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Information for Public & Patients

What is HIV?

nurse HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. This virus may be passed from one person to another when infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions come in contact with an uninfected person’s broken skin or mucous membranes. HIV can be passed by infected pregnant women to their babies during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breast-feeding. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. Some of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection.

Learn more about HIV
Learn more about AIDS

What is an HIV specialist?

HIV is a very complex disease that requires treatment from a specialist devoted solely to the care of people with HIV. Being an HIV specialist is not just a matter of a physician calling him or herself a specialist. There are guidelines and requirements that have to be met in order to be considered an HIV specialist. Read HIVMA's definition of an HIV specialist.

Get Tested!

There are many different kinds of HIV tests, including rapid tests and home test kits. All HIV tests approved by the US government are very good at finding HIV.

You can locate a testing site by visiting the CDC HIV testing database or by calling CDC-INFO (formerly the CDC National AIDS Hotline) at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) 24 Hours/Day. You do not have to give any personal information about yourself to use these services to find a testing site.

Find a Care Provider

If you are diagnosed with HIV, you can find a care provider in your area using our online provider directory. Find a provider near you.

Click on any of the links below for more information.

Nutrition	Community Based Organizations	Youth & HIV	Special Populations
International	Recursos en Espanol	Clinical Trials	Find a Provider
	Expanded Access & Patient Assistance Programs	Other STDs and Coinfections

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