KNOW MORE ABOUT HIV
- How is HIV transmitted
- Will I be infected if I came into contact with the blood of people living with HIV?
- People say people living with HIV can be cured by eating certain food (i.e. Chinese tonics)?
- Will people living with HIV hurt others?
- How should I treat people living with HIV?
- What should I prepare for people living with HIV?
- Should daily necessities, such as cutleries and clothes, be washed separately?
HIV exists within the carrier’s bodily fluids, such as semen, blood and vaginal prostate secretory. The virus can be transmitted through contact between bodily fluids and wounds, or mucous tissue (for example, vagina, glans, large intestine, etc)
The virus can also be spread by sharing needles and mother-to-child transmission.
You are not exposed to risk of infection if there is no fresh wound or mucous tissue (for example, vagina, glans and large intestine etc.) where you contacted blood. In addition, if the virus load of the person living with HIV is at an undetectable level, the chance of infection is nearly zero.
HIV infection is a chronic disease and cannot be cured at the moment. However, cocktail therapy has been developed in order to suppress the replication of the virus. If people living with HIV have early treatment, they look just like everyone else. They have no difference to ordinary people in terms of life expectancy, health condition, work/ social ability and appearance.
HIV destroys people’s immune system but does not cause people to hurt others. There are misconceptions in the society and people living with HIV are even treated as scum. People living with HIV are indeed the same as ordinary people. They have their lives, families and dreams. They respect others and deserve respect, too.
People living with HIV want equality but not overprotection and unethical judgement. Your acceptance, care and understanding of AIDS are positive support to them. We provide support to families and friends of infected person, so please feel free to contact us if you need help.
Just show your care and treat them normally like your family and friends. They do not have special material needs.
It is not necessary to wash things separately as the virus count of HIV existing in saliva, sweat, tears and urine are insignificant to cause infection.
Emotional support and consultation
AIDS Concern provides emotional support and consultation to people living with HIV. Please feel free to contact us.
Tel: 2394 6677
Email: enquire@aidsconcern.org.hk