HIV/AIDS
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is a virus that causes a weakening of the infected person’s immune system.
AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection, and not everyone who has HIV advances to this stage. People at this stage of HIV disease have badly damaged immune systems, which put them at risk for opportunistic infections (OIs).
Approximately 1.1 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV today. About 15% of them (1 in 7) are unaware they are infected. In the U.S., HIV is spread mainly by having sex with someone who has HIV, sharing needles and syringes with an infected person (direct blood to blood contact) and from an infected mother to her baby. It is not spread by coughs, sneezes, hugs, kisses, mosquitos, sharing cups or utensils or any other casual contact.
Information for the General Public
- Fact Sheet
- HIV/AIDS Basics
- Disease Prevention
- Disease Treatment & Services
- Disease Testing
- Utah HIV Screening Guidelines
Information for Public Health Departments
- Disease Plan
- Case Report Form
- HIV Disease Reports/Surveillance
- CDC STD Treatment Guidelines
- Bloodborne pathogen exposure guidance
Resources
- HIV Prevention Program Manual
- NCSD HIV and STD Prevention in Prisons and Jails (Featuring Utah Case Study)
- AIDS.gov
- American Sexual Health Association
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
- Mayo Clinic
- MedLine Plus
- National Institutes of Health
- Planned Parenthood