Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

What is HIV?

HIV is now a treatable medical condition and the majority of those living with the virus remain fit and well on treatment. HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, which is the body’s defence against disease. If HIV is not detected and treated over time virus damages the immune system so badly that it can no longer fight infections and cancers, as it would usually do.  Most people who are infected with HIV have a long period when they look and feel quite well.  Many people do not even know they are infected.

What is AIDS? (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)

Somebody is said to have AIDS when their immune system is so weak that they develop certain serious illnesses.  This usually happens some years after becoming infected with HIV. AIDs can be prevented if the HIV infection is diagnosed and treated.

How can people become infected with AIDS?

HIV is present in vaginal fluids, semen, and blood and breast milk of infected people. Both men & women can get HIV.  HIV can be passed from one person to another when infected vaginal fluid, semen, blood or breast milk gets into anther person’s body.  A woman with HIV infection can also pass the virus on to her baby in the womb or during birth.

Most people who are infected with HIV become infected by having sexual intercourse (vaginal or anal) without a condom with someone who has HIV, or oral sex without a condom especially the person has bleeding gums or mouth ulcers.  You can get more than one sexually transmitted infection (STI) at the same time.
Some people become infected by injecting drugs, using needles and syringes that have been used by someone with HIV.

There is no cure for HIV, however you can get treatment for HIV and the illness it causes. With good medical care and advice women with HIV can give birth to healthy babies unaffected by HIV.

How do I protect myself against HIV?

Using a condom is the best way to protect yourself against HIV

The more sexual partners you have the more at risk you are from both HIV and other STIs

Can you tell if someone has HIV?

The answer is NO. HIV testing should be part of your sexual health check.

Benefits of having an HIV test

• Having an HIV test is the only way to know for sure whether you have HIV or not
• Knowing whether or not you have HIV means you can make informed decisions about your health and future
• If you have HIV but do not know, it will slowly damage your immune system
• If you have an HIV positive diagnosis, your health can be monitored and you can have treatment to keep you well
• If you are diagnosed with HIV early and are on treatment you can have a normal life expectancy
• If you have HIV but don’t know you have it, you could pass it on to your partner
• People with HIV can have healthy children if they know their HIV status

Fact: Approximately one third of all HIV infections in adults in the UK remain undiagnosed meaning people do not know they have the infection.

Confidential HIV tests (finger prick tests with results in one minute) are available at Lewisham contraception & sexual health clinics.

Click here to download (423kb) HIV leaflet