HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. This is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV is different from most other viruses because it attacks the immune system. The immune system gives our bodies the ability to fight infections. HIV finds and destroys a type of white blood cell (T cells or CD4 cells) that the immune system must have to fight disease. Read More »

El VIH significa “virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana”. Este es el virus que causa el SIDA. El VIH es diferente a la mayoría de los virus porque ataca el sistema inmunitario. El sistema inmunitario le permite al cuerpo combatir las infecciones. El VIH encuentra y destruye un tipo particular de glóbulos blancos (las células T o CD4) utilizados por el sistema inmunitario para combatir las enfermedades. Read More »

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, which can damage a woman's reproductive organs. You may show no symptoms of the disease or they may be very mild. Read More »

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2). Most genital herpes is caused by HSV-2. Most individuals have no or only minimal signs or symptoms from HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection. When signs do occur, they typically appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. The blisters break, leaving tender ulcers (sores) that may take two to four weeks to heal the first time they occur. Typically, another outbreak can appear weeks or months after the first, but it almost always is less severe and shorter than the first outbreak. Although the infection can stay in the body indefinitely, the number of outbreaks tends to decrease over a period of years. Read More »

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix (opening to the womb), uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes (egg canals) in women, and in the urethra (urine canal) in women and men. The bacterium can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus. Read More »

There are several organizations that can offer treatment and help if you’ve tested positive for HIV or AIDS. There is no cure for HIV and AIDS, which means there is no conclusive treatment to eliminate HIV from the body. If you are told that you are HIV positive, it is important to seek treatment immediately. You need to work with a doctor to get medical treatment and decide what course of action to take in treating HIV. It can be scary and confusing begin told that you are HIV positive, but medications can help you live a normal life and keep you healthy. Some people who are HIV positive only have to take one medication once a day. Read More »

How much do you know about HIV and AIDS? Read More »