HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). HIV is spread from person to person through these body fluids:

• blood
• cum (semen)
• pussy (vaginal) juices
• breast milk

HIV is often spread through unprotected sex and sharing needles and other drug use equipment. The virus attacks your immune system, which is your body’s tool for fighting disease. When HIV weakens your immune system, it’s easy to get serious infections, some of which can kill you. Having HIV does not mean you have AIDS. If you are HIV+ and you’ve had HIV-related illnesses and your immune system is very weak, then your doctor will diagnose you as having AIDS.

When you first get HIV, you might feel very sick for a few weeks, like you have the worst flu of your life. You may become tired or have no appetite, or get a fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes (the glands on either side of your neck), headache or skin rash. This is known as “seroconversion illness,” and it means that your immune system is mounting a battle against the infection.

Keep in mind that the above symptoms are not unique to HIV. The same symptoms could be the flu or cotton fever (“the bends”). And some people don’t have any symptoms at all when they first get HIV. So the only way to know if you are HIV+ is to get tested.

After you become HIV+, you may feel healthy for many years. But as the virus weakens your immune system, you may develop symptoms. They can include swollen lymph nodes, night sweats, fever, diarrhea, weight loss and constant tiredness. You may develop illnesses like thrush (a fungal infection that creates a white coating in your mouth), a vaginal yeast infection that keeps coming back, or a more serious infection like pneumonia.