How does it get inside our bodies? It is mainly passed on through body fluids. The main fluids are:

Breast milk Blood Semen Vaginal fluids.

The most common ways that HIV gets inside our bodies include:

Penetrative sex (without a condom) Drug equipment (if it's already been used by an infected person) Getting blood infected with HIV inside us, such as sharing razors, or tatooing or body/ear piercing equipment. A woman to her baby during birth, or breast feeding.

What is AIDS? Although with careful medical interventions such as various drugs and treatments, many people with HIV can stay well for many years. Some people will still have times of illness, and people still die of AIDS-related illness.

If someone with HIV does become ill with one or more of a number of particular illnesses, they may be diagnosed medically as having "Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome" (AIDS).

AIDS itself is not a virus or a single illness. It is a term used to describe certain illnesses connected with HIV.

Help & Support One place to go is Department of Genito-Urinary Medicine (GU) clinic at a large hospital. The clinics are free and confidential. Anyone can go; doctors do not need to refer you.

There may be a specialist agency offering information, emotional support and practical help in your area. National AIDS help line (24 hours) Call: 0800 567 123

It can be passed on through:

* Unprotected vaginal or anal sex with an infected partner. * Sharing sex toys * Passed from mother to baby at birth.

If it is left untreated for long enough it can cause serious damage such as problems with fertility including:

* Blocked fallopian tubes (resulting in infertility) * Miscarriage or premature birth * Ectopic pregnancy

Help and Support

Chlamydia will not go away on it’s own. However it can be simply and successfully treated with antibiotics.

If you think you have been at risk you can either talk to your GP and ask specifically for a test, or you can contact a sexual health clinic. These are also known as Genito-Urinary Medicine (GU) clinics, and are usually found at a large hospital. The clinics are free and confidential. Anyone can go; your doctor does not need to refer you.

You can find your nearest one in phone book. Or by calling: NHS Direct 0845 4647.

Sexual health help-line is available seven days a week 24 hours a day Call: 0800 567 123