HIV Basics

What is HIV and AIDS?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and is a virus that attacks the body’s natural defence against disease known as our ‘immune system’.

A person with HIV is described as ‘HIV positive’, meaning that they receive a ‘positive’ result from a blood test for HIV infection. This does not mean they have AIDS.

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) occurs as the result of a person’s immune system being severely damaged by HIV. Unless a person commences treatment, they will be vulnerable to infections and illnesses that their immune system would normally fight off.

Today, thanks to HIV medication (known as treatments) living with HIV is vastly different to what it meant to a person’s ongoing health and life expectancy when the epidemic first began. Today, a HIV positive person who is on effective treatment can live as long and as healthy a life as a person who does not have HIV. It also means they can’t pass on HIV to their sexual partners.

How is HIV passed on?

HIV can be passed on when body fluids carrying HIV (blood, semen, pre-ejaculatory fluid (pre-cum), vaginal fluids, anal fluids, and breast milk) pass from a person with HIV into the bloodstream of a person who does not have HIV. HIV can be passed on through vaginal (front-hole) sex, anal sex, sharing needles and other injecting equipment and breast feeding from parent to baby or through pregnancy.

The risk of HIV through oral sex is extremely low. There is the potential for increased risk if body fluids that can pass on HIV enter the mouth and there are cuts or ulcers in the mouth – this is still regarded as a very low risk.

You cannot get HIV from saliva, kissing and hugging, sharing cups or forks, toilet seats, towels, mosquitoes or sweat.

Signs and Symptoms

The process of becoming HIV positive is referred to as seroconversion. When this occurs, some people exhibit signs and symptoms known as a ‘seroconversion illness’. While they may be easy to overlook, signs may include a rash, fever, aching body, fatigue or a simple persistent flu-like illness.

Important

It is important to note that many people do not present with symptoms shortly after exposure to HIV. For this reason, it is crucial to test regularly in order to be aware of your HIV and sexual health status.