HIV and AIDS

HIV; AIDS; human; immunodeficiency; virus; syndrome; safe sex; oral sex; saliva; needle; injecting; drug; transfusion; acquired; immune; deficiency;

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus which causes damage to the immune system. After several years, HIV infection can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), in which the immune system is no longer able to protect the body from other diseases such as other infections and cancers.

Information about HIV and AIDS

For more detailed information on HIV and AIDS, read the following fact sheet from the South Australian Department of Health web site:

'Human Immunodeficiency Virus' (PDF - 82kb)
(http://www.dh.sa.gov.au/pehs/ygw/hiv-pehs-sahealth-2009.pdf)

The AIDS Council of South Australia (ACSA) has the following very useful information on its web site:

• About HIV/AIDS
  http://www.acsa.org.au/hiv.html
• Frequently asked questions
  http://www.acsa.org.au/faq.html
• Other HIV/AIDS information (links)
  http://www.acsa.org.au/other_info.html

Resources in South Australia

• AIDS Council of South Australia (ACSA)
  The ACSA web site provides lists of resource agencies, plus links to many other South Australian and Australian organisations, agencies and research organisations:
  www.acsa.org.au
• Women's Health Statewide
  The HIV Women's project provides support for HIV positive women:
  www.whs.sa.gov.au/project_hiv.php
• Clinic 275 (Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic)
  Provides free and confidential advice, testing and treatment for all sexually transmitted infections:
  www.stdservices.on.net
• The Second Story Youth Health Service
  http://www.cyh.com/SubContent.aspx?p=223

More information

• Department of Health, South Australia ‑ HIV/AIDS statistics:
  http://www.stdservices.on.net/stats/hiv-aids.htm
• Department of Health, South Australia ‑ HIV Action Plan 2009 – 2012:
  http://www.health.sa.gov.au/pehs/publications/090525-hiv-action-plan.pdf
• National Association of People living with HIV/AIDS, Australia (NAPWA):
  http://napwa.org.au/
• UNAIDS, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS:
  www.unaids.org/en
• World Health Organisation ‑ WHO and HIV/AIDS:
  http://www.who.int/hiv/en/

The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).

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child's sex.