How is the AIDS virus transmitted? and what does a HIV test show?

(From: Travis Lee Winfrey <[email protected]>)

"AIDS is caused by the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV). In a
person infected with HIV, the virus can be present in the body's
semen, blood, and breast milk. It can also be present, in much
smaller quantities, in vaginal secretion, saliva, and tears.

The AIDS virus can be transmitted via any of these fluids, but only
the first two -- semen and blood -- are likely to be involved. Anal
sex is the most commonly _perceived_ method of transfer, but vaginal
sex has been repeatedly shown to transmit HIV. Men are less likely
than women to be infected through vaginal sex, but they have, in
fact, been infected this way. Cunnilingus and fellatio have also
been established as capable of transmitting the virus. Sexual
activities, not sexual orientation, transmit the virus.

HIV cannot be passed on through casual contact, hugging,
hand-shaking, touching the sweat of an infected person, or mosquito
bites. HIV can pass through non-latex or "natural" condoms, such as
Fourex Lambskin condoms. HIV transmission has nothing whatever to
do with the presence of feces in anal sex.

The HIV test shows the presence of antibodies to HIV. It does not
show the presence of the virus: the body first has to develop
antibodies, which normally takes about six weeks. Hence, a positive
result means that someone has antibodies and could possibly develop
AIDS in the future. A negative result means that someone does not
have antibodies _at the moment_. If there is a reason to think that
exposure was more recent than six weeks, then a test taken
immediately can only serve as a baseline to compare against a test
taken later. Within six months of HIV infection, 99% of the
population will test positive. No one should be tested for HIV
without first obtaining counselling and ensuring _beforehand_ support
from his or her family or friends.

The following numbers may be of use.

AIDS Hotline (800) 342-2437
AIDS Information Clearing House (800) 458-5231 9-7 EST

CDC AIDS Ethnicity, Age recording (404) 330-3020
CDC AIDS Transmission mode recording (404) 330-3021
CDC AIDS Top 10, Projections recording (404) 330-3022