Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that affects the body’s immune system and reduces its ability to fight infections.
Human immunodeficiency virus can be passed on:
- through unprotected vaginal or anal sex;
- by sharing needles or drug injecting equipment;
- from a mother to her baby if the mother is not on HIV treatment.
The most common way of getting HIV in the UK is through having anal or vaginal sex without a condom.
Antiretroviral medicines are used to treat HIV. Treatment reduces the level of HIV in the blood to ‘undetectable’ levels and there is clear evidence that someone who has undetectable HIV cannot pass on HIV through sex.
This is called ‘Undetectable = Untransmittable’, or ‘U= U’.
Raising awareness about HIV
Every year, World AIDS Day events take place to raise awareness and show support for people living with HIV. World AIDS Day falls on 1 December each year.
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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 that 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.
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Testing
Getting tested | Sexual Health NI (hscni.net)
Testing for HIV involves a simple blood test and can be done from home through online testing or by visiting your local clinic. It is important not to delay seeking advice and taking this test if you feel you have been at risk. The earlier the condition is diagnosed the more successful treatment is likely to be.
All pregnant women in Northern Ireland are now routinely tested antenatally for HIV.
I’m worried I have been exposed to HIV within the past 72 hours. What should I do?
You need to visit a GUM clinic or Emergency Department (ED) as soon as possible, where you may be able to access a course of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which is an anti-HIV medication. PEP is medication that can help prevent people from developing HIV if they’ve been exposed to it. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV | Sexual Health NI (hscni.net)
If you have had sex without a condom or with many partners, you may be at risk of other STIs. It is recommended that you go to a GUM clinic to get tested for all STIs, and for advice on how to reduce high-risk behaviours.
Both positive and negative HIV tests may need to be repeated 1 to 3 months after potential exposure to HIV infection (this is known as the window period), but you should not wait this long to seek help
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Treatment
If you test positive for HIV, you’ll be referred to specialist HIV clinic for some more tests and a discussion about your treatment options.
Antiretroviral medicines are used to treat HIV. They work by stopping the virus replicating in the body, allowing the immune system to repair itself and preventing further damage.
Format: Tablet
Dosage: Need to be taken every day
Treatment reduces the level of HIV in the blood to ‘undetectable’ levels and there is clear evidence that a person with undetectable HIV cannot pass on HIV through sex.
This is called ‘Undetectable = Untransmittable’, or ‘U= U’.
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Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV
If you think you have been exposed to HIV, anti-HIV medication called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may stop you from getting HIV.
More information on post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV
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Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a prevention method taken by someone who does not have HIV to prevent them getting HIV.
Information about PrEP can be found here pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV