HIV
Also known as Human immunodeficiency virus
This article is general health information for the selected condition. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace clinical judgement. If you have questions or need treatment advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
What is hiv?
HIV attacks CD4 immune cells, gradually weakening the ability to fight infection. Modern treatment has transformed it into a manageable long term condition: people diagnosed early and treated effectively have a near normal life expectancy. Someone on treatment with an undetectable viral load cannot pass HIV on through sex.
Causes
- Human immunodeficiency virus
- Unprotected sexual contact
- Sharing needles or injecting equipment
- Mother to child during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding
- Contaminated blood products, now very rare where screening exists
Symptoms
- A flu like illness two to six weeks after infection
- Fever, sore throat and rash in early infection
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Often no symptoms for years afterwards
- Recurrent infections as immunity declines
- Unexplained weight loss and night sweats in advanced disease
- Persistent diarrhoea or thrush
Risk factors
- Unprotected sex with a partner of unknown status
- Multiple sexual partners
- Injecting drug use
- Another sexually transmitted infection
- Occupational needlestick exposure
- Being born to a mother with untreated HIV
Diagnosis
- Fourth generation blood test for antibodies and p24 antigen
- Rapid point of care and home testing kits
- Confirmatory testing after a reactive result
- CD4 count and viral load to guide treatment
- Testing for other sexually transmitted infections
- Repeat testing after the window period if exposure was recent
Treatment
- Antiretroviral therapy, usually a single daily combination tablet
- Treatment started as soon as diagnosis is made
- Regular viral load and CD4 monitoring
- Pre exposure prophylaxis for people at ongoing risk
- Post exposure prophylaxis started within 72 hours of exposure
- Treatment in pregnancy, which prevents transmission to the baby
Self care
- Take antiretroviral medication every day without missing doses
- Attend regular monitoring appointments
- Keep vaccinations up to date, avoiding live vaccines if advised
- Tell any prescriber about your treatment, since interactions are common
- Look after cardiovascular and bone health
- Use condoms to prevent other infections
- Seek support, since stigma affects mental health more than the virus does
When to see a doctor
Book an appointment if:
- After any possible exposure, ideally within 72 hours
- A flu like illness after a recent risk
- Recurrent or unusual infections
- Before starting any new medicine, including over the counter
- Planning pregnancy
- For routine testing, which is recommended for everyone at least once
Some symptoms need emergency care rather than an appointment. See the warning signs listed above.
Prevention
- Condoms for sexual contact
- Pre exposure prophylaxis for those at ongoing risk
- Post exposure prophylaxis within 72 hours of exposure
- Never share needles or injecting equipment
- Antiretroviral treatment in pregnancy
- Regular testing so infection is found and treated early
Outlook
With early diagnosis and consistent treatment, life expectancy is close to that of the general population and the immune system recovers. Sustained undetectable viral load means the virus cannot be transmitted sexually. Outcomes are worse where diagnosis is late and the immune system is already damaged, which is the main argument for routine testing.
Common questions
What does undetectable equals untransmittable mean?
Someone on effective treatment with a sustained undetectable viral load cannot pass HIV to a sexual partner. This is well established and has changed how HIV is understood, though it takes around six months of treatment to reach and requires ongoing adherence.
Is HIV the same as AIDS?
No. HIV is the virus. AIDS describes advanced damage to the immune system when specific serious infections or cancers develop. With modern treatment, most people with HIV never progress to AIDS.
How soon after exposure can I test?
Modern combined tests detect most infections by four weeks, but a negative result is only conclusive at 45 to 90 days depending on the test. If exposure was within 72 hours, seek emergency prophylaxis rather than waiting to test.
References
Important: Dard AI is not a medical device and does not diagnose, treat, or replace clinician judgement. This article is general information only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about diagnosis and treatment, and seek emergency care for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms.