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Leaflet_Condom_pin_eng_2.indd 1 18/06/2007 9:38:48

EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL

HIV AND AIDS: The FACTS

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). People can live with the HIV virus for many years before it develops into AIDS.

Some 40 million people worldwide are living with HIV, two thirds of them in Sub-Saharan Africa. Over 25 million have already died from AIDS.

HIV is spread via the transmission of four types of bodily fluids from a HIV-positive person: blood, semen, vaginal fluid and breast milk. HIV can be contracted through unprotected sexual intercourse, the shared use of unsterilised needles and via mother-to-child transmission.

HIV is not transmitted through saliva or sweat. Therefore HIV generally can not be contracted by for example sharing a glass, by kissing, being sneezed upon or by shaking hands with an infected person.

There is still no vaccine to prevent HIV infection and no cure for AIDS but the lives of those living with HIV and AIDS can be considerably prolonged and improved by taking antiretroviral drugs, also known as ARVs.

You can protect yourself from infection by abstaining from sexual intercourse or by being faithful to one partner and by ALWAYS using a condom.

Remember, condoms save lives!

Leaflet_Condom_pin_eng_2.indd 2 18/06/2007 9:38:49