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Frequently Asked Questions

About HIV/AIDS

What is HIV/AIDS?

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is an advanced stage of HIV infection. Click here for an easy to read fact sheet, What is AIDS?, (also available in Spanish) from The New Mexico AIDS InfoNet web site. Links to more information about HIV/AIDS can be found in the HIV/AIDS Resources section.

How is HIV/AIDS transmitted?

HIV is transmitted when blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or breast milk from an infected person enters the bloodstream of an uninfected person. Click here for HIV Infection and AIDS: An Overview from The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) that includes detailed information on transmission. Links to more information about HIV/AIDS can be found in the HIV/AIDS Resources section.

How do I get information on HIV/AIDS?

¿ Cómo puedo conseguir información acerca del VIH/SIDA?

About HIV/AIDS Statistics

How many cases of HIV and AIDS are there in Maryland?

On March 31, 2004, Maryland had a total of 27,696 people living with HIV and AIDS (Cases reported through March 31, 2005). Be sure to visit the Statistics page in the Data/Statistics section for information about HIV and AIDS in Maryland, as well as links to national and global statistics.

About HIV Tests

Where can I get an HIV Test?

Click here for a listing of Counseling, Testing and Referral (CTR) sites in Maryland. You may also want to go to the Counseling, Testing and Referral page for information about HIV tests in Maryland.

Where can I get an OraQuick test?

Click here for a listing of Counseling, Testing and Referral (CTR) sites in Maryland that provide rapid testing. You may also want to go to the Counseling, Testing and Referral page for information about HIV tests in Maryland.