"I heard that HIV is practically curable now, is that right?"
No! There is no cure for HIV.

"What percentage of college students are HIV positive?"
According to the Center for Disease Control 1 in 1500 college students are HIV positive.

"How often should I get tested if I never use condoms?"
If you have multiple partners and refuse to protect yourself or the partners, you should be tested as frequently as possible. This is a life and death decision for you and for them. Testing may not be 100% accurate in every case so prevention is your best protection.

"What is my real risk to get HIV from a single night of unprotected sex with a strange female?"
The mathmatical probability of contracting an STD is affected by the following factors; presence of HIV (one partner affected), the woman (or recieving partner) is more likely to contract this, the method of exposure (vaginal, oral or anal penetration), the presence of other STDs at the time of exposure, lack of male circumcision, intercourse during menstruation. One study cited the risk of HIV transmission from a male to a female at less than 0.2% per contact (Peterman TS. et al. Risk of human immunodeficiency virus transmission from heterosexual adults with transfusion associated infections. JAMA 1988: 259 (1):55-58). It is cited that there is a lower transmission rate from females to males on the order of 0.11% per sexual contact (Gray RH, et al. Probability of HIV-1 transmission per coital act in monogamous, heterosexual, HIV-1 discordant couples in Rakai, Uganda. Lancet 2001; 357 (9263):1149-1153). It is important to remember that the risk of transmission goes up dramatically if one partner has an open sore or if there is any compromise of the normal skin barrier during intercourse. One study cites that 86% of sexual partners of HIV infected individuals who do not use protection will become HIV positive after 18 months. The use of condoms may reduce the risk of transmission by 69-85% according to different studies.

"Does everyone ultimately die of HIV/AIDS once they get it?"
The mortality rate, for all practical purposes is 100% of you do not die of something else.

"Why has Magic Johnson lived so long with HIV?"
Magic Johnson was disgnosed with HIV in 1991 and has been on therapy and followed closely ever since. His success is likely due to his physical conditioning, attention to maintaining his overall health, effective antiviral therapy and luck.

"How effective are condoms in preventing HIV transmission?"
Condoms are between 85 and 95% effective in preventing HIV transmission. One study shows that 29 of 89 condoms tested actually leaked HIV size viral particles. Condoms are 10 times more effective than not using condoms.

"What is the most risky sexual practice for contracting HIV?"
Receptive anal intercourse carries the highest rate of transmission.

"What is my risk from getting HIV from a blood transfusion?"
Estimates at this time are one case per 40,000 units of blood transfused.