True or False?

1. AIDS is caused by a virus called HIV, which stands for human immunodeficiency virus.

2. AIDS is the late stage of the disease when people get sick from infections.

3. HIV weakens the immune system so much that a mild illness can turn into a deadly disease.

4. You can catch HIV from an infected person if you swim in the same pool.

5. There are no safe ways to get physical with someone who has HIV or AIDS.

6. HIV is transmitted only through sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal, oral), sharing needles, through blood, and from mom to baby before or during birth or through breast feeding.

7. Using condoms is a good way to reduce the risk of contracting HIV through sex.

8. The more people you have sex with, the greater your chances of getting HIV.
 
 

ANSWERS

1. True. And, AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

2. True. In some people, it can take 10 or more years after they contract HIV for AIDS to develop. So, a person can look and feel healthy for years, but can still pass the virus to someone else.

3. True. AIDS sufferers often die from a lung infection or a form of cancer.

4. False. Other ways HIV is NOT spread: sitting next to someone, shaking hands or touching them, using the same bathroom, water fountain or telephone, sharing computer terminals.

5. False. Touching, hugging, massage, masturbation and "dry" kissing (mouths closed) are all safe.

6. True. There's no other way to catch it.

7. True. Only abstaining from sex is 100 percent safe, but using latex condoms every time you have sex really reduces your chances of contracting HIV and other common STDs. (They also prevent pregnancy.)

8. True. Doctors say it's safer to limit the number of sexual partners.
 
 

Sources: New Jersey Department of Health, American Association for World Health, the World Health Association.