Before you even think about hooking up, make sure you and your partner have been tested for HIV and STDs. Why is it so important? Because untreated, they can ruin your health, or even end your life. You need to know for sure. You need to get tested.   HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV can spread from person to person during anal, vaginal or, less commonly, oral sex. Sharing needles while injecting drugs or reusing tattoo or other body-piercing equipment can also spread HIV. And HIV can be passed from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential to prevent HIV from developing into AIDS.   Early (weeks to months after exposure) •  Flu-like illness •  Swollen lymph nodes Late (years after exposure) •  Persistent fevers •  Night sweats •  Prolonged diarrhea •  Unexplained weight loss •  Purple bumps on skin or inside mouth and nose •  Chronic fatigue •  Swollen lymph nodes •  Recurrent respiratory infections Note: These symptoms are not only limited to HIV and may have other causes. Most persons with HIV have no symptoms at all for several years.   •  Vaginal sex •  Anal sex •  Oral sex •  Sharing equipment for injecting drugs, body piercing or tattooing •  Contaminated blood products (rare) •  Infected mother to newborn       •  Shaking hands •  A kiss •  Drinking utensils •  Animals •  Hugging •  Swimming pools •  Toilet seats •  Food •  Insects •  Coughing •  Sweat •  Tears   How can you reduce the risk of HIV? •  Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS •  Always use latex condoms during vaginal, anal and oral sex •  Use a latex barrier such as a dental dam or a condom cut in half for oral sex on a vagina or anus •  Using a female condom, a polyurethane pouch that is inserted into the vagina •  Abstinence, showing your affection without engaging in oral, anal or vaginal sex •  Limiting the number of sexual partners you have •  Having only one sexual partner who only has sex with you •  Notifying sex partners immediately if infected •  Making sure sex partners are tested and treated         Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs (also referred to as sexually transmitted infections or STIs), do not refer to any one disease but include more than 25 infectious organisms (like bacteria and viruses) that are transmitted through sexual activity and the dozens of clinical diseases that they cause. Learn more about STDs at www.WrapTestTreat.com.