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What is HIV?

What is HIV?

HIV is short for human immunodeficiency virus. This virus prevents the body's immune system from working properly and makes it hard to fight off infections.

HIV can be passed from one person to another through body fluids. These are:

  • blood
  • semen
  • vaginal fluids
  • breast milk.

For further information about HIV, see the Ministry of Health's website [link to http://www.moh.govt.nz/aids].