HIV INFO + RESOURCES
HIV TODAY
What You Need to Know
We have lived with HIV and AIDS for more than 30 years, since it was first recognized as an unexplained pattern of illnesses in 1981. The epidemic has undergone many shifts and changes. We have moved from a time of terror and crisis, through years of struggle and activism, until today, when breakthroughs in medications and treatments mean that HIV is no longer a death sentence, but a manageable illness.
As the face and demographics of HIV and AIDS continue to change, most basic facts about the disease remain the same. Methods of transmission, the importance of safer sex practices, the need for open communication with your partners are still vital. Arming yourself with this basic information about HIV is the first step to keeping yourself and your partner(s) informed and healthy.
HIV transmission is preventable.
It is essential for us all to be aware and educated about HIV. Knowing even the most basic information can help you protect yourself, your sexual partner(s), and anyone in your life from transmission.

hiv 101
What is HIV?
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, decreasing the body’s ability to fight germs. Germs can cause life threatening infections to a person whose immune system has been weakened by HIV. If left untreated, HIV can progress to AIDS. There is no cure for HIV; however, medical treatment and care can help someone living with HIV stay healthy and improve their quality of life.
What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is a serious condition in which the immune system has been severely weakened by chronic HIV. An individual diagnosed with AIDS is susceptible to a variety of infections that are less common in people with a healthier immune system. Medical treatment and care can help someone living with HIV and/or diagnosed with AIDS manage and possibly improve immune system function and overall health.
How is HIV transmitted?
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Having unprotected vaginal or anal sex, with greater risk to a receptive partner. -
Sharing needles with someone who is living with HIV. This could include injecting drugs, steroids, or vitamins; and sharing tattooing or piercing equipment. -
Breast-feeding by a mother living with HIV. -
Having unprotected oral sex with someone who is living with HIV.
What are the symptoms of HIV?
Sometimes individuals exposed to HIV will go through an acute stage of the infection. Acute HIV infection is the time between when a person is exposed to the virus and when they produce an antibody response. This stage may include flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, night sweats, rashes, diarrhea, etc. However, these symptoms also can occur with a variety of other viral infections unrelated to HIV.
What type of HIV testing is available?
My HIV test came back Reactive. What does that mean?
I think I may have been exposed to HIV. What should I do?
prevention and risk
How can I reduce HIV transmission?
Before sexual or injecting activities:
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Communicate openly with your partner(s). -
Get tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. -
If you’re HIV negative, talk with your primary care provider to see if PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is right for you. -
If you’re living with HIV, access medical care and HIV antiretroviral medication to obtain a repressed viral load.
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A latex external condom with water-based or silicone-based lubricant. -
A polyurethane external condom with water-based, silicone-based, or oil-based lubricant. -
An internal condom with water-based, silicone-based, or oil-based lubricant.
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Use new needles and equipment for each use. -
Never share needles or injecting equipment with others. -
Visit The Works Program to access needles, “works”, and resources.
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Use a latex barrier (“dam”). -
Use a latex or polyurethane condom (assorted flavors available at BCAP). -
Avoid brushing or flossing right before oral sex to prevent creating small cuts in the mouth.
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Access prenatal care, including HIV testing.
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Start taking HIV treatment during pregnancy to decrease the amount of virus in the blood. (However, HIV will not cross the placenta through the umbilical cord. This cord acts as a “filter”, not allowing the mother’s blood to mix with the child’s). -
Talk with your primary care provider(s) about the possibility of a c-section instead of a vaginal birth. -
Use formula instead of breastfeeding.
How to use a condom
During vaginal and/or anal sex, follow these steps to correctly use a condom:
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Make sure the condom is lubricated and made of either latex, polyurethane, or polyisoprene. -
Check the expiration date. Squeeze the package to make sure there is a pillow of air. This indicates the condom is undamaged. -
Carefully open the package; do not use teeth or scissors. -
Position the condom so it resembles a sombrero hat. -
Squeeze a few drops of water or silicone-based lubricant inside the tip of the condom. Do not use oil-based lubricants. -
Pinch the condom at its tip, leaving a 1/2 inch space for semen to collect. Make sure to squeeze out any air. -
Put the condom on the head of an erect penis. If this penis is uncircumcised, pull back the foreskin before putting on the condom. Then, unroll the condom to the base of the penis. -
Smooth out any air pockets between the condom and the penis. -
Add lubrication to the outside of the condom, and as needed throughout intercourse. -
Use a new condom between anal and vaginal sex, as well as between different sexual partners. -
Throughout intercourse, check to make sure the condom remains on the penis. -
When done with intercourse, withdraw the erect penis gently while holding the rim of the condom at the base of the penis. -
Gently roll the condom off the penis. Do this away from your partner’s body. -
Tie a knot at the end of the condom, wrap in tissue, and throw it away in the trash.

