HIV is found in the blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk of infected persons and can be transmitted in the following ways:

• Having sex, including oral, with an HIV infected person (male or female)

• Sharing needles or injection equipment with an HIV infected person

• From an HIV infected woman to her baby during pregnancy or during birth; an infected mother can also pass HIV to her baby while breastfeeding

To avoid infection through sex, the only sure way is not have sexual intercourse or have sex only with someone who is not infected and who has sex with only you. Using latex condoms correctly every time you have sex, greatly lowers your risk of infection. Avoid the use of drugs. Never share needles. Blood from an HIV infected person remains in the needle, and can be directly injected into the bloodstream of the next person who uses it.

There is no cure for AIDS; once you have HIV you are infected for life. The HIV virus slowly weakens your immune system and decreases your body's ability to fight infections. There are medications prescribed by a doctor that can help your body fight the virus.