HIV 1 – What is HIV?

HIV continues to be a major global public health issue.^1a

There were an estimated 38 million people living with HIV at the end of 2019.^1b

Africa remains most severely affected, accounting for more than two-thirds of all people living with HIV worldwide.^1c

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.

HIV attacks and destroys the CD4 cells of the immune system. CD4 cells are a type of white blood cell that play a major role in protecting the body from infection. The loss of CD4 cells makes it difficult for the body to fight off infections and certain cancers.^3a,b

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

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, sharing a toilet, urine, food or water.¹ⁱ

People living with HIV who are on HIV treatment and who are virally suppressed do not transmit HIV to their sexual partners.^1j

The symptoms of HIV depend on the stage of infection.^1f,4a-d

Certain behaviours can increase people’s risk of getting HIV. These include:^1k

There are normally 2 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 will 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

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

All people with HIV should have regular blood tests. The two most important blood tests are for CD4 count and viral load.^6a

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

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

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

People on ART take a combination of HIV medicines from at least two different HIV drug classes every day. Different classes of HIV medicines are designed to target specific steps in the HIV life cycle –  ART is therefore very effective at preventing HIV from multiplying.^3j

For more on how these medicines work and specific treatment regimens for people with HIV, you can read further here – HIV treatment for Adults.