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.

Most people who have HIV have no symptoms so may not know they have the virus.  There is treatment available which can delay or prevent health problems that occur with untreated HIV.

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].