The bottom line: The bottom line: If The bottom line: you know someone who is risking exposure to HIV/AIDS,

urge him or her to stop. If your behavior places you at risk of an HIV/AIDS

infection—STOP! If you have already placed yourself at risk, get tested and

follow your doctor's instructions. The longer you ignore the real facts, the

more chances you take with your life. Talk to your parents, a doctor, a

counselor, a teacher, or another adult you trust. You also can call the CDC

National AIDS Hotline at 800-342-2437 for more information.

Do it today—it's your life.

Q.Can you get HIV/AIDS from

casual contact with an infected

person or their stuff?

A. No. HIV/AIDS is not spread

through sweat, tears, or saliva.

The body fluids that have been

shown to contain high concentrations of HIV include blood, semen,

vaginal fluid, breast milk, and

other body fluids containing blood.

Q.If you already have HIV, does it

really matter if you drink or use

drugs?

A. Yes. Not using tobacco, alcohol, or

drugs improves your chances of

staying healthy longer. Use of any

of these substances can cause

other health problems, interfere

with your treatment medications,

or both.

Q. Who is most likely to get HIV/

AIDS?

A. Anyone who has unprotected sex,

shares a needle, or exchanges

blood with an infected person is at

risk. HIV is a virus. AIDS is a

disease. Viruses do not care about

age, race, gender, or sexual

orientation.

HIV/AIDS•••••

To learn more about HIV/AIDS or

obtain referrals to programs in your

community, contact one of the following toll-free numbers:

SAMHSA’s National Clearinghouse

for Alcohol and Drug Information

800-729-6686

TDD 800-487-4889

linea gratis en español

877-767-8432

Curious about the TV ads of the National Youth

Anti-Drug Media Campaign? Check out the Web site at

www.freevibe.com or visit the Office of National Drug

Control Policy Web site at www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov.
• Use a latex condom every time you have sexual

intercourse of any kind.

Know the risks. The majority of young people who

have HIV are infected sexually. As more teens have

become aware of the risk, fewer are having sex and

more teens who are sexually active are using condoms.4

The second most common source of HIV is intravenous

drug use, but any activity where blood exchange is

possible is risky. Teens should not share needles for any

activity, including steroid drug injection, tattooing, or

body piercing.5

Stay informed. While most people who have the

disease now live much longer due to medical research

and new drugs, there is no cure.

Know the Signs...

How can you tell if you or someone else may already

have HIV? If you have not had unprotected sex or

shared a needle, it is very unlikely that you have HIV.

The only way to know if you are infected is to be tested.

The following may be warning signs of HIV infection:

• Weight loss

• Frequent fevers and sweats

• Lack of energy

• Swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck

• Persistent skin rashes

• Severe herpes infections that cause mouth, genital,

or anal sores

• Short-term memory loss

No one should assume they are infected if they have

these symptoms. Any of these symptoms can be related

to other illnesses. Again, the only way to find out if you

are infected with HIV is to be tested.

What can you do to help someone whose drug or

alcohol use is putting them at risk for HIV/AIDS?

Be a real friend. You might even save a life. Encourage

your friend to stop using substances or seek professional

help. For information and referrals, call the National

Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at

800-729-6686.

HIV/AIDS••••••

Get the Facts...

AIDS—Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome—is

caused by HIV, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

HIV weakens your body's immune system, making it less

able to fight against diseases and infections. HIV passes

from one person to another through contact with the

bodily fluids of someone infected with the virus. Most

often, the virus spreads through oral, vaginal, or anal

sex during which a condom is not used, or by sharing a

needle. Mothers can pass the virus on to their babies

during pregnancy or birth or by breast-feeding.

It's not a “gay thing.” Many persons who become

infected are heterosexual. In a recent study by the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more

females than males ages 13-19 tested positive for HIV.1

The most common source of infection for females of all

ages is heterosexual sex.2

Using alcohol and drugs increases your risk. Alcohol

and drugs affect your judgment and lower your inhibitions. As a result, drinking or taking drugs can lead you

to take risks you are less likely to take when sober, such

as having unprotected sex.

Injected drug use was the cause of at least 11 percent of

infections for young people ages 13-24.3

 Any drug use,

however, contributes to the spread of HIV/AIDS when

users trade sex for drugs or when they engage in risky

behaviors while under the influence of drugs.

Before You Risk It...

Get the facts. Not having sexual intercourse is the

most effective way to avoid STDs, including HIV/AIDS.

For teens who choose to be sexually active, these prevention measures lower your risk of an HIV infection.

• Avoid alcohol and drugs. Their use can cause you to

make sexual choices you wouldn't make sober.

• Only engage in sexual activity that does not involve

vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

• Have intercourse with only one uninfected partner.

Revised in 2004

For more information go to www.ncadi.samhsa.gov