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HIV
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Infections

HIV

HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, but with modern antiretroviral therapy, it can be managed as a chronic condition.

What is HIV?

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It harms the immune system by destroying white blood cells that help the body fight infections, leaving the individual at risk for other diseases.

What is AIDS?

AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is the final, most advanced stage of HIV infection, occurring when the immune system is severely damaged. It is important to note that not everyone with HIV develops AIDS.

Transmission

HIV is spread through specific body fluids from an infected person. Common transmission routes include:

  • Unprotected vaginal or anal sex (the most common method).
  • Sharing drug needles.
  • Contact with the blood of a person with HIV.
  • From mother to fetus during pregnancy.
  • From mother to baby during childbirth or breastfeeding.

Risk Factors

While anyone can contract HIV, certain groups face higher risks:

  • Individuals with other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
  • People who inject drugs using shared needles.
  • Gay and bisexual men.
  • Black/African Americans and Hispanic/Latino Americans, who represent a higher proportion of new diagnoses.
  • People who engage in risky sexual behaviors.

Social factors such as stigma, discrimination, income, education, and geographic region also influence risk levels.

Symptoms

The initial stage, known as acute HIV infection, may present with flu-like symptoms that appear two to four weeks after exposure and then subside. These include:

  • Fever and chills
  • Rash
  • Night sweats
  • Muscle aches
  • Sore throat and fatigue
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Mouth ulcers

Following this, the infection may enter a chronic stage where symptoms are often absent. If left untreated, the virus weakens the immune system, eventually progressing to AIDS. At this stage, the body becomes susceptible to opportunistic infections (OIs).

Diagnosis and Treatment

The only way to confirm an HIV infection is through a blood test, which can be performed by a healthcare provider or via a home testing kit. While there is no cure, antiretroviral therapy (ART) can manage the virus, allowing most people to live long, healthy lives. ART also reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to others.

Prevention

Risk reduction strategies include:

  • Regular testing for HIV and other STIs.
  • Limiting sexual partners and using latex or polyurethane condoms.
  • Avoiding the injection of drugs.
  • Consulting a provider about preventative medications:
    • PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis): A daily medicine for those at high risk of contracting HIV.
    • PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis): Emergency medicine that must be started within 72 hours of a potential exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Current medical evidence supports the concept of "Undetectable Equals Untransmittable" (U=U). If a person with HIV takes antiretroviral therapy consistently and maintains an undetectable viral load for at least six months, the risk of sexually transmitting the virus to an HIV-negative partner is effectively zero. This applies to vaginal, anal, and oral sex, provided the partner does not have other sexually transmitted infections that might compromise the mucosal barrier.
No, PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is designed exclusively for people who are HIV-negative to prevent infection. If you are already HIV-positive, taking PrEP alone is insufficient and can lead to drug resistance. People living with HIV require a full regimen of antiretroviral therapy (ART) to suppress the virus, manage the condition, and prevent transmission. It is critical to disclose your status to your healthcare provider to ensure you are on the correct therapeutic regimen.
HIV is the virus that infects the body, while AIDS is the most advanced stage of the disease, defined by a severely compromised immune system (a CD4 count below 200 cells/mm3) or the presence of specific opportunistic infections. With modern antiretroviral therapy, most people with HIV can maintain a healthy immune system and never progress to AIDS. Regular monitoring of CD4 counts and viral load is essential to ensure the treatment is working and to prevent progression.
The CDC recommends that sexually active individuals, particularly those with new or multiple partners, get tested for HIV at least once a year, and every three to six months if they have higher-risk behaviors. The most accurate and widely used tests are the 4th-generation antigen/antibody tests, which can detect both HIV antibodies and the p24 antigen. These tests have a window period of approximately two to four weeks, meaning they are most reliable if taken after this period following potential exposure.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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