HIV is the short name of a virus.

The virus is called: Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

In German: Human immunodeficiency virus.

Without treatment, the virus leads to the disease AIDS.

HIV is usually transmitted through sex without a condom.

HIV is transmitted through direct contact:

• with blood,
• with semen or vaginal fluid,
• with breast milk.

HIV attacks the body's immune system.

The immune system is then weakened.

The person can become seriously ill.

Then the person has AIDS.

AIDS is an immunodeficiency disease.

AIDS is the final stage of an HIV infection.

Anyone infected with HIV will get AIDS.

If they do not receive treatment.

HIV infection is not yet curable.

But HIV infection can be treated very well today.

This is only possible if the disease is diagnosed at an early stage.

There is still no vaccination against HIV.

Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver.

The inflammation is triggered by the hepatitis C virus.

The hepatitis C virus is called HCV for short.

HCV is usually transmitted through blood-to-blood contact.

This means that

A person has contact with the blood of another person.

Even very little blood is sufficient here.

For example: when drug addicts use the same syringe.

Blood-to-blood contact can also happen:

• when piercing or tattooing,
• when piercing pierced ears,

if the work is not done cleanly.

And if the needles used are not completely clean.

HCV is rarely transmitted through sex.

But it can happen.

For example: If a person has unprotected sex.

And if the person gets small injuries in the process.

You don't notice the liver inflammation at first.

You may feel tired.

Or you may feel pressure in your right upper abdomen.

Only sometimes you get a yellow craving at the beginning.

Without treatment, the inflammation often gets worse.

You can develop liver cirrhosis.

This means that the liver no longer works properly.

Or you can get liver cancer.

There is no vaccination against HCV.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease.

This is how it is pronounced: syphilis.

Syphilis is usually transmitted by bacteria during sex.

Only every 2nd person notices the infection.

How do you notice an infection with syphilis?

On the penis or vagina

a painless ulcer with a hard edge.

And the lymph nodes in the groin swell up.

Later, the bacteria spread throughout the body.

People can develop various symptoms:

• Rash on the skin,
• fever,
• hair loss
• and many other ailments.

If the disease is not treated,

• it can heal,
• or it can remain in the body for years.

Sometimes people have no symptoms at first.

Even after many years, syphilis can still make people very ill.

Internal organs can be severely damaged.

The brain and spinal cord can be destroyed.