1. Tell me a little bit about HIV- what is it and how is it transmitted?

Answer: HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV and AIDS are not the same thing. HIV can be transmitted through unprotected sex, using needles or other drug equipment that has been contaminated with the virus, or from mother to child.

2. Can HIV be transmitted through casual contact?

Answer: No. Activities like kissing, hugging, or even drinking from the same glass will not spread HIV. A lot of people still have misconceptions about this.

3. What are some things that people can do to keep themselves safe from HIV?

Answer: Remember to use condoms and other latex barriers during sexual contact and not use contaminated needles for activities like tattooing or drug use. If a mother is HIV-positive, there is a 95% chance that her baby can be born without the virus if she takes medications during pregnancy, has a C-section and does not breastfeed her baby.

4. What do you think are some of the challenges that people face when trying to stay safe from HIV?

Answer: I think that it is difficult for some people to talk about HIV. There's still a lot of stigma associated with the virus. Many people aren't comfortable with talking about condoms or sex for that matter. They know that they should use condoms and know how to use them, but having a conversation about it is a different ball game.

5. What are some programs that AIDS Project Hartford offers to prevent the spread of HIV?

Answer: We offer free HIV testing, individual counseling for people that have questions about HIV or are concerned about their personal risks, group educational programs- one for Black women called "SISTA" and another for youth called "Street Smart." For individuals with substance use problems, we have a syringe exchange program and drug treatment advocates available to get people into treatment.