AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, an infection caused by HIV.
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus, which causes AIDS. HIV damages the body's defence system so that it
cannot ward off certain infections. HIV/AIDS is the most talked about STI, and this is so because although great
improvements have been made in treatment, there is still no cure. But keep in mind that there are several other STI's,
much more common than AIDS that we need to be aware of.
Apart from the complications inherent to these infections, it is now clear that a person with a "common" STI has a
much greater risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS. Equally an HIV positive person who also has another STI is much more likely to
pass on his HIV. Most people with HIV look and feel healthy for a long time (sometime 10 years or more).
They may not even know they have the virus, but they still pass it on to others through semen, blood and vaginal fluids.
If someone with HIV goes on to develop certain serious illness, the condition is then called AIDS. These illness can
affect any part of the body.
There are three main ways how HIV can be passed on:
1. Having vaginal or anal sex without a condom with someone who is HIV positive.
2. By using needles, syringes or other drug-injecting equipment that is infected with HIV. NEVER SHARE.
3. From a woman who is HIV positive to her baby during pregnancy, at birth or through breast-feeding.
REMEMBER
You cannot get HIV from kissing, touching, sharing cups, plates forks and knives, sneezing, toilet seats,
insect or animal bites, or swimming pools.
GU (Genitourinary) Clinic
Boffa Hospital
Floriana
For an appointment please phone 21227981. You might find an answering machine. Please be patient;
either leave a contact number or else try later.
In this clinic confidentiality is guaranteed. Samples taken during examination are only marked by a code
number; your name is not used.
Nobody will be told of your visit without your express permission.