Facts and Statistics

For questions or concerns about facts and statistics regarding HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections, please contact HARC and ask to speak to a Prevention Specialist. Factual and statistical information can also be obtained by visiting the following sites:

www.mihivnews.com
www.michigan.gov/mdch
www.thebody.com
www.cdc.gov
www.who.int/en/

Facts about How HIV is Spread and Prevented

HIV is a virus one person can pass to another. AIDS is the stage of HIV disease when the immune system becomes very weak. When this happens, the person with HIV can become ill with other diseases and infections.

HIV is transmitted by engaging in unprotected anal, vaginal and oral intercourse (penetration), sharing needles or other drug use materials (ie pipes, spoons, cookers), an infected mother may pass HIV onto to her unborn child. HIV is not passed through everyday casual contact (ie. Shaking hands, hugs, talking, etc). See Frequently Asked Questions for more detailed information.

HIV can be passed through four bodily fluids:

• Blood
• Semen/Pre-cum
• Vaginal fluids
• Breast milk

HIV can be prevented. You will be safer if you:

• Use a latex condom, with water-based lubricant, for all types of sex (oral, anal, vaginal, sex toys)
• Don’t share needles
• Thoroughly clean your needles before using them
• Dispose of your needles safely, in a plastic, puncture-proof container, like an old Clorox bottle
• Don’t share any of the four body fluids that can transmit HIV
• Don’t have sex
• Get tested for HIV with your partner

How to put on a condom:

• Gently squeeze the tip of the condom with one hand, making sure there is no air in the tip
• While you continue to squeeze the tip of the condom, forcing out any air, begin to unroll the condom down the length of the erect penis
• Carefully unroll the condom all the way down to the base of the penis (to the pubic hair)
• Add more water-based lubricant to the outside of the condom. Be sure to place water-based lubricant (non-flavored) inside the vagina or anus before and during penetration.

How to clean your works (needles and syringes):

• Fill your syringe with water, shake it, and push out the water. Do this 3 times
• Fill your syringe with bleach, shake it, and push out the bleach. Do this 3 times
• Fill your syringe with water, shake it, and push out the water. Do this 3 times