HIV/AIDS Also called: AIDS, Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, HIV, Human immunodeficiency virus Summary HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It kills or damages the body’s immune system cells. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is the most advanced stage of infection with HIV. HIV most often spreads through unprotected sex with an infected person. It may also spread by sharing drug needles or through contact with the blood of an infected person. Women can give it to their babies during pregnancy or childbirth. The first signs of HIV infection may be swollen glands and flu-like symptoms. These may come and go a month or two after infection. Severe symptoms may not appear until months or years later. A blood test can tell if you have HIV infection. Your health care provider can perform the test, or call the national referral hotline at 1-800-CDC-INFO (24 hours a day, 1-800-232-4636 in English and en español; 1-888-232-6348 – TTY). 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Healthy Roads Media How you get HIV/AIDS Healthy Roads Media Need to Know: The Importance of HIV Testing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Symptoms HIV/AIDS – Signs & Symptoms Healthy Roads Media Signs and Symptoms AIDS.gov Images Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Primary Infection Logical Images Women MedlinePlus: HIV/AIDS in Women National Library of Medicine Journal Articles HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS prevention HIV/AIDS vaccines Specifics Stages of HIV Infection AIDS.gov Latest News Work with Monkeys May Benefit HIV Babies HealthDay HIV Patients Less Likely to Get Treatment for Cancer HealthDay HIV Patients Now Living Long Enough to Develop Alzheimer’s HealthDay High HIV Rates for Gay Men in Some Southern Cities HealthDay HIV Decline Falls Short of U.S. 5-Year Goal HealthDay Doctors Report Groundbreaking HIV-To-HIV Organ Transplants HealthDay