HIV / AIDS

 A& Q 

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 National Clearinghouse for Alcohol 

and Drug Information 

800-729-6686

TDD 800-487-4889

linea gratis en español 

877-767-8432

from HIV/AIDS get you Q.	 Can

an with contact casual

their or person infected

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.

does HIV, have already you Q.	 If

or drink you if matter really it

drugs? use

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.

HIV/ get to likely most is Q.	 Who

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.

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 800-342-2437 for more 

information.

Do it today—it’s your life.
For more information or for references to facts found in this Tips for Teens, 

go to www.ncadi.samhsa.gov.

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. According to the Centers 

for Disease Control and Prevention, injection drug use 

has been the cause of at least 6 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.

• 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.

The Truth About HIV / AIDS 

Revised in 2006