HIV and AIDS are life threatening conditions. There is no cure yet for HIV/AIDS. The transmission of HIV occurs through three well documented means: 1) having sex (anal, vaginal, or oral) with someone infected with HIV; 2) sharing needles and syringes with someone infected with HIV; and 3) being exposed (fetus or infant) to HIV before or during birth or through breast feeding. HIV transmission can be prevented through avoiding behaviors that expose someone to the means of transmission and by taking preventive measures if identified risk behaviors occur.

To protect yourself, do not inject illicit drugs and remember these ABCs:

A=Abstinence

B=Be Faithful

C=Condoms

HIV is not transmitted through day-to-day activities such as shaking hands, hugging, or a casual kiss. You cannot become infected from a toilet seat, drinking fountain, doorknob, dishes, drinking glasses, food, or pets. You also cannot get HIV from mosquitoes.

They must practice safer behaviors and inform sex and/or needle sharing partners about their status.

A positive test result does not mean:

You have AIDS.

You will necessarily get AIDS.

You are immune to AIDS, even though you have antibodies.

What is safer sex?

Answer: Any sexual practice that does not let someone else's semen, blood, or vaginal fluids get into someone else's body. Safer sex often involves use of latex condoms, latex dental dams, plastic wrap, latex gloves and finger cots as barriers between the infectious fluids and mucous membranes or open cuts. Other ways to practice safer sex might include mutual masturbation, massage, body rubbing, and limiting sexual partners.

Living with AIDS may be a scary thing but there are some ways that you can do to help you and your family:

If you found out that you have HIV, it is important that you learn more information about HIV. It is recommended that you read books and magazines that tell about past and present information about HIV and AIDS.

You may also research information on the internet or you might also join support groups for HIV/AIDS. This is great way for physical and emotional support that you and your family needs.
And if you are positive with HIV or AIDS, never smoke as smoking can cause heart problems or lung cancer.
People with HIV/AIDS should avoid alcohol and illegal drugs as this is bad for your health and might cause you to do things overboard like unprotected sex.
It is better if you can abstain from sex but if not, never forget to have PROTECTED sex.
Make sure that you are preparing your food properly to avoid any food borne disease.
A healthy lifestyle which includes balanced diet and regular exercise is also required as this will help your body�s immune system to be strong.
And lastly, manage stress as stress can also cause your body system to get weak.

Living with AIDS can be a frightening but there are many possible ways that you and your family can do together to help you cope and live with the disease.

Be informed

If you are HIV positive, it will be very significant for you to research and learn more about HIV and AIDS. You may want to read all the past and present information that are available in the internet and medical health books. This will help you know how to take care of yourself to avoid any complications.

Join support groups

Support groups are available from the internet. These support groups can help you cope with the emotional dilemmas that you and your family encounters because of HIV or AIDS.

Do NOT Smoke

By all means, you have to stop smoking because smoking can further weaken your immune system and it can cause lung cancer or heart problems.

Avoid alcohol and avoid illegal drugs

Alcohol and illegal drugs is not good for the health especially for a HIV and AIDS positive individual.

Refrain taking alcohol and illegal drugs too, to avoid the disease because too much alcohol and use of illegal drugs can make your action overboard like doing unprotected sex.

Clean foods

Make sure you prepare your foods safely and properly to avoid getting food borne diseases.

Eat a balanced diet and exercise

Regular exercise and balance diet can help you to strengthen your immune system.

Manage stress

Stress cannot really be terminated in any individual but it is recommended that you manage it properly because too much stress can weaken your body�s ability to fight of diseases.

Abstain from Sex

Abstaining from sex is the only way to avoid the spread of HIV but if you cannot do that, you have to make sure that you and your partner are just sharing protected safe sex.