What Is HIV?
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system, specifically the cells that help the body fight off infections. As a result, a person with HIV becomes more vulnerable to illnesses and infections. HIV is primarily spread through contact with certain body fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, and breast milk. The most common ways it spreads are through unprotected sex or sharing needles with someone who has HIV
If left untreated, HIV can progress to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), the most advanced stage of HIV infection.
There is currently no cure for HIV, but it can be controlled with antiretroviral therapy (ART). People who take HIV medicine as prescribed can live long, healthy lives and reduce the virus to undetectable levels in their blood—meaning they cannot transmit HIV to others through sex.
Symptoms of HIV
Many people with HIV may not show symptoms for years. However, some experience flu-like symptoms 2 to 4 weeks after infection. These early signs can include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Rash
- Night sweats
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Mouth ulcers
These symptoms can last for a few days or weeks and are often mistaken for a common viral infection. This stage is known as acute HIV infection.
As HIV progresses without treatment, the immune system becomes more damaged. Later symptoms may include:
- Rapid weight loss
- Recurring fever or profuse night sweats
- Extreme and unexplained tiredness
- Prolonged swelling of the lymph glands
- Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week
- Sores of the mouth, anus, or genitals
- Pneumonia
- Memory loss, depression, and other neurologic disorders
What Is AIDS?
AIDS is the final and most severe phase of HIV infection. It happens when the immune system is severely damaged and can no longer defend the body against certain life-threatening infections and cancers. A person is diagnosed with AIDS when their CD4 cell count drops below 200 cells/mm³, or they develop one or more opportunistic infections (e.g., tuberculosis, certain types of pneumonia, and rare cancers).
Symptoms of AIDS may include:
- Persistent fever
- Frequent infections
- Chronic diarrhea
- Severe weight loss
- Skin rashes or lesions
- Persistent cough and breathing problems
- Neurological disorders
Without treatment, people with AIDS typically survive about three years. However, with proper HIV medicine, many people with AIDS can recover their immune function and live longer, healthier lives.
How Do I Know If I Have HIV?
The only way to know your HIV status is by getting tested. Testing is simple and accessible at health clinics, hospitals, and community centers. You can also purchase HIV self-test kits from pharmacies or online, providing results in as little as 20 minutes.
Early diagnosis allows for timely treatment, which can greatly improve health outcomes and prevent transmission to others. If you test positive, you can start HIV treatment immediately. If you test negative, you can explore prevention options such as PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis).
To find a nearby testing center or get a free self-test kit, visit the HIV Services Locator.
Remember: HIV is manageable with the right care. Get tested, know your status, and take control of your health.
