Sexual health
HIV and AIDS
Also known as: HIV infection, AIDS
HIV and AIDS condition guide: symptoms, causes, prevention, and when to seek care. Educational only — not a diagnosis.
Overview
HIV is a virus that attacks immune cells. Without treatment, it can progress over time to AIDS, when common infections become dangerous. Today, antiretroviral medicines help control the virus and lower the chance of passing it to others.
Symptoms
- Recurring fever
- Long-lasting cough
- Unexplained weight loss
- Severe fatigue
- Skin sores or rashes
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Persistent diarrhoea
Causes
HIV spreads through blood, condomless sex, from parent to child during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding, and shared injection equipment. It is not spread by hugging, sharing food utensils, or mosquito bites.
Treatment (general information)
Antiretroviral therapy is taken daily to keep the virus suppressed. Regular tests, nutrition advice, and care for other infections are part of treatment. Start care early at an HIV clinic after a positive test.
Prevention
Use condoms, test with partners, avoid sharing needles, and ask a clinic about PrEP or PEP when appropriate. Pregnant people with HIV should receive specialised care to protect the baby.
When to see a doctor
Get an HIV test after possible exposure or if you have recurring unexplained illness. Seek care quickly after blood contact or condomless sex with an unknown status.
Frequently asked questions
- Can someone with HIV live a normal life?
- Yes. With consistent antiretroviral therapy and follow-up, many people live long, healthy lives, and transmission risk can fall dramatically.
- Are HIV and AIDS the same?
- No. HIV is the virus; AIDS is a later stage when immunity is severely weakened. Treatment prevents that progression.