Oak Valley Health’s patient education pages share the skills, knowledge, and habits patients and families need to know to cope with a daily health issue. We hope this information can influence patient behaviour to improve health outcomes and provide you with a sense of control and autonomy.
Learn more about the risks, causes, and treatment of HIV infection and AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system and destroys important cells that fight off infections and diseases. HIV is a manageable chronic condition. However, if left untreated, an HIV infection can progress to its last and most severe phase: acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). People with AIDS have badly damaged immune systems and are likely to get other infections or serious illnesses.
HIV is found in the blood and body fluids of infected people and can be spread from person to person through unprotected oral, anal, and vaginal sex and/or by sharing HIV-contaminated needles or syringes. HIV can also spread from an infected mother to the baby during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. HIV is not spread by every form of social contact, such as hugging and shaking hands.
Those at an increased risk for HIV/AIDS include:
Injection drug users
Infants born to an infected mother
People that participate in unprotected sexual intercourse with a partner experiencing sexually transmitted disease
Practicing safer sex by using condoms.
Getting tested and asking your partner to get tested before engaging in sexual activities.
Treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious.
Some people with an HIV infection do not develop any symptoms and can still spread the disease to others. However, the majority of people living with HIV develop mild symptoms that may appear within two to four weeks after being infected with HIV. Symptoms may include:
Chills
Fever
Muscle aches and joint pain
Headache
Sore throat
Swollen lymph nodes
Fatigue
Stomach aches
Skin rash
Night sweats
Health care providers can determine if you have HIV by assessing your symptoms and ordering a blood test and/or an HIV antibody test. A positive test result means that you have been infected with HIV and that you can spread it to other people. Some tests may not detect the virus during the first few weeks of an HIV infection; however, you can still spread the virus to others during this infectious stage.
Symptoms of HIV can last from a few days to several weeks and may go away on their own. However, the virus remains in your body for life.
Although there is no cure for HIV/AIDS, there are highly effective treatments available to manage HIV infections. Your health care provider may prescribe antiretroviral medications as part of antiretroviral therapy (ART).
These medications can:
Lower the level of HIV in your body.
Slow and prevent the progression of disease.
Help the immune system fight off other infections and diseases.
Improve the health and quality of life for people living with HIV.
Prevent HIV transmission.
Significant weight loss
A rash with peeling skin and blisters inside your mouth
Abdominal pain
A persistent headache
High fever and chills (temperature equal to or greater than 38◦C)
Extreme fatigue
Muscle pain or joint pain
Mental and behavioral confusion
Vomiting or diarrhea that does not improve
Trouble swallowing
Swelling around your eyes or eye redness
Shortness of breath
Vision changes, such as decreased or blurred vision
