HIV and AIDS

HIV is a virus that affects the immune system. It is transmitted through body fluids. Treatments are available for HIV, but there is no vaccine and no cure. AIDS is a late stage of HIV infection.

Last updated: 19 June 2008

What is HIV and AIDS?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The HIV virus damages the body's immune system which makes it more difficult to fight off infections. Someone who is diagnosed with HIV is called HIV positive (this can be written as HIV+). Untreated, HIV eventually develops into AIDS, but this can take many, many years.
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is a syndrome comprised of a number of infections which only develop in people who have very weak immune systems which can occur in the late stage of HIV infection. Drug treatments can help to delay the development of AIDS.

What are the symptoms of HIV and AIDS?

In most cases, people who have HIV are not aware of it for a long time. This is because the symptoms can be very mild, and they can seem like other illnesses. If symptoms are noticed, they usually occur 2 to 6 weeks after infection and disappear quickly. Symptoms may include a flu-like fever, swollen glands or a rash on the body.
Even if someone with HIV has no symptoms, they still carry the virus and can pass it on through blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk.
When a person's immune system is weakened, initial symptoms may include a loss of appetite, diarrhoea, weight loss, fever and extreme tiredness, they are at risk of developing an AIDS-defining condition. AIDS defining conditions are illnesses that are common in the community where they live, but which they can no longer fight off because their immune system is so damaged. These illnesses are not a threat to people with strong immune systems, but they are extremely serious to someone with advanced HIV and may be fatal.

How is it spread?

HIV can only be passed on by an infected person's blood, semen, vaginal fluid or breast milk.

HIV is transmitted by:
• vaginal sex or anal sex without a condom (this is known as unprotected sex or unsafe sex)
• sharing drug injecting equipment
• an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth or breast-feeding

HIV is rarely transmitted by:
• vaginal sex or anal sex when condoms are used correctly
• oral sex without a condom (though ejaculation could increase the risk)
• accidental splashes of infected blood or other body fluids on the face or skin
• needlestick or sharps injuries (for example, an accidental cut from sharp medical equipment that has contaminated blood on it)

HIV is not transmitted by:
• kissing or cuddling
• day-to-day social contact such as shaking hands
• sharing cutlery, cups or glasses
• eating food prepared by someone with HIV
• toilet seats
• mosquitoes or other animal bites

Who is at risk?

In Australia, the people who are most at risk of becoming infected with HIV are:
• men who have unprotected sex with men
• people who have unprotected sex with someone from a country where HIV/AIDS is widespread
• injecting drug users
Mother-to-child transmission is very rare in Australia.

How is it prevented?

Always use a condom during vaginal and anal sex to protect against HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. It is also best to use a water-based lubricant, especially for anal sex, because sex without lubricants can cause the condom to tear. Do not use oil-based lubricants (like petroleum jelly or baby oil) because they damage condoms.
You will not be protected from infection if you have unprotected sex and pull out before ejaculation. Fluid leaks from the penis during sex (pre-cum) and can transmit HIV as well as causing pregnancy.
If you inject drugs, do not share any injecting equipment. Try to make sure the equipment you use is sterile. You can get sterile needles and syringes from pharmacies and your local needle and syringe program. These are free, anonymous and confidential services.

How is it diagnosed?

HIV is diagnosed by a blood test. The most common test is an antibody test which shows if antibodies have developed in response to the HIV virus. The antibodies can take up to 3 months to develop which means you have to wait for 3 months before testing after a risk episode to be sure of the results. This waiting time is called the window period.
If you believe you have been exposed to HIV within the last 72 hours, you may want to consider taking Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). PEP is a combination of drugs taken for one month. Experts believe these drugs reduce the risk of infection following exposure to HIV by preventing virus particles in the blood stream entering cells of the body.
PEP needs to be started as soon as possible after exposure, so you need to act quickly. Find out about PEP from your local doctor, the nearest hospital emergency department or by calling the PEP Information Line on 1800 737 669.

How is it treated?

There is no cure for HIV or AIDS, and no vaccine to prevent infection, but there have been very important advances in the treatment of HIV and AIDS.
The best known treatment is a combination of anti-HIV medicines known as antiretroviral drugs. These drugs have a range of side effects, from mild to severe. They also have to be taken very strictly to be effective (taken in the right combination and at the right time each day).
Anti-HIV treatments are not a cure, but they do help most people with HIV to stay as healthy as possible and to delay the development of AIDS.

What is the public health response?

If you have been diagnosed with HIV it is important to tell your sexual partner(s) so they can be tested and treated, and so they do not infect others. Your doctor or sexual health clinic can help you decide who may be at risk and help you to contact them. If you wish, this can be done anonymously.

During the window period and while you are waiting for your results, it is important to continue safe sex and safe injecting practices.

If your test result is positive, you must tell all potential sex partners of your diagnosis before having sex, even when you use a condom.

HIV/AIDS is a notifiable disease. This means that doctors and laboratory staff are legally required to tell the Department of Public Health about new cases (for HIV/AIDS only statistics are passed on, not names or addresses). The data is used for public health planning.

Further Information

Sexual Health Information Line (02) 9382 7440 or freecall 1800 451 624 (outside Sydney).
Further information on the treatment of HIV can be found at the AIDS Council of NSW (ACON), freecall 1800 063 060.
Multilingual information on HIV/AIDS is available from the Multicultural HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C Service, phone (02) 9515 5030 or freecall 1800 108 098 (outside Sydney).

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