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Possible HIV exposure? Seek qualified care immediately—PEP must be started within 72 hours.Learn about PEP
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ANAWASS HIV education

Clear facts replace fear.

ANAWASS explains transmission, prevention, PEP, testing and treatment in plain language—then connects education to private prevention access.

HIV in pictures

Three facts worth remembering.

Use the arrows or swipe to move through the essentials.

01 / 03
Two Ethiopian friends talking comfortably
Visual lesson 1

HIV basics

HIV is not spread by everyday contact.

Hugging, sharing food, toilets, handshakes and mosquito bites do not transmit HIV.

Understand transmission
A woman reviewing private health information on her phone
Visual lesson 2

Testing

A test—not appearance—reveals HIV status.

Testing windows differ. A qualified provider can help choose the right test and timing.

Learn about testing
A man privately reading a digital health screen
Visual lesson 3

Time-sensitive

Possible exposure? PEP must begin within 72 hours.

Seek qualified care immediately. The sooner PEP starts, the better.

What to do now

Start here

What HIV is

HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system. Without treatment, it can weaken the body’s ability to fight infections. AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection—it is not a separate virus.

There is currently no cure, but effective antiretroviral treatment can make HIV a manageable long-term health condition. People receiving effective treatment can live long, healthy lives.

Important: You cannot know someone’s HIV status by appearance. Testing is the only way to know.

HIV can be transmitted through

  • Blood
  • Semen and pre-seminal fluid
  • Vaginal and rectal fluids
  • Breast milk
  • Pregnancy and birth without effective prevention and care

HIV is not transmitted by

  • Hugging, touching or sharing a room
  • Sharing food, cups or toilets
  • Coughing, sneezing, sweat or tears
  • Mosquitoes or other insects
  • Working, studying or socializing together

Prevention

Protection is not one-size-fits-all.

Different tools can be combined depending on a person’s situation, preferences and access to care.

01

Condoms

Correct and consistent condom use reduces the risk of HIV and many other STIs.

02

PrEP

Medicine used before possible exposure by people without HIV. Availability and choice should be discussed with a qualified provider.

03

PEP

Emergency medicine used after a possible exposure. It is time-sensitive and must be started within 72 hours.

04

Testing & treatment

Knowing your status connects you to prevention or treatment. Effective HIV treatment protects health and prevents sexual transmission when viral suppression is maintained.

The ANAWASS smart vending machine

Education connected to action

The ANAWASS vending solution brings prevention closer.

Clear HIV education is the first step. The ANAWASS smart vending machine is designed to make approved prevention products easier to understand and obtain privately in trusted locations.

Explore the ANAWASS machine

Urgent: PEP

Do not wait for symptoms.

PEP—post-exposure prophylaxis—is emergency HIV prevention medicine taken after a possible exposure. It must be started as soon as possible and no later than 72 hours.

What to do now

  1. 1. Go to a qualified health facility urgently.
  2. 2. Explain when and how the possible exposure happened.
  3. 3. Let a healthcare professional assess PEP, testing and follow-up.

Do not delay care while trying to calculate your risk online. A qualified provider should assess the situation.

Testing gives clarity

Different HIV tests detect infection at different times. A test taken very soon after exposure may not detect HIV, so a healthcare professional may recommend another test later.

Testing should be voluntary, confidential and connected to clear information before and after the result. A positive screening result must be confirmed according to the national testing process before treatment begins.

Testing after a recent exposure? Tell the provider when the exposure occurred so they can recommend the right test and follow-up timing.

Treatment & U=U

Treatment protects health—and can prevent sexual transmission.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) stops HIV from multiplying. With consistent treatment and care, the amount of virus in the blood can become undetectable.

U=U means Undetectable = Untransmittable: a person taking effective ART who maintains an undetectable viral load does not sexually transmit HIV. Viral-load monitoring and ongoing care matter.

Myths & facts

Questions people are often afraid to ask.

Can I get HIV from kissing?+

Ordinary social kissing does not transmit HIV. HIV is not spread through saliva.

Does an HIV diagnosis mean AIDS?+

No. AIDS is the most advanced stage of untreated HIV. Early diagnosis and effective treatment prevent progression for most people.

Can someone look healthy and have HIV?+

Yes. Appearance cannot show HIV status. Testing is the only way to know.

Does PrEP protect against every STI?+

No. PrEP prevents HIV but does not prevent other STIs or pregnancy. Condoms can reduce the risk of many STIs.

Ready for the next step?

See how the ANAWASS smart vending machine supports private prevention access, or continue learning about other STIs.

See the vending solutionLearn about STIs

Trusted sources

WHO: HIV and AIDS WHO consolidated HIV guidelines Ethiopian Ministry of Health

Last clinical-content review: September 2026. This page is educational and does not replace professional medical advice.