How is HIV transmitted?
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Having unprotected vaginal or anal sex, with greater risk to a receptive partner. -
Sharing needles with someone who is living with HIV. This could include injecting drugs, steroids, or vitamins; and sharing tattooing or piercing equipment. -
Breast-feeding by a mother living with HIV. -
Having unprotected oral sex with someone who is living with HIV.
How to use additional barriers
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Apply water-based lubricant on one side of the barrier. This side will be put against the skin of the receptive partner. -
Put the lubricated side of the barrier up to your partner’s vagina or anus. -
When finished with the oral sex, dispose of the latex barrier (not in the toilet). -
Remember to use a new barrier for each act of oral-vaginal or oral-anal sex or if you decide to switch between areas. -
Do not share barriers between partners, but instead use a new barrier for each person.
Where can I get condoms and other barriers?
PREP & PEP
What is PEP?
What is PrEP?
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a new and exciting HIV prevention strategy in the form of a one-a-day medicine (Truvada®). When used daily as prescribed, it is more than 92% effective in preventing HIV transmission. For an individual on PrEP, HIV infection can become practically non-existent if it’s taken correctly alongside condoms and other prevention strategies.
More questions about PrEP or PEP?
additional resources
Colorado Resources
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Colorado AIDS Service Organizations (list)
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Planned Parenthood – Boulder
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GMLA – Find a LGBT-Welcoming Health Care Provider
National HIV Resources
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The Body – The Complete HIV & AIDS Resource
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Learn Psychology – The College Student’s Guide to Safe & Healthy Intimate Relationships
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Poz.com – Health Life & HIV
Legislation and Advocacy
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Positive Women’s Network – USA
Health Care & Insurance
CO AIDS SERVICE ORGAnizations

Boulder County AIDS Project (BCAP)
Serves Boulder, Broomfield, Gilpin, and Clear Creek Counties.
Web: www.bcap.org
Address: 2118 14th Street, Boulder, CO 80302
Phone: 303.444.6121
Español: 303.444.7181
Fax: 303.444.0260
Email:
Denver Colorado AIDS Project – Colorado Health Network
Serves the greater Denver metro area, including Denver, Arapahoe, Adams, Jefferson, Broomfield, and Douglas Counties.
Web: www.denvercap.org
Address: 6260 E. Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80220
Phone: 303.837.0166
Northern Colorado AIDS Project (NCAP)
Serves the counties of Larimer, Weld, Morgan, Logan, Sedgwick, Phillips, Yuma, and Washington.
Web: www.denvercap.org/northern-colorado-aids-project
Address: 400 Remington, Suite 100, Fort Collins, CO 80524
Address: 2017 9th Street, Greeley, CO 80631
Phone: 970.484.4469 (Fort Collins)
Phone: 970.353.1177 (Greeley)
Southern Colorado AIDS Project (S-CAP)
Serves the counties of Alamosa, Baca, Bent, Chaffee, Cheyenne, Conejos, Costilla, Crowley, Custer, El Paso, Elbert, Fremont, Huerfano, Kiowa, Kit Carson, Las Animas, Lincoln, Mineral, Otero, Park, Powers, Pueblo, Rio Grande, Saguache, and Teller.
Web: www.denvercap.org/southern-colorado-aids-project
Address: 1301 South 8th Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80905
Address: 505 West 8th Street, Pueblo, CO 81003
Phone: 719.578.9092 (Colorado Springs)
Phone: 719.924.8925 (Pueblo)
Western Colorado AIDS Project (WCAP)
Serves the counties of Moffat, Routt, Jackson, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Eagle, Summit, Grand, Lake, Pitkin, Mesa, Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel, Dolores, San Juan, Hinsdale, Montezuma, La Plata, and Archuleta.
Web: www.denvercap.org/western-colorado-aids-project
Address: 805 Main Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Phone: 970.243.2437