if you have HIV or not is to take a test. You can have a free and confidential HIV test at your
doctor or local sexual health clinic. If you think you might have been at risk, or if you tested HIV negative a long time
ago, go for a test! Knowing whether or not you have HIV allows you to make important decisions about your health
and that of others. The sooner you know the better so that you can get medical help, and to give treatments the
best chance of working well.
7
About HIV treatment
There is very effective treatment for HIV and AIDS – but there is still no cure. The body is not able to get rid of
HIV, so once someone has HIV, it is in the body for life and a person will need to take treatment every day. The anti-
HIV treatments, called anti-retroviral drugs, come in different combinations. When people living with HIV take the drugs
regularly, they are usually able to live healthier lives for longer. Because treatments are so effective and available, unlike
the early days of HIV in the 1980s and 1990s, very few people now die from HIV/AIDS in Scotland.
8
Getting HIV treatment and support
The good news is treatments are much easier to take than they used to be! They are available across Scotland and
treatment is usually free. There is also lots of information and support available for people living with HIV. For more
information email
info@HIVscotland.com or call 0131 558 3713.
9
HIV and human rights
Anyone living with HIV is entitled to be treated equally, with respect and dignity. There are laws to protect
individuals living with HIV, and many people are working hard to make sure our workplaces and public services are free
from discrimination.
10
Talk about HIV
We need to talk about HIV to our sexual partners, our friends, our sons and daughters, our grandsons and
granddaughters, our friends and colleagues. HIV and sex talk can be healthy talk.
Collated by HIV Scotland. For more information email
info@HIVscotland.com.
www.hivscotland.com
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