It is not just certain "high risk groups" that are infected with HIV. Everybody is at risk of contracting the virus.

HIV can be transmitted in three ways:

• blood to blood contact
• sexual contact
• perinatal contact.

Infectious body fluids include blood, semen, vaginal/cervical secretions, and breast milk.

People may become infected with HIV if they:

• Have sexual intercourse with someone infected with HIV
• Use a needle or syringe that has previously been used by someone infected with HIV
• Are born to a woman who is infected with HIV

Any or all or none of the following symptoms may occur:

• Recurrent infections
• Joint and muscle pains
• Headaches
• Stomach upsets
• Rash
• Lumps and bumps (swollen glands)

The only useful test in diagnosing the virus is a blood test that detects the presence of antibodies to HIV. This test does not always detect the antibodies immediately and a negative test should be repeated in 3 months.

All HIV antibody test results are considered confidential and so the test results cannot be released without your written consent except on the order of a court.

A positive test result means you are infected with HIV, you will always have HIV, and you can infect others.

Once the condition has been diagnosed, the progress of the virus can be monitored by a blood test called a CD4 count.

The disease cannot be cured but can be treated. There are several anti-viral treatments that are currently being tested but their use is still controversial.

Symptoms should be treated early and aggressively, especially infections.

You should look at your lifestyle and try to make it as healthy as possible. This means giving up smoking, eating regular nutritious meals, avoiding stress where possible and making sure not to become too exhausted.

A regular check-up is advised, possibly with a CD4 count to show how much the immune system is suppressed.