HIV
Patient education
- Testing is the way to know
- Effective treatment protects health
- Recent exposure is time-sensitive
What it is
A virus that weakens the immune system over years. With treatment, people live a normal lifespan and cannot pass it on to a partner. Untreated, it becomes dangerous.
When to seek urgent care
There is difficulty breathing, a persistent high fever, confusion, or you have had a possible exposure in the last three days - preventive treatment after exposure only works if it is started quickly.
How it shows
Often nothing for a long time. Later: losing weight, fevers that come and go, diarrhoea that persists, infections that keep returning. None of this is specific, which is why testing rather than watching is the answer.
What to do
Take a test. It is quick, it is confidential, and knowing is the only thing that changes the outcome. If it is positive, treatment starts straight away and works.
Ask an HIV service about confidential testing, treatment access and current national programme costs or eligibility.
Testing without stigma
Someone can live with HIV for years without obvious symptoms. HIV is not spread by sharing food, toilets, hugs or everyday contact. A test, not appearance or assumptions about a partner, is how infection is checked.
A test soon after exposure may be negative before infection becomes detectable. Ask whether and when to repeat it. A reactive screening or self-test needs confirmation through the testing service.
Treatment, relationships and prevention
Antiretroviral treatment suppresses the virus and allows people to live long, healthy lives. A person who takes effective treatment and maintains an undetectable viral load does not transmit HIV through sex (U=U). This requires treatment and monitoring; it is not a cure or protection against other STIs.
After a possible exposure, seek assessment for PEP immediately and within 72 hours; do not wait for a test to become positive. Ask about PrEP for ongoing exposure risk. Condoms and sterile injection equipment reduce risk. During pregnancy or breastfeeding, get an individual treatment and infant-feeding plan.
Sources
- HIV and AIDS · Public sector health information · OGL v3.0
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.