HIV
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that can destroy the white blood cells which fight infection. Eventually this can leave the person unable to cope with even the slightest infection. When HIV has reduced a person's ability to fight infection beyond a certain point they are diagnosed as having AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome).

Usually there is a long period between getting infected and becoming ill and being diagnosed as having AIDS. Before people start to get ill, the only way that anyone can tell that they have HIV is by doing blood tests.

HIV is still here and could still become an epidemic: needle and syringe programs, and people reducing sharing, has kept the number of HIV-positive people fairly low, but there are people with HIV in every area so if people share, it could spread rapidly.

If you think you might have been exposed to the virus the only way to know if you are infected is to have an HIV test.

For advice and support you can talk to your:

• Drug worker
• Local user group or union
• Local AIDS council
• Sexual health service
• GP
• Pharmacist

who should all have access to the latest information.

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