HIV

HIV is a virus. When someone becomes infected with HIV the virus weakens and damages their body's defence system (the immune system) so that it cannot fight off infections. HIV can be passed from one person to another through sexual contact. Both men and women can have HIV and can pass it on. You don't have to have lots of sexual partners to get HIV or to pass it on. HIV can be passed on through oral, vaginal and anal sex whether you are straight, gay or bisexual.

You cannot get HIV by hugging, kissing, sneezes, coughs, sharing towels, from swimming pools, toilet seats or sharing cups, plates or cutlery. You cannot get HIV from any animals including mosquitos.

Signs and symptoms – what to look out for

Many people infected with HIV have no signs and symptoms at all. You can only be certain you have HIV if you have a test. If you think you may have been at risk it is important you don't delay seeking advice and getting a test, even if you don't have any symptoms.

The tests for HIV

An HIV test checks you blood for antibodies to HIV. When HIV enters your body, your immune system tries to fight off the infection by producing antibodies to the virus. It can take between 3 weeks and 3 months after you have been infected with HIV for there to be enough antibodies in your blood to show up on an HIV test.

The HIV test involves taking a sample of blood and looking for HIV antibodies.

There are a number of services you can go to for a test, see Local Clinics for details. Tests are confidential and free of charge.

Diagnosis and treatment

At the moment there is no cure for HIV, but there are drugs, know as anti-retroviral treatment or combination therapy, that reduce the levels of HIV in the blood and prevent or delay the development of late stage HIV. Most people benefit from these treatments and live longer and have better health than if they had not taken them.

What next?

• Your own GP.
• Your local NHS GUM/Sexual Health Clinic – you will get free confidential advice and treatment here.