Aids: a serious disease caused by the HIV virus.
Acquired: encountered during life.
Immune deficiency: body defences are weakened.
Syndrome: signs characterizing a disease.

HIV: The virus causing AIDS is called Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV – VIH in French). HIV is transmitted trough sexual relations and blood, and from mother to child. It destroys T4 lymphocytes (immune system cells – the body’s natural defences against diseases).

Being HIV-negative: Having no HIV virus in the body.

Being HIV-positive: Someone becomes HIV-positive a few weeks after being infected by HIV. HIV Infection’s particularity is that it can stay invisible, not appearing  for many years. Once contaminated, HIV-positive persons can transmit the virus while not showing any visible sign of the disease. The only way to know if someone is HIV-positive is to make an Aids test.

Tri-therapy: Three-drugs treatment. Treatment against Aids is often called tri-therapy because it usually involves three (sometimes more) anti-HIV drugs.



Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are infections transmitted from person to person through sexual contact.

These infections often produce symptoms (irritation, spots, sores, discharges...) on sexual organs as well as on the skin around the vagina, penis, mouth, anus, or sometimes even the whole body.

STIs can be easily transmitted, sometimes by a simple contact or even a kiss (herpes, syphilis, etc.): a condom is not always enough to be protected.

STIs make mucous membranes more vulnerable and increase risks of catching or transmitting HIV, the virus causing Aids.

If you have had an unprotected sexual relation or think you have a STI, quickly go to a general practitioner or an anti-venereal health centre (where consultation is free and anonymous).