LEARN ABOUT…

HIV

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that damages the cells in your immune system and weakens your ability to fight everyday infections and disease.

AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the name used to describe a number of potentially life-threatening infections and illnesses that happen when your immune system has been severely damaged by the HIV virus.

While AIDS cannot be transmitted from one person to another, the HIV virus can.

There's currently no cure for HIV, but there are very effective drug treatments that enable most people with the virus to live a long and healthy life. People on long-term anti-retroviral treatment for HIV will develop an undetectable viral load (HIV virus count is low enough to be undetectable via tests) at which point they will not be at risk of transmitting the virus to anybody else: Undetectable=Untransmissible.

With an early diagnosis and effective treatments, most people in the UK with HIV will not develop any AIDS-related illnesses and will live a near-normal lifespan.

If you believe you may have been exposed to HIV in the past 72 hours you can take PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) which prevents HIV infection.

If you are at risk of being exposed to HIV in the future you may be able to access PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis to protect yourself from HIV infection.

Symptoms

    • Flu-like symptoms including sore throat, high temperature, rashes 2-4 weeks after exposure to the virus

    • Many people experience no symptoms for a long time after infection.

    • Recurring fever including sweats/chills

    • Chronic diarrhoea

    • Swollen lymph glands

    • White spots or unusual lesions in the mouth

    • Fatigue and weakness

    • Weight loss

    • Skin rashes or bumps

QUESTIONS? LET’S CHAT.

Contact us for support or if you have any questions