HIV-the basics

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Transmission

HIV is transmitted through cum, pre-cum, vaginal fluid, breast milk, and blood. Only when these body fluids (from an HIV-infected person) enter the blood stream of another person is there a risk.

So, you can get it by:

fucking or getting fucked by an infected person
sharing needles with an infected person
sharing sex toys with an infected person
sharing material for tattoos and piercings

Low Risk Activities:

sucking someone. It gets more risky if there is a cut, so avoid brushing/flossing your teeth or eating popcorn beforehand.
rubbing your genitals against the genitals of someone else if there is sperm or pre-cum present
sharing snorting straws with an infected person

The HIV Equation
Body fluid with a lot of HIV (blood, cum, pre-cum, vaginal fluid, breast milk)
+
Risk Activity
+
Direct access for the virus to enter the bloodstream
=
Risk of HIV transmission

Symptoms
About 2-6 weeks after infection, flu-like symptoms might show up, including headaches, fever, weakness, tender lumps in the neck and armpits, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. This is called sero-conversion. After these pass, more persistent or severe symptoms might not appear for years. This period of asymptomatic infection is highly individual. Some people begin to have symptoms within a few months; others are symptom-free for 10-15 years.

Prevention
Clean needles and latex condoms can prevent infection. Oral sex is considered low risk for HIV, but a condom can be used to make it safer. No vaccination for HIV currently exists. HIV infection is more likely if a person already has another STI, like syphilis or herpes, etc.

From: FERLATTE, O. and HARRIS M.. 2005. Totally Outright a guide for sexual health leaders. Community Based Research centre. 134 pages.