aidsmap.com :: HIV basics - HIV & AIDS: "HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus.
This particular virus was discovered in the mid 1980s and belongs to a group of viruses called ‘retroviruses’.
HIV attacks the immune system, and gradually causes damage. This can mean that a person infected with HIV is at risk of developing some serious infections and cancers that a healthy immune system can fight off. When a person develops certain illnesses and cancers, they are said to have developed AIDS.
A test can tell if you have HIV. If you do, this is described as being HIV-positive.
There is no cure for HIV. However, there are more than 20 anti-HIV drugs, and treatment with a combination of these drugs can mean a longer and healthy life.
HIV is present in blood, genital fluids and breast milk.
The main ways HIV can be passed on to someone else are during unprotected sex, by sharing injecting equipment, and from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, birth or through breastfeeding. But there are ways of preventing HIV infection in all of these situations."
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