Explainer

HIV

Real talk

HIV is a blood-borne virus (BBV) that affects the immune system. While it is a lifelong condition, people living with HIV who are on effective treatment can lead long, healthy, and fulfilling lives. With consistent treatment, they cannot pass HIV on to others.

Myth-busting

Myth: “HIV is AIDS.”
Fact: HIV and AIDS are not the same thing. This is a common misconception. It takes about eight to 10 years for untreated HIV to develop into AIDS.

Myth: “HIV only affects queer men.”
Fact: Nope. HIV doesn’t discriminate – anyone can get it.

Myth: “If I take PrEP to prevent HIV, I don’t need to use other barriers during sex.”
Fact: Wrong. While PrEP is a highly effective way to reduce your risk of HIV, it doesn’t protect against other STIs.

What is HIV?

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a blood-borne virus that damages the immune system. It gradually destroys cells called CD4 cells, which usually help the body stay healthy by fighting off disease.

If HIV is left untreated, it usually develops into severe immune deficiency within eight to 10 years. At this point, the body is no longer able to fight infection or stop cancer from developing. This late stage of HIV infection is called acquired immunodeficiency virus syndrome (AIDS).

Although there’s no cure or vaccine for HIV, there are effective treatments currently available that allow people living with HIV to stay healthy while also suppressing the virus so much that it won’t be passed to others. This is referred to as having an undetectable viral load (UVL). Check out our article on UVL for more information.

How do you get HIV?

HIV can be passed through blood, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, semen and breast milk. This often happens:

during vaginal or anal sex with a penis
when sharing injecting equipment
during any sex that involves blood play
during chestfeeding
during birth – from parent to baby – if the pregnant person has a detectable viral load.

HIV is unlikely to be passed through oral sex or fingering/fisting, unless there is a wound in the mouth or on the hands where the virus can enter the blood stream.

HIV isn’t passed through other body fluids like saliva or sweat.

Remember: HIV is not contagious from a person with HIV on treatment who has undetectable viral load (UVL). If the virus is undetectable, it’s untransmittable. This is known as U=U.

What are the symptoms of HIV?

HIV often doesn’t have immediate symptoms. However, flu-like symptoms may start within 2-4 weeks of exposure to the virus. This is called seroconversion illness, which can last a few days to several weeks.

Common early symptoms include:

fever
swollen glands
sore throat
aches and pains
rashes
fatigue

After seroconversion illness people may not have symptoms for many years, but the virus remains in the body. It is also possible to go through seroconversion without experiencing any symptoms at all.

How is HIV prevented?

There are now lots of ways to prevent HIV transmission, so choosing a prevention strategy that suits you and your personal circumstance is crucial. You can reduce your risk of HIV by:

talking to your sexual partner/s about HIV and prevention strategies
getting regular sexual health checks
using condoms on a penis for vaginal sex and anal sex
using dams or gloves for oral sex or fingering if anyone has wounds on their mouth, hands or genitals
using gloves and sterile sharps if your sex involves blood play
avoiding tattoos or piercings outside of professional environments
not sharing injecting equipment
using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) if you’re at high risk of being in contact with HIV

If you think you may have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, consider taking post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) immediately.

Where can I get PEP?

PEP is available at most sexual health clinics, hospital accident and emergency departments and some doctors who specialise in HIV.

For more info about PEP and to find locations to access PEP in your area, visit GetPEP.

You can read more about PrEP and PEP medications in our section on STI and BBV prevention.

How do you test for HIV?

HIV testing is easy, confidential, often free, and accessible in many different ways.

Testing for HIV can be done at a sexual health clinic, with any doctor, at a specialist clinic or even at home with a HIV self-testing kit.

To test for HIV, a blood sample is needed, which can be collected as part of your routine STI screening or as a service on its own.

Find a testing site near you here.

After exposure to HIV, it can take up to three months for HIV to show up on a test. This is called the window period. If you’re concerned about your HIV risk, you can test right away.

However, it’s important to re-test after the window period to ensure an accurate test.

If you’ve been recently diagnosed with HIV, visit our sibling site Ending HIV for support services and resources.

Want to learn more about HIV and sexual health testing? Check out our STI testing guide.

How do you get treated for HIV?

While there isn’t a cure for HIV, Australia’s high-quality HIV care and health system mean you can live a long and healthy life with HIV.

HIV treatments are known as antiretroviral therapy (ART). These treatments prevent the virus from multiplying in the body.

Most people on treatment can achieve an undetectable viral load (UVL), which stops the HIV progressing to AIDS and means that you can’t transmit HIV to others. Most importantly, people living with HIV who are on effective treatment have a similar life expectancy to their peers without HIV.

HIV treatment often involves taking one tablet a day. HIV treatment is usually free for people who have Medicare in Australia. It is also free for most people without a Medicare card at public hospital pharmacies. This includes people on student, travel, or temporary work visas.

Some states and territories (South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory) may charge a small co-payment fee (from $15 to $31.60 per month). Many states also provide delivery services if you do not live near a public hospital pharmacy.

Find information for your state or territory here.

If you’re diagnosed with HIV, your healthcare providers should offer treatment immediately. Starting HIV treatment early, and staying on it consistently, helps protect your long-term health. Telling your sexual partner/s you’ve been diagnosed with HIV is important so they can get tested and treated, but you don’t need to do it without support!

You can access free HIV peer support from trained community members also living with HIV who can guide and connect you with HIV services and support. Contact NAPWHA on 1800 259 666 to speak to a HIV peer support worker in confidence.

Check out our partner notification section for more information on navigating this part of the process.

When to see a healthcare professional

A healthcare professional can recommend the tests that are right for your body and your sexual practices. They can provide treatment straight away if you need it, check for any complications, and talk with you about re-testing or letting partners know. Regular checks are a simple way to look after yourself, your partners and your community.

See a healthcare provider if: