WHERE ARE WE WITH HIV?
There were an estimated 39 million people living with HIV at the end of 2022.1b
Africa remains most severely affected, accounting for more than two-thirds of all people living with HIV worldwide.1c
WHAT IS HIV / AIDS?
HIV | human immunodeficiency virus
HIV destroys the ability of the body’s immune cells to function and so over time, people gradually become immunodeficient (unable to fight off infection).1d
AIDS | acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
When HIV is left untreated, it leads to the disease AIDS – this is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. A person with AIDS is more susceptible to developing a wide range of infections, certain cancers and other severe long-term clinical complications.
HOW DOES HIV CAUSE DISEASE?
HIV uses the CD4 cells to multiple and spread throughout the body. HIV can also ‘hide out’ inside these cells for years forming a ‘latent’ HIV reservoir. At any time, cells in the latent reservoir can become active again and start making more HIV.3b,c
The virus at work:
HOW DO YOU GET HIV?
HIV is spread through the exchange of body fluids from infected people, such as blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal secretions. HIV can also be transmitted from a mother to her child during pregnancy and birth.1i
HIV is not transmitted through ordinary day-to-day contact such as kissing, hugging, shaking hands, or sharing personal objects, food or water, sharing a toilet, or contact with urine.1i
DID YOU KNOW?
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
The progression of HIV infection is generally understood in terms of three main phases:
- Acute HIV Infection: This is the initial stage, occurring shortly after infection, where the virus replicates rapidly and there may be flu-like symptoms.
- Chronic HIV Infection (Clinical Latency): This stage can last for many years if HIV is well controlled with antiretroviral therapy (ART). During this phase, the virus is still active but reproduces at low levels. People may not have symptoms or may experience mild symptoms.
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS): This is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. AIDS is diagnosed based on specific criteria such as a very low CD4 cell count (below 200 cells/mm³) or the presence of opportunistic infections or cancers that indicate severe immune suppression.
WHO IS AT RISK OF CONTRACTING HIV?
- Having unprotected anal or vaginal sex
- Having another sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as syphilis, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhoea or changes of the vaginal environment resulting in vaginal candidiasis (thrush) or bacterial vaginosis
- Sharing contaminated needles, syringes when injecting drugs
- Receiving unsafe injections, blood transfusions and medical procedures that involve unsterile cutting or piercing
- Accidental needle stick injuries, which can involve health workers
- Don’t share razors, toothbrushes and other personal items that may come in contact with another person’s blood
- Ensure that all tattoo and body piercing instruments are sterile before use.
HOW DO YOU FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE HIV?
There are normally two tests that can be done to diagnose and confirm HIV infection.5a HIV testing services is the main entry point to continued HIV care.5b HIV testing can usually be accessed from outpatient clinics, medical, surgical and paediatric wards, emergency units, and maternal/child health clinic services.5c Counselling can be provided before and after you are tested for HIV.5d
You can also buy an HIV testing kit at your nearest pharmacy and self-test at home.3i If you’re positive, it is important to get to your doctor or local clinic as soon as possible.5e
It is important to know your own HIV status so that necessary prevention and/or treatment can be started.5f,g For more information on prevention of HIV infection (pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure prophylaxis): read here.
For any questions and support, The National AIDS Helpline contact details are 0800 012 322.5h
WHAT IS THE ‘WINDOW PERIOD’?
When a person is infected with HIV, the body may take up to 28 days to produce antibodies in high enough levels to be detected by a test. This is called the window period. It is during this time that a person can unknowingly transmit HIV to other individuals who are for example their sexual or drug-sharing partner.1l
BLOOD TESTS
All people with HIV should have regular blood tests. The two most important blood tests are for CD4 count and viral load.6a
VIRAL LOAD AND VIRAL SUPPRESSION
Antiretroviral medicines suppress the amount of virus in the blood, called viral load:7a
What is viral suppression? When antiretroviral therapy reduces a person’s viral load to an undetectable level. Viral suppression does not mean a person is cured, HIV still remains in the body. If treatment is stopped, the person’s viral load will start to increase again.7b,c
MEDICATIONS
HIV treatment involves taking medicine that reduces the amount of HIV in your body. HIV medicine is called antiretroviral therapy (ART).10a
It is important to know that:
- There is no effective cure for HIV. But with proper medical care, you can manage HIV.10b
- Taking HIV medicine does not prevent transmission of other sexually transmitted diseases.10b
HIV medicine is recommended for all people with HIV – children, adolescents, adults, pregnant and breastfeeding women – regardless of how long they’ve had the virus or how healthy they are.5i,10c
WHAT IS THE GOAL OF TREATMENT?
The main goal of ART is to reduce a persons viral load to an undetectable level and restore or preserve immune function which will lead to a reduction in risk of illness and death.8a,b,9a
Patients should be prepared for lifelong ART with good adherence to medications – this is a critical component of achieving effective viral suppression.8c,d
HOW DO THEY WORK?
For more on how these medicines work and specific treatment regimens for people with HIV, you can read further here – HIV treatment for Adults.
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