HIV fact sheet

What is HIV?

HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, affects the immune system. The virus is spread through body fluids and gradually destroys the body's white blood cells, which usually help the body stay healthy and fight off infections.

Although there is currently no vaccine or cure, HIV is a manageable chronic condition. With effective treatment, people living with HIV can lead long and healthy lives.

Effective HIV treatment reduces the virus to very low levels so it cannot be detected on a viral load test. This means that the virus is undete​ctable in the body. If the virus is undetectable, it cannot be transmitted to your sexual partners as long as you consistently take your HIV treatment. This is known as Undetectable = Untransmittable, or U=U.

​​How does HIV spread?

HIV is spread by:

• ​having unprotected anal or vaginal sex (without a condom or dental dam)
  
• sharing drug injecting equipment (needles, syringes and other injecting equipment)
• from mother to baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding, if the mother has a detectable viral load
• sharps injuries especially in healthcare workers.

HIV is not spread through activities such as kissing, sharing cups and cutlery, normal social contact, toilet seats or mosquitoes. ​

What are the symptoms of HIV?

​Approximately 70% of people who get HIV will have symptoms. Early symptoms usually start at about 2 weeks after exposure. This is called seroconversion illness.

Common early symptoms include:

• fever
  
• rash
• swollen glands
• sore throat
• fatigue
• sore muscle and joints
• diarrhoea.
  

After these early symptoms, people with HIV infection usually have no symptoms for many years; but, the virus remains in the body.

If left untreated, HIV can cause severe immune deficiencies, including infections and cancers. This late stage of HIV infection is called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Who is most at risk of HIV?

In Australia, people at the highest risk of getting HIV infection are:

• gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men
• transgender men and trans and gender diverse people who have sex with men
• people who inject drugs and share needles
• anyone who has recently been diagnosed with any STI
• people who report a history of incarceration
• people who have travelled to areas with high rates of HIV (like sub-Saharan Africa, South Sudan, Mauritius, the Americas, Eastern Europe, or Thailand) and have engaged in risky behaviour, especially unprotected sex with someone whose HIV status is unknown.
• people from countries where HIV is common, such as refugees who have recently arrived in Australia, asylum-seekers and people who have arrived as humanitarian entrants or other refugee-like circumstances
• people who have had tattoos or other piercings overseas using unsterile equipment
• people who have had a blood transfusion in a country where the blood supply is not safe (blood and blood products are very safe in Australia).​
  

How do I protect myself from HIV?

HIV infection can be prevented by:

• always using condoms and a water-based lubricant for anal and vaginal sex
• never sharing needles, syringes, or other injecting equipment
• only getting tattoos or body piercings when sure that the equipment is sterile
• using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) if you are at high risk of getting HIV
• PrEP is a pill for people who are at high risk of getting HIV. It is highly effective at preventing HIV infection, but it does not stop you from getting other STIs. Talk to your healthcare provider or sexual health clinic about PrEP.
• using post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) if you have already had high risk contact with a person with HIV
• PEP are medications to prevent HIV from infecting a person after exposure. It is best to start PEP as soon as possible, ideally within 72 hours (3 days) of HIV exposure. You should continue taking it for 4 weeks after your exposure. For more information about PEP talk to your healthcare provider call the PEP hotline on 1800 737 669.
  
• Having a conv​ersation with your doctor and partner about U=U which means Undetectable=Untransmissible. This is where a person living with HIV who takes their HIV medication correctly can have their virus supressed, so their viral load (amount of virus they have) is undetectable. People who have an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus to their HIV-negative sexual partners.​

​How is HIV diagnosed?

HIV testing is recommended for anyone who thinks they might be at risk of infection. More frequent testing is recommended for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and transgender women and gender diverse people who have sex with men. 

There are 3 types of HIV tests that can be used for diagnosing HIV.

• Blood test: your healthcare provider can order a blood test for HIV. Blood is sent to a laboratory and results can take a few days.
• Rapid antibody test: This can be done by your healthcare provider, and it involves taking blood from a finger stick. Results are ready in 20 minutes or less.
• Self-test: This can be done at home or anywhere you feel comfortable using the same technique as a rapid antibody test. Results are ready in 20 minutes or less.
  

No HIV test can detect HIV immediately after infection. This is because of the window period, which is the time between HIV exposure and when a test can detect HIV in your body. The window period depends on the type of HIV test. Rapid and self-tests usually take a little longer than a laboratory test to pick up a recent infection. This means that your results could be negative while you have an active infection. You may need another test even after your negative result to know for sure whether you have HIV.

It is important to always use safe sex and safe injecting practices​ while waiting for the test results. Reduce your risk of future exposure and infection by continuing to use safe sex and injecting practices after receiving your result.

The Atomo HIV Self-Test is the only self-test approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia. It is important to only use HIV self-tests approved by the TGA, so you know that the test is accurate and safe to use. You can purchase Atomo self-tests online and at some pharmacies. 

All positive rapid and self-tests need to be confirmed with a blood test. If you have tested positive, contact your healthcare provider urgently for support and further testing to confirm the result. The NSW Sexual Health Infolink can provide advice and support by calling 1800 451 624.

Call hea​lthdirect​ (1800 022 222) to find a HIV testing se​​rvice near you.

​How is HIV treated?

There is no vaccine and no cure for HIV, however treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART) is highly effective at preventing damage to the immune system caused by HIV. ART stops the virus from reproducing and causing harm to the body.

Additionally, people living with HIV who take ART as prescribed can achieve an undetectable viral load which means you cannot spread the virus to sexual partners. People living with HIV infection who take daily treatment can lead a full and long life.

There are many ART treatment options for people living with HIV. Your doctor will discuss with you w​hich is the best option for you. ​

​What should I do if I test positive to HIV?

If you have tested positive to HIV, you should:

• ​​​book an appointment with your healthcare provider or local sexual health clinic to understand what the next steps are. Your healthcare provider might recommend further tests before starting you on treatment.
• speak with a counsellor or peer worker when you are first diagnosed as you may experience strong emotions
  
• think about any sexual partners you need to inform. Discuss with your doctor or nurse which sexual partners you think may be at risk. Your doctor or nurse can help you to contact them either personally or anonymously.
  
• if you are pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about starting ART to prevent the infection passing to the baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. Read more about HIV and pregnancy.​
  

​Further information 

• Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service​ for support and information about HIV and other blood-borne viruses to people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities by calling (02) 9515 1234 or 1800 108 098 (Free call - outside Sydney).
  
• ACON​​ for a range of health services and information for LGBTQ+ communities by calling 1800 063 060 (Free call).
• Sexual Health Infolink (SHIL)​​ for free and confidential sexual health help including a confidential help line available from Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm by calling 1800 451 624.
  
• Positive Life NSW​ 1800 245 677 (Free call) or email contact@positivelife.org.au is a peer-based organisation who offer a range of services and information for people living with HIV.
• Pozhet​ or information and support for heterosexual people living with or those at risk of HIV by calling 1800 812 404 (Free call) or emailing pozhet@pozhet.org.au.
• Bobby Goldsmith Foundation​ for client services and support programs for people living with HIV.
  
• NUAA​ a peer-based drug user organisation led by people with lived experience of drug use by calling (02) 9171 6650.
  
• Ending HIV​​ for people wanting to know more about HIV prevention, testing and treatment.
  
• Play Safe for young people to access information about safe sex and STI prevention, testing and treatment.
  
• Better to Know​ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to get information about HIV and STIs and where to get tested. The site also offers a way to tell sexual partners about their risk without them knowing who you are.
  
• International Student Health Hub​ for international students to get information about safe sex, STIs, contraception and pregnancy.
  
• Family Planning NSW Talkline for reproductive and sexual health information and advice. It is free, confidential and available Monday to Friday 8:00am-8:00pm on 1300 658 886.