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THEIR PAST COULD MAKE YOU HISTORY

YOU MAY THINK AIDS, ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME, IS SOMETHING YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT. BUT YOU MAY BE WRONG. YOUR PARTNER’S PAST COULD MAKE YOU HISTORY. PROTECTING YOURSELF AGAINST AIDS BEGINS WITH RECOGNIZING YOUR RISK. YOU MAY BE CAREFUL, BUT CONSIDER THIS:

IF YOU’VE HAD TWO SEX PARTNERS IN THE LAST YEAR, AND EACH OF YOUR PARTNERS HAD TWO OTHER PARTNERS THE YEAR BEFORE, AND SO ON, FOR THE LAST NINE YEARS, IT’S AS IF YOU’VE SLEPT WITH 512 PEOPLE... WHOSE PAST YOU DON’T KNOW. TO GET THE FACTS ABOUT AIDS, READ ON OR CALL THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH’S FREE HOTLINE: 1-800-243-2437.

AIDS is a fatal disease that causes the body to lose its natural protection against infection. It is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which attacks the body’s immune system. People with HIV are more likely to become ill from diseases that healthy people can usually fight off, such as unusual types of pneumonia and cancers. There is no vaccine or cure for HIV or AIDS.

Both men and women can get HIV. The virus is spread most commonly through vaginal, anal or oral intercourse with someone who is infected with HIV, or by sharing drug needles or syringes with someone who has the virus. HIV cannot be spread through casual contact, such as hugging, shaking hands or being near an HIV-infected person who is coughing or sneezing. HIV is not spread by drinking glasses, eating utensils or mosquitos.

Those at greatest risk of HIV infection are:

  • People who have more than one sex partner or who don’t know the sexual history of their partner or partners.
  • People who share needles or syringes to inject drugs or steroids.
  • Men who have sex with men.
  • The sex partners of persons who have been involved in the above behaviors.
  • Babies born to infected mothers.

You can’t tell if your partner is infected with HIV. Many people who have the virus do not appear to be ill. But once people have been infected, they can spread HIV to others for the rest of their lives.

How can you avoid infection? The only certain ways are to abstain from sex or stay in a relationship where both partners are not infected with HIV and have sex only with each other and never share needles or syringes. Make it a point to learn about your partner’s medical, sexual and social history. Proper use of latex condoms during vaginal, anal and oral sex reduces your chances of getting HIV.

To find out more about AIDS and HIV testing, talk to your doctor or your local health department. You can also call the Illinois Department of Public Health toll-free AIDS/HIV & STD Hotline at 1-800-243-2437, TTY 1-800-782-0423, to ask questions or get information about where to get tested. All of your questions will be answered in strict confidence. The Illinois Department of Public Health operates counseling and testing sites throughout the state, where free, anonymous or confidential counseling and testing is offered.




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HIV/AIDS Home

Illinois Department of Public Health
535 West Jefferson Street
Springfield, Illinois 62761
Phone 217-782-4977
Fax 217-782-3987
TTY 800-547-0466
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