HIV/AIDS

Close up of woman putting a red ribbon pin on her chest

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), a condition that impacts the immune system and eventually causes death. The main goal of the HIV/AIDS Program is to slow the spread of HIV in Shasta County. This is accomplished by providing active HIV/AIDS surveillance, education and prevention activities, HIV counseling and testing, as well as partner counseling and referral services.

HIV is a virus that is found in the following body fluids:

Blood
Vaginal Secretions
Semen
Breast Milk

HIV is a virus that is transmitted in the following ways:

Sex (oral, anal, vaginal)
Needles (drug, tattoo, piercing)
Blood transfusions, blood products or organ transplants prior to 1985
Mother-to-baby (before, during, and after birth)

HIV infection can be prevented by:

Protected Sex (condoms or latex barriers)
Sex only with negative partner(s)
Not sharing needles for drugs, tattoos, or piercings (Blood Borne Diseases-Syringe Exchange Program)
Not sharing drug works (cottons, spoons, etc.)