HIV / AIDS

Info

To learn more about HIV/AIDS or obtain referrals 

to programs in your community, contact one of the 

following toll-free numbers:

SAMHSA’s Health Information Network 

1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727)

(English and Spanish)

TTY 1-800-487-4889 

The bottom line: If 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 1-800-232-4636/TTY 

1-888-232-6348 for more information.

Do it today—it’s your life.

 A& Q 

Q. Can you get HIV/AIDS from 

casual contact with an 

infected person or their 

stuff?

No. HIV/AIDS is not spread A. 

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?

Yes. Not using tobacco, alcohol, A. 

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?

Anyone who has unprotected A. 

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.
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The Truth About 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.” Heterosexual sex is the most 

common source of infection for females, and the second 

most common source for males.1

 And while more men 

than women contract HIV, women’s rate of infection is 

increasing.2

Using alcohol and drugs increases your risk for 

HIV infection. Injection drug use is a leading cause of 

transmission; users contract the virus when they share 

needles and syringes with an infected person. In addition, 

alcohol and non-injection can affect your judgment and 

lower your inhibitions leading you to take risks you are 

less likely to take when sober, such as having unprotected 

sex. Any kind of drug use can contribute 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 sexually transmitted diseases 

(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.	They	use	can	cause	you	to	

make sexual choices you wouldn’t make when sober.

Only	engage	in	sexual	activity	that	does	not	involve	

vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Have	intercourse	with	only	one	uninfected	partner.

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.3

 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.4

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:

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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 SAMHSA’s 

Health Information Network at 1-877-SAMHSA-7 

(1-877-726-4727).

For more information or for references to facts found in this Tips for Teens, 

go to www.samhsa.gov/SHIN.

Revised in 2008.