HIV is transmitted through direct transfer of blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk.  The most common ways this can happen is:

• sexual intercourse with an infected partner or other sexual activities such as oral sex, where semen, vaginal secretions or blood enter the body 
• sharing infected needles or syringes 
• unscreened or untreated transfusions of blood or blood products (blood products are screened in the UK)
• from an HIV+ mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding 

It is important to know that you cannot get HIV from:

• kissing
• touching
• holding hands
• sharing eating utensils 
• toilet seats
• swimming pools

The Specialist Social Care Team provides services for people affected by HIV/AIDS.  The team provides information, assessment and care services for individuals who may be, or are infected with HIV/AIDS, their carers, family members and significant others.  The care that can be provided includes access to the full range of Health, Housing and Adult services provision that can be given.  

How can this service help you?

• helping people access specialist health and social care assessments and appropriate treatment
• helping patients adhere to drug regimes 
• helping access to education, employment and leisure facilities
• ensure people have their needs assessed and met for welfare, benefits, housing, advocacy, interpretation, peer support and other practical support for life in the community
• supporting carers and families
• making sure people with HIV benefit from wider initiatives that promotes social inclusion

There are a number of organisations in the city who can provide information, support and advice to people with HIV/AIDS, including their family or carers. 

• Health, Housing and Adult Services
• Specialist Centres in Sunderland
• Health Services
• Other organisations

If there were a need identified to work with families where a child is HIV positive then we would seek help from a specialist service.

For further details or enquiries you can email: AdultDirectorate@ssd.sunderland.gov.uk or telephone us on 0191 520 5555.

You may find the following links useful:

The Terence Higgins Trust 
HIV and Aids Statistics from around the world
The Truth about Aids
Services for men who have sex with men
National AIDS Trust

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