HIV/AIDS

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. It is passed through blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. You risk getting the virus if you:

Babies born to HIV-infected women risk getting the virus before or during birth or through breast-feeding after birth. Currently there are medications that an HIV-infected pregnant woman can take to lower the chance of passing HIV to her infant before, during or after birth. Getting tested for HIV, and early entry into prenatal care can significantly reduce the risk of passing the virus to your baby.

HIV may also be passed through transfusions of infected blood, however it is very rare in countries where blood is screened for HIV antibodies. Hospital blood supplies have been tested and protected from HIV since 1985. Blood donation centers use clean needles once and then carefully dispose them.

Contact with saliva, tears, or sweat has never been shown to result in transmission of HIV. Casual contact through closed-mouth or "social" kissing is not a risk for spreading HIV. However, because of the possible contact with blood during "French" kissing, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) recommends against it with an infected person.

Be aware that you or your partner may have HIV and not know it. It can be months or years before an infected person will feel sick or have any serious signs of the virus. However, you can still pass it to others.

Family Planning is currently offering free HIV tests. Contact us at (509)662-2013 for more information and to set up an appointment.

Note: About one quarter of HIV-infected persons in the United States are also infected with hepatitus C virus (HCV). HCV is one of the primary causes of chronic liver disease in the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I get HIV from getting a tattoo or body piercing?
You are at risk of HIV if instruments contaminated with blood are either not sterilized or disinfected, or are used inappropriately between clients.

Can I get HIV from mosquitoes?
There is no evidence of HIV transmission from mosquitoes or any other insects.

Can I get HIV while playing sports?
There is no risk of transmission during sports activities where bleeding does not occur. If someone is bleeding, they should not participate until the the wound stops bleeding, and is antiseptically cleaned and securely bandaged.

Are health care workers and patients at risk for HIV?
It is possible but rare. Health care workers are trained to practice infection control procedures and universal precautions which includes using protective barriers such as gloves, masks, aprons, gowns and protective eyewear.

Links
The CDC Info numbers below are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in English and Spanish: