Facts about HIV/AIDS

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV attacks the immune system, and can progress to AIDS or Stage 3 HIV if untreated. At this stage, the immune system cannot function and can lead to death from opportunistic infections, what are known as AIDS-related illnesses.

You can only get HIV by coming into direct contact with certain body fluids from a person living with HIV who has a detectable viral load. These fluids are:

• Blood
• Semen (cum) and pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum)
• Rectal fluids
• Vaginal fluids
• Breast milk

For transmission to occur, the HIV in these fluids must get into the bloodstream of an HIV-negative person through a mucous membrane (found in the rectum, vagina, mouth, or tip of the penis), through open cuts or sores, or by direct injection (from a needle or syringe). (HIV.gov)

Today, HIV can be treated like any chronic disease with effective medications, and people living with HIV can live long and healthy lives with treatment. The only way to know your HIV status is to get tested. While overall rates of HIV diagnosis in Illinois and Chicago have declined significantly in recent decades, they have not declined equitably. Black and Latine men who have sex with men, Black women, transgender women, people involved with the criminal justice system, people experiencing homelessness, and people who use drugs are disproportionately impacted by HIV. At AIDS Foundation Chicago, we refer to these groups of people as priority populations, and work to ensure treatment and prevention are accessible to all, so that the disparities in new HIV diagnoses can be addressed.

HIV prevention medication includes PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) and is highly effective. PrEP can be taken daily by pill, or through long-acting injections. If you have questions about PrEP, PEP, HIV testing, or HIV health care, we can help. Call the HIV HUB at (NUMBER) to speak with a trained navigator who can get you the information and services you need.

At AFC, we believe housing is healthcare. In order for people living with HIV to achieve the stability needed to maintain their health, they must have housing. This is true for all people and all chronic conditions. For this reason, AFC includes in our mission people living with HIV, chronic conditions, and homelessness, and provides housing to thousands of Chicagoans living with HIV. AFC has a subsidiary nonprofit, the Center for Housing and Health, dedicated to improving health outcomes through housing regardless of HIV status. As a subsidiary of AFC, the Center for Housing and Health exists to support a core function of AFC’s mission, ending homelessness, and is a separate 501 (c) 3 organization that shares some core operations with AFC. If you need housing, contact [number].

Learn more about HIV at cdc.gov/hiv.