You cannot tell if someone is infected with HIV
or AIDS based on their appearance. People with HIV may look and
feel healthy. They may not even be aware that they are infected.
The Student Health Service at the NDSU Wallman Wellness Center can answer your questions about HIV and AIDS. We also do free, confidential, and needle-free (OraSure) testing and counseling.
Call 231-7331 today.
So . . . How can you protect yourself?
Choose not to have sex - or make an agreement with a partner who is not HIV-positive and stick to it.Use a condom - every time you have sex. Oral sex is not safe sex. Use a dental dam or a condom for oral sex.
Don't use IV drugs - but if you do, make sure you do not share needles.
Get tested - and make sure your partner does the same. But remember, for a person recently infected with HIV, it may take up to 6 months for the antibodies to show up in a positive test result.
Who Should Get Tested?
You should get tested if . . .
- you have ever had unprotected sex with someone you know was infected with HIV.
- you have ever shared needles with someone who was infected.
- you have ever had sex with someone who shared needles.
- you have had multiple sex partners.
- you have had sex with someone you normally would not have sex with.
- you have ever given or received sex for money or drugs.
- you or a partner has been treated for hemophilia between 1978 and 1985.
- you or a partner had a blood transfusion or organ transplant between the years 1978 and 1985.
Links:
HIV Hotline: 800-342-AIDS
www.cdc.gov/hiv/dhap.htm
North Dakota Hotline: 800-70NDHIV
www.ndhiv.com
Minnesota Hotline: 800-248-AIDS
www.health.state.mn.us