FAQs

What is HIV/AIDS?

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If untreated HIV can cause Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). People with AIDS have damaged immune system, which can increase the number of other serious illnesses a person can get. While HIV cannot be cured, treatment can both prevent transmission to others and helps a person living with HIV live a long, healthy life.

How does HIV spread?

A person living with HIV can transmit HIV via exposure to fluids that contain the virus. The six bodily fluids that can transmit HIV are pre-cum (or pre-ejaculate), cum (seminal fluid), blood, vaginal fluids, anal (rectal) fluids, and breast milk (from parent to child). People can be exposed to these fluids during sex, direct contact with HIV-infected blood through shared injection equipment, or during pregnancy, birth, or breast/chest feeding. It is extremely unlikely for HIV infection to happen simply through brief contact between infectious bodily fluids and intact skin. HIV cannot be transmitted through saliva, sweat, or tears or toilet seats.

How do you test for HIV?

The only way to know if you are living with HIV is to get tested. Some people get flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, sore muscles and joints, stomachache, swollen lymph glands, or a skin rash four to six weeks after exposure to the virus. Most people have no symptoms at all. In Alameda County, testing can be done by a medical provider or through various HIV testing programs. Home test kits are now available, through Take Me Home. To learn more about the HIV testing go here.

How do I prevent HIV?

There are a number of ways to prevent HIV. Condoms used correctly every time you have anal or vaginal sex. If you are someone living with HIV, then being on treatment can prevent transmission. Getting tested regularly and treated for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is medication that can be taken before potential exposure to HIV. Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is medication that can be taken after potential exposure to HIV. Doxy PEP or Doxycycline (Doxy) for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can prevent bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Not sharing needles, with others. New needles can be purchased at pharmacies or accessed through syringe service programs.

How is HIV/AIDS treated?

There is no cure for HIV, but treatment can help prevent transmission and help people living with HIV live long, healthy lives. Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) can slow down the virus and slow down the damage to a person’s immune system. ART treatment reduces the amount of virus in the blood (viral load). If a person’s viral load is undetectable via a viral load test, they cannot transmit HIV to others via sex. An undetectable viral reduces the risk of HIV transmission through sharing injection equipment, during pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

To find a medical provider go to our HIV, STD, and HCV Prevention Service Providers.

To learn more about viral suppression, please visit: Viral Suppression and an Undetectable Viral Load | HIV.gov