AIDS Education Guide What is AIDS? AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is a disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). If this virus gets into your blood, there is a good chance you will get AIDS. You might not get sick for months or years, but you can still pass the virus on to others. Early treatment can help you stay healthy longer. Anyone can get AIDS. The AIDS virus doesn't care what race you are or if you're a man or a woman, young or old. You can still get AIDS. What is the difference between AIDS and HIV? HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. Once infected, it may take anywhere from a few weeks to 15 years for AIDS symptoms to appear. After symptoms appear, the person usually progresses to having AIDS. To our knowledge, people who test positive for HIV will eventually develop AIDS. What are the symptoms of AIDS? Typical symptoms include fatigue, fever, chills, night sweats, swollen glands in the neck, armpits and groin, pink to purple spots on the skin, white spots and sores in the mouth, diarrhea without reason, weight loss of 10 pounds or more without reason, a dry heavy cough, and shortness of breath. What behaviors increase my chances of getting AIDS? You can get the AIDS virus by having sex with someone who has the AIDS virus. You can get AIDS by sharing needles to shoot drugs. A pregnant woman who is HIV positive can pass the infection to her unborn baby. Anyone who had a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985 may be at risk. How can I protect myself? Abstinence (not having any type of sexual contact) is the safest. If you make a conscious choice to engage in high risk sexual activity, use a condom. Also use foam, cream, or jelly with 5% nonoxynol-9 in the condom. This chemical may kill the AIDS virus. What is the AIDS test? There is a simple blood test to determine whether a person has been infected by HIV. It takes approximately 6 months from the time of exposure to HIV for the antibodies to show up in the blood. If you test positive, it means that you are carrying HIV and can pass it on to others. The AIDS blood test is the only way to know if you are infected. What types of close contact are safe? HIV is NOT spread by touching, kissing, sneezing, coughing, or by sharing silverware, cups or plates with an infected person. You CAN NOT get the virus from swimming pools, bathtubs, showers, toilet seats, drinking fountains or insect bites. It is completely safe to donate blood. Where can I get help? If you think you may have the AIDS virus or have engaged in high risk activity, get a blood test. The test is safe and private. To learn more about AIDS and AIDS testing, call the National AIDS Hotline. The toll free number is 1-800-342-2437 You can't tell if someone has the AIDS virus. You need to know how to be safe! His Way Out Ministries Services Consultations Family Support Group Individual Prayer Ministry "Time Out" Discipleship Series Ministry Support Network Speakers available to address Christian groups "Moving On" Advanced/Closed Support Groups "It's About Life" Ministry to Those Impacted by AIDS Send a Donation to His Way Out In your own church, and throughout this entire world, people are in need of God's clarity about their relationships and their sexuality. Participating in the work of H.W.O.M. is one way to acknowledge Christ's healing power for the sexually broken. Through your financial support or volunteer involvement, you can add your voice to those who are speaking the truth of God with integrity. His Way Out Ministries is a nonprofit, tax exempt Christian ministry associated with Exodus International.