What is HIV?
HIV is a virus. HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. When HIV enters the bloodstream it attacks the immune system. It destroys immune cells, called CD4 or T cells, and makes copies of itself within these cells. This replication process can gradually destroy more and more T cells. When too many T cells are destroyed, the body can’t fight infections and diseases, which can lead to AIDS .
What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS refers to a combination of serious infections or diseases which can develop when a person’s T cells (immune system) have been harmed by HIV and they can no longer fight off infections. Over time, untreated HIV can cause AIDS to develop.
In Australia, AIDS is rare. However, if you have HIV and don’t find out, or if you remain untreated for a long time, you may be diagnosed with AIDS. Some of the AIDS illnesses may be reversed with treatment.
How is HIV treated?
There is no cure for HIV. However, good medications are available to prevent the virus growing. Treatment is usually one or two pills a day, is well tolerated, and strengthens the immune system by keeping the virus at such low levels in the blood it is considered undetectable.
When HIV is undetectable, it is still there but it doesn’t damage the body as much. Studies have shown that when a person has undetectable HIV, known as undetectable viral load, HIV is not transmitted to sexual partners, even without condoms. You are not required by law to tell partners about your HIV, but you must use ‘reasonable precautions’ such as condoms or being on effective treatment. See halc.org.au for more information.
How is HIV transmitted?
HIV lives in body fluids, like blood, genital fluids and breast milk. When a person is not on HIV treatment, HIV can be passed from one person to another:
- During vaginal or anal sex without a condom
- During pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding
- When sharing needles
How is HIV not transmitted?
You cannot get HIV from sharing food, kissing and hugging, sharing a bed, mosquito bites or from using the same swimming pools, showers or toilets as someone with HIV.
HIV cannot survive for very long outside the body. If infected fluid has been exposed to the air for a while, it is unlikely that you could get HIV from it. For example, there are no known cases of people getting HIV from stepping on a used syringe or needle.
How can I prevent HIV infection?
Not everyone is aware they have HIV; in fact people who don’t know they have HIV are more likely to pass it on. .
You can avoid passing on or contracting HIV if the person with HIV is on effective treatment, or by using condoms when you have sex, by taking PrEP and not sharing injecting equipment.
Condoms are still recommended as the best protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. However, HIV treatment and maintaining a consistently undetectable viral load is just as effective as condoms at preventing the transmission of HIV.
Treatment reduces the amount of HIV in your body to undetectable levels, meaning sex is safer. Undetectable doesn’t mean the HIV has completely gone away – but it is in such small quantities that it will not be passed on to anyone else.
Many scientific studies have been done which show that no transmissions have taken place during sex where the HIV positive partner has an undetectable viral load, usually from being on effective HIV treatment.
PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis) can be taken before a potential exposure. A prophylaxis is something which prevents the spread of an infection or disease. People who do not have HIV can take a pill daily to prevent getting HIV.
Always use new needles and syringes. In NSW there is a needle and syringe program (NSP) that provides sterile injecting equipment for free. Most pharmacies will swap used syringes for new ones or sell sterile equipment for a small fee. An Australia-wide directory of NSP services is available on the AIVL website.
Can I get HIV through oral sex?
Oral sex with an HIV positive woman (licking or sucking the vagina or vagina lips) is very safe in terms of HIV transmission. There have been no reliable reports of transmitting HIV this way. Likewise there is no risk of an HIV positive woman transmitting HIV by sucking a man’s penis. Oral sex with an HIV positive man is low risk for HIV but can happen infrequently if the person with HIV is not on treatment. The risk is increased if there are cuts and ulcers, open sores or bleeding in the mouth but is still considered low risk. As with any type of sex, oral sex with an HIV positive person who is taking effective HIV treatment carries zero risk of transmission.
I think I’ve been exposed – what do I do?
If you think you have been exposed to HIV, you should ring the Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) Hotline on 1800 737 669 (1800 PEP NOW).
PEP is a special combination of HIV treatments that are given to people who may have been exposed to HIV. It can prevent seroconversion after exposure.
To be effective PEP must be started within 72 hours of exposure to HIV, and the sooner PEP is started, the more chance it has to work.
PEP is available at public Sexual Health Clinics or your Emergency Department.
**New PEP guidelines (2016) state that PEP is not recommended where the person with HIV has an undetectable viral load
Where can I be tested?
You can be tested for HIV by your GP or at any NSW Public Sexual Health Clinic. If you have any difficulty getting a HIV test ring Pozhet..You may also be eligible to do a test at home, known as a Dried Blood Spot (DBS) test. For more information see: Testing options. You can also ring the NSW Sexual HealthInfo Line on 1800 451 624 to discuss your options.
