HIV/AIDS
What is HIV?
HIV is a virus that damages white blood cells, which are part of the immune system in the body. The immune system is what our body uses to protect itself from diseases. HIV makes it more difficult for our body to fight off diseases because of the damaged immune system.
What is AIDS? How is it related to HIV?
HIV will develop into AIDS over time as the immune system gets more damaged and more white blood cells are lost. AIDS is a later stage of HIV.
Can you get AIDS without first having HIV?
No! AIDS always develops from HIV.
What are the symptoms of HIV?
HIV symptoms may include flu symptoms such as sore throat, fever, or headaches 1-4 weeks after infection. You should get tested for HIV frequently if you think you may have been exposed, but especially if you are experiencing these symptoms! You may not have any more symptoms until the HIV virus develops into AIDS.
What are the symptoms of AIDS?
People with AIDS have very damaged immune systems, so they have high risk for many diseases because the body has a limited ability to protect itself and fight off sickness.
How can you get infected with HIV?
You can ONLY get infected by HIV by having specific body fluids enter into your blood. These fluids are blood, semen, vaginal fluid, rectal fluid, and breast milk. HIV is primarily transferred through unprotected vaginal or anal sex, sharing blood or needles, or from a mother to their child. Getting HIV from other sources is very rare. For example, you cannot get HIV from hugging someone with HIV, kissing someone with HIV as long as you don’t have an open mouth sore, sweat, saliva, or sharing a toilet with someone with HIV. Also, people with HIV can take treatments to become unable to pass HIV to someone else.
Does HIV only infect LGBTQ+ people?
No! Anyone can get HIV.
How can I decrease my risk of getting HIV? What is PrEP
First, you can use a condom during sex. You can also take PrEP. PrEP is a drug that is 99% effective at preventing HIV infection from sex when used properly. PrEP comes as both pills or shots.
I think I may have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, what should I do?
Reach out to a doctor immediately! You can start taking the medicine PEP which can prevent you from getting HIV.
I have HIV. Is there a cure or any medicines to treat it?
Currently, there isn't a cure for HIV. However, ART (antiretroviral therapy) is an incredible medicine to treat HIV. ART decreases the amount of virus in your blood which greatly slows down the development of HIV to AIDS. When the amount of virus is reduced to a level called "undetectable", you can't transfer the virus to anyone else. You should get tested for HIV frequently and see a doctor immediately if you think you might have HIV so you can start on ART as soon as possible.
I have HIV. Can I still live a long and healthy life?
Yes! With modern medicine, HIV patients can live a long healthy life with a life expectancy similar to someone who doesn't have HIV.
How can I learn more about HIV/AIDS?
There are many incredible resources to learn more about HIV, I have linked some here:
https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/index.html
https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/hiv-and-aids-basics
How can I access HIV/AIDS treatment?
You can use https://locator.hiv.gov/ to find locations to get medical care for HIV/AIDS, including mental health treatment.
The Ryan White foundation is an incredible foundation that gives funding for HIV/AIDS treatment to those who may not be able to afford it: https://findhivcare.hrsa.gov/.
There are also state HIV/AIDS hotlines where you can call and ask questions and find resources to get the care you need: https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/hiv-care/hotlines