HIV Testing and Counseling

Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando offers an HIV testing and counseling program. Call 407-246-1788 to make an appointment for an HIV test.

What is HIV/AIDS?

You may have heard about HIV and AIDS, but many people don't know the basic facts about them.

HIV causes AIDS. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It breaks down the immune system — our body's protection against disease. HIV causes people to become sick with infections that normally wouldn't affect them.

AIDS is short for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. It is the most advanced stage of HIV disease.

In the United States, more than 980,000 cases of AIDS have been reported to the government. About 40,000 women and men in the United States get HIV each year.

What Are the Symptoms of HIV?

Some people develop HIV symptoms shortly after being infected. But it usually takes more than 10 years.

There are several stages of HIV disease. The first HIV symptoms may include swollen glands in the throat, armpit, or groin. Other early HIV symptoms include slight fever, headaches, fatigue, and muscle aches. These symptoms may last for only a few weeks. Then there are usually no HIV symptoms for many years. That is why it can be hard to know if you have HIV.

What Are the Symptoms of AIDS?

AIDS symptoms appear in the most advanced stage of HIV disease. In addition to a badly damaged immune system, a person with AIDS may also have

• thrush — a thick, whitish coating of the tongue or mouth that is caused by a yeast infection and sometimes accompanied by a sore throat
• severe or recurring vaginal yeast infections
• chronic pelvic inflammatory disease 
• severe and frequent infections
• periods of extreme and unexplained tiredness that may be combined with headaches, lightheadedness, and/or dizziness
• quick loss of more than 10 pounds of weight that is not due to increased physical exercise or dieting
• bruising more easily than normal
• long periods of frequent diarrhea
• frequent fevers and/or night sweats
• swelling or hardening of glands located in the throat, armpit, or groin
• periods of persistent, deep, dry coughing
• increasing shortness of breath
• the appearance of discolored or purplish growths on the skin or inside the mouth
• unexplained bleeding from growths on the skin, from the mouth, nose, anus, or vagina, or from any opening in the body
• frequent or unusual skin rashes
• severe numbness or pain in the hands or feet, the loss of muscle control and reflex, paralysis, or loss of muscular strength
• confusion, personality change, or decreased mental abilities

How Can I Know If I Have HIV?

You cannot know for sure if you have HIV until you get tested. About 1 out of 4 people with HIV don't know they are infected. Testing is the only way to tell.

Is There a Cure for HIV/AIDS?

There is currently no cure for HIV/AIDS. But there are treatments for people living with HIV/AIDS.

If you have HIV/AIDS, you can take combinations of medicines called "cocktails." The drug cocktails are designed to strengthen the immune system to keep HIV from developing into AIDS or to relieve AIDS symptoms. These drugs are often very expensive, may have serious and very uncomfortable side effects, and may not be available to everyone. They only work for some people and may only work for limited periods of time.

But thanks to "cocktails" for the immune system and improved therapies for the symptoms of AIDS, people are now able to live with HIV/AIDS for many years. New treatments and research may help people live even longer.

How Is HIV Spread?

People have lots of questions about the ways you can get HIV. HIV is transmitted in blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. The most common ways HIV is spread are by

• having vaginal or anal intercourse without a condom with someone who has HIV/AIDS
• sharing needles or syringes with someone who has HIV/AIDS
• being deeply punctured with a needle or surgical instrument contaminated with HIV
• getting HIV-infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions into open wounds or sores

Babies born to women with HIV/AIDS can get HIV from their mothers during birth or from breastfeeding.

HIV is not transmitted by simple casual contact such as kissing, sharing drinking glasses, or hugging.