HIV
In major UK cities, 1 in 10 gay men are living with HIV.
You might not think it affects you - or maybe you just don't want to talk about it.
If you are a sexually active gay or bisexual man, chances are you have already come into contact with the virus - but you might not know it. By exploring this section of the LGF website you will understand how HIV affects you and the men you have sex with.
What are HIV and AIDS?
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus that weakens the immune system, leaving us open to infection.
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and is caused by HIV. AIDS is generally used to describe the latter stages of HIV infection when the immune system has stopped working effectively, and the person develops a life threatening illness(es) such as pneumonia.
You cannot get infected with AIDS. You can however be infected with HIV which could then develop into AIDS. Specialists now prefer to use the term ‘advanced’ or ‘late stage’ HIV infection.
