Download a factsheet on HIV/AIDS (PDF 65 KB)
Download a brochure on HIV Choices & Responsibilities (PDF 716 KB)
Visit the Western Australian AIDS Council (WAAC) website (External link)

What causes HIV/AIDS? The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which can lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

How is HIV spread? By unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex, and blood-to-blood contact.

An infected mother can pass HIV on to her unborn baby in the womb, during birth or from breast feeding.

What are the symptoms of HIV? Some people have severe flu-like symptoms within 6 weeks of being infected, but others have no symptoms.

People with HIV can feel and look healthy for 10 years or more. As the virus continues to attack the immune system, people develop various signs of the infection including:

• constant tiredness
• swollen glands
• rapid weight loss
• night sweats
• memory loss
• diarrhoea.

When the immune system is badly damaged, certain cancers and infections can occur. This stage of the infection is called AIDS.

How do you get tested for HIV? A blood test.

What is the treatment for HIV/AIDS? If you are exposed to HIV, there is special treatment that can prevent you getting the infection if you see a doctor immediately.

Someone with HIV remains infected for life. If their HIV infection is found early enough, with daily treatment, people can live for many years.

There is no vaccine or cure for HIV.

Pregnant women can receive treatment so their babies probably will not get HIV.

How can you minimise the risk of contracting HIV?: 

• always use a condom
• avoid sex with casual partners and/or decrease the number of partners
• never share needles and other injecting equipment (make sure injecting equipment is new and/or sterile)
• never use contaminated tattooing and body piercing equipment.
• never share personal items such as razors, toothbrushes or dental floss.

Have a check-up for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) if you have had:

• unsafe sex
• a new partner 
• symptoms.

Visit the "Where can I go for help?" webpage to find out where you can get an STI check-up