Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

hivHIV is very serious virus that can be transmitted sexually or through sharing needles. HIV weakens a person’s immune system so they cannot fight off other infections. HIV can progress into a condition called the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). HIV is considered an epidemic around the world.

Transmission

HIV is transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breaskmilk. HIV can be spread during sexual contact, sharing needles, or from a woman to a child during vaginal birth or breastfeeding. Using a condom or dental dam during sexual contact can prevent transmission.

Get Tested

Free HIV testing is offered once a month at each Teen Clinic on a walk-in basis. For HIV testing in Boulder, come in the first Tuesday of the month from 4-7pm. For HIV testing in Longmont, come in the third Wednesday of the month from 3:30-5:30pm. The next HIV testing in…

  • Boulder: September 7th
  • Longmont: September 15th

Symptoms & Complications

There are no direct symptoms of HIV. The virus attacks a person’s immune system  making them vulnerable to other infections. It often takes more than 20 years for an infected person to notice any changes in their body.

An HIV positive person can be diagnosed with AIDS if their immune system gets very weak and their T-cell count drops low (below 200).

Testing

If you are thinking about becoming sexually active or already are, it’s very important to get tested. An HIV test is super quick. Withjust a finger prick of blood a rapid HIV test can show results within 10 minutes.

Treatment

HIV is not curable but it is treatable. There are many treatments to help manage HIV and AIDS. It’s very important that people infected with HIV work closely with a medical provider to find the treatment medication that works with their body. For local information on HIV, check out the Boulder County AIDS Project (BCAP).

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