HIV and AIDS

Symptoms

Most people infected with HIV experience a short, flu-like illness that occurs 2-6 weeks after infection. After this, HIV may not cause any symptoms for several years.

It's estimated up to 80% of people who are infected with HIV experience this flu-like illness.

The most common symptoms are:

• raised temperature (fever)
• sore throat
• body rash

Other symptoms can include:

• tiredness
• joint pain
• muscle pain

• swollen glands

The symptoms usually last 1-2 weeks, but can be longer. They're a sign that your immune system is putting up a fight against the virus. 

But having these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have the HIV virus. Remember: they're commonly caused by conditions other than HIV.

If you have several of these symptoms and think you've been at risk of HIV infection within the past few weeks, you should get an HIV test.

After the initial symptoms disappear, HIV may not cause any further symptoms for many years.

During this time, the virus continues to be active and causes progressive damage to your immune system.

This process can vary from person to person, but may take up to 10 years, during which you'll feel and appear well.

Once the immune system becomes severely damaged, symptoms can include:

• weight loss
• chronic diarrhoea
• night sweats
• skin problems
• recurrent infections
• serious life-threatening illnesses

Earlier diagnosis and treatment of HIV can prevent these problems.

Causes

A person with HIV can pass the virus on to others even if they do not have any symptoms. People with HIV can pass the virus on more easily in the weeks following infection.

HIV treatment significantly reduces the risk of someone with HIV passing it on.

Sexual contact

It may also be possible to catch HIV through unprotected oral sex, but the risk is much lower.

The risk is higher if:

• the person giving oral sex has mouth ulcers, sores or bleeding gums

• the person receiving oral sex has recently been infected with HIV and has a lot of the virus in their body, or another sexually transmitted infection

Risk Factors

People who are at higher risk of becoming infected with HIV include:

• people with a current or previous partner with HIV

• people with a current or previous partner who is from an area with high HIV rates
• people who engage in chemsex (using drugs to help or enhance sex)
• men who have unprotected sex with men
• women who have unprotected sex 
• people who inject drugs and share equipment
• people who have unprotected sex with somebody who has injected drugs and shared equipment
• people who share sex toys with someone infected with HIV
• people with a history of sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis B or hepatitis C
• people who have had multiple sexual partners
• people who have been raped
• people who have received a blood transfusion or other risk-prone procedures in countries that do not have strong screening for HIV
• healthcare workers who could accidentally prick themselves with an infected needle – but this risk is extremely low
• babies born from a parent with untreated HIV
  

Diagnosis

The only way to find out if you have HIV is to have an HIV test, as symptoms of HIV may not appear for many years. Anyone who thinks they could have HIV should get tested.

When to get tested

Seek medical advice immediately if you think there's a chance you could have HIV. The earlier it's diagnosed, the earlier you can start treatment and avoid becoming seriously ill.

Some HIV tests may need to be repeated 1-3 months after exposure to HIV infection, but you should not wait this long to seek help.

A GP or a sexual health professional can talk to you about having a test and discuss whether you should take emergency HIV medicine.

Anti-HIV medicine called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may stop you becoming infected if taken within 72 hours of being exposed to the virus. 

Treatment Options

While there's no cure for HIV, there are very effective treatments that enable most people with the virus to live a long and healthy life.

Emergency HIV drugs

If you think you've been exposed to the virus, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medicine may stop you becoming infected.

PEP must be started within 72 hours of coming into contact with the virus for it to be effective. It's only recommended following higher risk exposure, particularly where the sexual partner is known to be positive.

PEP involves taking HIV treatment every day for 1 month. It may cause some side effects.

Antiretroviral drugs

HIV is treated with antiretroviral medicines, which work by stopping the virus replicating in the body. This allows the immune system to repair itself and prevent further damage.

A combination of HIV drugs is used because HIV can quickly adapt and become resistant.

Some HIV treatments have been combined into a single pill, known as a fixed dose combination, although these often cost more to prescribe.

Usually, people who have just been diagnosed with HIV take between 1 and 4 pills a day.

Different combinations of HIV medicines work for different people, so the medicine you take will be individual to you.

The amount of HIV virus in your blood (viral load) is measured to see how well treatment is working. Once it can no longer be measured it's known as undetectable. Most people taking daily HIV treatment reach an undetectable viral load within 6 months of starting treatment.

Many of the medicines used to treat HIV can interact with other medicines prescribed by your GP or bought over the counter. These include some nasal sprays and inhalers, herbal remedies like St John's wort, as well as some recreational drugs. Always check with your GP before taking any other medicines.

Prevention Tips

There are many effective ways to prevent or reduce the risk of HIV infection.

Condoms

Both male condoms and female condoms are available. A condom is the most effective form of protection against HIV and other STIs (Sexually transmitted infections).

HIV can be passed on before ejaculation through pre-cum and vaginal secretions, and from the anus.

It's very important condoms are put on before any sexual contact occurs between the penis, vagina, mouth or anus.

Lubricant

Lubricant, or lube, is often used to enhance sexual pleasure and safety by adding moisture to either the vagina or anus during sex.

Lubricant can make sex safer by reducing the risk of vaginal or anal tears caused by dryness or friction, and can also prevent a condom tearing.

Only water-based lubricant (such as K-Y Jelly) rather than an oil-based lubricant (such as Vaseline or massage and baby oil) should be used with condoms.

Oil-based lubricants weaken the latex in condoms and can cause them to break or tear.

Sharing needles and injecting equipment

If you inject drugs, this could expose you to HIV and other viruses found in blood, such as hepatitis C.

It's important not to share needles, syringes, injecting equipment such as spoons and swabs, or the actual drugs or liquids used to dilute them.

If you're having a tattoo or piercing, it's important that a clean, sterilised needle is always used.

HIV prevention medicine

If you're HIV negative, you may be able to take pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medicine to reduce your risk of getting the virus.

PrEP is available for some people who are at high risk of HIV infection – for example, those whose partner is HIV positive.

When To See A Doctor

Seek medical advice immediately if you think there's a chance you could have HIV.