"Living longer. Today, a person who is infected with HIV and receives medical care has a good chance of living longer.If you are at risk, now is the time to consider all your choices, line up the support you'll need, and seek counseling and testing.If you test negative, take action to be sure you don't become infected in the future.If you are infected with HIV, you can pass the virus to others through sex or sharing drug needles and syringes, even if you show no symptoms.You should work with a doctor to to understand your medical options. The earlier this happens, the more effective medical treatments can be. Many of the side effects that have been connected with some treatments may be less of a problem when treatment is started at an earlier stage in the infection.You can extend your life if you take the proper steps. Talk to a doctor, your health department or other AIDS resources within your community or call your state or local AIDS hotline. 296-4999.HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.This has been a message from your public health department, local agencies concerned with AIDS, the State Office on HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.Washington State responds to AIDS."
