HIV infection and AIDS

What are HIV and AIDS?

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the immune system and, if left untreated, causes serious illness and even death. HIV destroys the CD4 white blood cells known as ‘helper T cells’, which coordinate immune response by activating other immune cells to fight infections.

If HIV is left untreated, the immune system becomes severely damaged, resulting in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). People living with HIV are diagnosed with AIDS if they acquire one or more specific diseases or their CD4 cell count falls below a set cutoff.

Within the first weeks after getting HIV, some people experience fever, tiredness, sore throat, rash, muscle and joint pain, and headache, while others may not experience any symptoms. After this initial phase, the person can remain symptom free for 1–10 years, allowing the infection to go unnoticed for a long time.

If left untreated, HIV will progressively weaken the immune system and cause increasingly severe symptoms. Eventually, people will become susceptible to severe and life-threatening infections and cancers.

Anyone can acquire HIV. However, the likelihood of exposure is higher among certain populations. These include gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men; sex workers; people who inject drugs; transgender people; and people in prison settings.

The most common way that a person acquires HIV is by having anal or vaginal sex with someone who has detectable levels of the virus without using protection (such as condoms or medicine to treat or prevent HIV). HIV can also spread through sharing needles or syringes with someone who has the virus or by receiving contaminated injections, blood transfusions or transplantations. Babies born to a person living with HIV can also get the virus during pregnancy, childbirth or through breastfeeding.

There is no cure for HIV, but effective medical treatment enables people living with HIV to live long and healthy lives. Treatment also reduces the amount of virus that is present in a person’s blood and bodily fluids, which is essential for preventing transmission to others. Starting treatment as early as possible and consistently receiving treatment is key to staying healthy.

Safe sexual practices, including consistent condom use;
Medication to prevent HIV infection, for those at higher risk of exposure;
HIV testing for people who do not know their HIV status;
Prompt treatment after HIV diagnosis;
Harm reduction programmes for people who inject drugs, including needle exchange programmes and opioid substitution treatment;
Proper hygiene and sterilisation procedures in healthcare facilities, as well as tattoo, piercing, and acupuncture centres;
Blood safety strategies, to prevent transmission from contaminated substances of human origin.