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HIV and AIDS
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus that damages the body’s defence (immune) system over time so that it is unable to fight off infections. If someone with HIV develops certain serious illnesses this condition is called AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency Syndrome).
At the moment there is no cure for HIV/AIDS so once someone is diagnosed as having HIV it will stay with them for life. However, the treatments for HIV are very good and continuously improving, so the outlook for people with HIV is very positive now.
How is it passed on?
HIV can be transmitted by having unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex or sharing sex toys with someone who has HIV. It can also pass from mother to baby during pregnancy or birth or via breast milk, and from blood-to-blood contact such as sharing needles.
The risk of contracting HIV from oral sex is much lower than through anal or vaginal sex, but it increases if you have cuts or ulcers in your mouth, brush your teeth just before or after, or if you have a mouth or throat infection.
You cannot get HIV from hugging, kissing, sharing baths or towels, toilet seats, or from sharing cups/plates.
You can help protect yourself from HIV by using condoms every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex. If you are unsure of how to use condoms, please ask to see a health adviser who will be happy to talk to you about it.
Signs and Symptoms
HIV signs and symptoms are vague and can be symptoms of many other illnesses and infections. Some people experience a flu-like illness a few weeks after infection, this can include swollen glands, a sore throat or mouth, coating on the tongue, aching joints and a fever. However, many people do not notice this, or mistake it for the flu. There then follows a long period of time (3-6 years or much longer) when you have the virus and may not notice any symptoms but are infectious to other people. The only real way of knowing if you have HIV is to have a blood test. It can take up to 3 months from sexual contact with someone with HIV for it to show up in a blood test, so you may be advised to attend for a retest if you have had a new sexual partner within the last 3 months – we sometimes call this 3 months the ‘window period’.
What happens if I have HIV?
HIV is a life-long condition. However, the earlier we find an infection the better, as we can start monitoring the condition, meaning that treatment can be given as soon as it is required. It also means we can advise how to prevent the infection from being passed onto other people (safe sex).
HIV treatments have progressed since the 1980’s when many people became very sick and died quickly following diagnosis. The treatments now have less side effects and prolong the life of someone with HIV. Many people will live a relatively normal life with HIV.
If you are found to have HIV from a blood test taken at Whittall Street
Clinic or our other community clinics, we will refer you to our specialist
HIV unit in Birmingham. Here, they will take blood tests to assess how
much the HIV virus has affected your immune system. From these results
the doctor will decide if treatment is needed. There is also support
available from Pharmacists, Dieticians, counsellors and Health advisers.
