Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infections

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections can cause a range of health problems in people, even if they don't develop AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, making it difficult for the body to fight off infections and certain types of cancer. HIV is spread primarily through contact with infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluids.

There is no cure for HIV, but taking antiretroviral medication can help delay the onset of AIDS and reduce the chance of transmitting the virus to other people. Early diagnosis and treatment of HIV is extremely important for limiting the spread of the virus and managing HIV-related health problems.

Symptoms of HIV

Many people who have HIV do not experience any signs or symptoms for months to years after being infected. In some cases, the virus may not cause any symptoms until the person has AIDS, which is the late stage of HIV infection. Common early symptoms of HIV include:

Fever
Fatigue
Swollen lymph nodes
Muscle aches and joint pain
Rash
Sore throat
Mouth or genital ulcers
Headache
Night sweats
Unexplained weight loss

As HIV progresses, more severe signs and symptoms may occur, including those related to AIDS. People with AIDS may experience:

Chronic diarrhea
Cough and shortness of breath
Memory loss and confusion
Difficulty walking
Severe and unexplained fatigue
Vision problems
Weight loss
Severe yeast infections

Diagnosis

Your doctor may suspect HIV if you have any of the above symptoms or if you’ve been exposed to the HIV virus. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor will order a blood test to look for antibodies to the virus. If the test is positive, then it’s likely that you have HIV. A positive test doesn’t necessarily mean that you have AIDS. That’s determined with the help of other tests, including a CD4 count and a viral load test.

Treatment

HIV is a chronic, incurable condition. However, with proper treatment, people with HIV can lead normal, healthy lives. Treatment often consists of a combination of antiretroviral medications, called antiretroviral therapy (ART). The goal of ART is to reduce the amount of HIV in your body to undetectable levels, as well as to strengthen your immune system.

If you’re pregnant, your doctor can also help you take steps to prevent passing the virus to your baby during childbirth.

Prevention

The most effective way to protect yourself from HIV infection is to practice safer sex, which means to use condoms, limit your number of sexual partners, and practice abstinence. Other preventive measures to consider include:

Get tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections before engaging in unprotected sex.
Only use clean needles if you use drugs intravenously.
Don’t share toothbrushes, razors, or other items that may be contaminated with blood.