HIV and AIDS

HIV treatments keep the immune system working, allowing people to lead long, healthy lives, and preventing people living with HIV from getting AIDS illnesses. Treatment can also reduce the amount of HIV in the body to an undetectable level. When HIV is undetectable, it cannot be passed on through sex. This is known as Undetectable = Untransmissible (U=U).

Many people with HIV do not notice symptoms when they first get the virus. Some people develop flu-like symptoms within a few weeks of infection, such as: 

• Fever 

• Sore Throat 

• Rash 

• Swollen Lymph Nodes 

• Headache 

• Muscle and joint aches 

• Fatigue (feeling tired) 

If HIV is not treated for many years, people may get symptoms of AIDS including: 

• Severe weight loss 

• Extreme tiredness 

• Persistent fever or night sweats 

• Chronic diarrhoea 

• Frequent or unusual infections 

• Persistent cough or shortness of breath 

• Skin rashes or sores 

• Swollen lymph nodes 

• Memory problems or difficulty concentrating 

HIV can be passed from one person to another through certain body fluids that contain the virus, including blood, semen, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, and breast milk. HIV can spread through: 

• Unprotected sex (vaginal or anal sex) with someone who has HIV 

• Sharing needles, syringes, or other injecting equipment 

• Pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding, when HIV is passed from a mother to their baby 

• Tattooing, body piercing, cosmetic procedures, or medical procedures that use equipment that has not been properly sterilised (cleaned) 

There are a lot of rumours around how HIV is spread, so let’s set some of those straight, HIV is NOT spread through: 

• Hugging, shaking hands, or holding hands 

• Sharing food, drinks, or eating utensils 

• Coughing or sneezing 

• Using the same toilet, swimming pool, or shower 

• Mosquito or insect bites 

• Saliva, tears, or sweat 

People living with HIV who take effective treatment and maintain an undetectable viral load cannot pass HIV on through sex. This is known as “Undetectable = Untransmissable (U=U)”. 

You can reduce your risk of getting HIV by: 

An HIV test is the only way to know if a person has HIV. Testing is quick, safe and confidential. 

HIV tests are done using a blood sample, this may be collected from a finger prick or from a vein in the arm. Some tests can provide results within minutes, while others are sent to a laboratory and results are available within a few days. 

There are also HIV self-test kits available, which allow people to collect their own finger prick blood sample and perform the test themselves. Find out more about HIV self-test kits on the MyTest website here. 

Because it can take some time after infection for HIV to be detected in a test, a healthcare professional may recommend repeat testing if there has been a recent risk of exposure. 

Early testing is important because people with HIV can access effective treatment, stay healthy, and prevent passing the virus on to others.

• Any doctor’s office (GP) or medical centre 

• A sexual health clinic 

• University health clinics 

• MyTest Vending Machines – visit the MyTest website to find your nearest vending machine location 

HIV is treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART), a combination of medicines that stop the virus from multiplying in the body. ART does not cure HIV, but it can reduce the amount of virus in the blood to very low levels, allowing the immune system to stay strong and healthy. People who start treatment early and take their medication as prescribed can live long, healthy lives. Effective treatment can also reduce the virus to an undetectable level, which means HIV cannot be passed on through sex. 

Being diagnosed with HIV can bring up a whole range of feelings and everyone’s experience is different. Whatever you’re feeling, it’s important to know that HIV treatment is highly effective, people living with HIV can live long and healthy lives, and support is available. 

If you have been diagnosed with HIV and would like information or support, speak with your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional. You can also talk confidentially with a sexual health nurse through Nurse Nettie or contact the Sexual Health Infolink by calling 1800 451 624 (free call). 

There are also organisations that provide information, support and peer connection for people living with HIV, their partners and families, including: 

• Positive Life a peer-led organisation supporting people living with HIV 

• ACON which offers HIV information, health promotion and support services 

• Pozhet which provides information and support for heterosexual people living with HIV and their partners and families 

• Bobby Goldsmith Foundation which provides practical, emotional and financial support to people living with HIV 

You do not have to navigate an HIV diagnosis on your own. Support, treatment and information are available to help you stay healthy and connected.