 |
|
Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is the
virus that causes AIDS. By damaging your immune system, HIV
interferes with your body's ability to fight off viruses,
bacteria and fungi that cause disease. A damaged immune
system leaves your body at risk for illnesses, infections,
and certain cancers. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or
AIDS, is a condition that describes an advanced state of HIV
infection.
HIV transmission can occur with unprotected sex, needle sharing, or from an infected mother to a child during pregnancy or birth. You can't become infected through ordinary contact — hugging, kissing, dancing or shaking hands — with someone who has HIV or AIDS. Symptoms of HIV vary widely. A person may have HIV symptoms or AIDS symptoms without knowing it until they get HIV testing. There are several drugs available that can substantially reduce HIV-related complications and deaths. However, there is no cure for HIV/AIDS. How HIV/AIDS impacts Connecticut. The Department of Public Health is responsible for collecting statistics on who becomes infected with HIV in Connecticut. Statistical information is available at their site by clicking here. |
Prevention of HIV is critical. If you think
you may have been exposed to the virus, call 2-1-1 to find a
testing site near you or visit
www.hivtest.org and enter
your zip code. You can also send a text message to
Knowit or
566948 for your local
testing site. |