What is HIV?

HIV is a virus. It affects your immune system.

Your immune system helps protect you from getting ill.

There is no cure for HIV. Once you have HIV, you have it for life. But HIV can be treated very well with medicine.

Treatment helps control the virus and keeps your immune system healthy. Most people take tablets every day.

If HIV is not treated, it can damage the immune system over time. This can cause serious illness. This is sometimes called advanced HIV or AIDS. At this stage, the body finds it harder to fight infections.

If HIV is found early and treated, most people stay healthy and live a long life.

 

How is HIV passed on?

HIV can be passed on through these body fluids:

  • Blood
  • Semen (including pre-cum)
  • Vaginal fluid
  • Anal fluid
  • Breast milk

HIV can be passed on through:

  • Vaginal or anal sex without a condom
  • Sharing sex toys
  • Sharing needles or injecting equipment
  • From mother to baby during pregnancy
  • Contact with infected blood
     

HIV is NOT passed on through:

  • Kissing, spitting, or saliva
  • Hugging, shaking hands, or touching
  • Sharing cups, plates, or cutlery
  • Insect bites
  • Scratches
 


No risk during sex:

There is no risk of HIV during sex when:

  • The person with HIV takes treatment and has an undetectable viral load (U=U). This means HIV cannot be passed on through sex.
  • The HIV-negative partner takes PrEP as prescribed.
 


Think you may have been exposed?

You can get PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis). PEP is medicine that can stop HIV if taken soon after exposure. It must be started quickly.

If we are closed, you can get PEP at any Accident and Emergency (A&E) department.

PrEP is medicine you take before sex to lower your risk of getting HIV.

 
 

Many people with HIV do not feel ill.

Some people get flu-like symptoms soon after infection. This is called seroconversion illness.

Symptoms may include:

  • Sore throat
  • Fever
  • Rash
  • Tiredness
  • Muscle aches
  • Swollen glands

HIV is found with a blood test.

You can get a test by:

You should attend a clinic or get a test straight away if you think you have been put at risk of HIV.
You should then test again at 6 weeks after an initial test.

If you test positive for HIV, it is important to start treatment quickly.

Treatment lowers the amount of virus in your body. When the virus is very low (undetectable), it cannot be passed on through sex (U=U).

HIV is treated with tablets for most people. Some people may have injections instead.

Our HIV team includes:

  • Doctors who treat sexual health and infections
  • A specialist HIV nurse

Being told you have HIV can be difficult. You will get support.

Your HIV nurse can:

  • Answer questions
  • Help with treatment
  • Arrange appointments
  • Support you in daily life

We are here to help you stay healthy and well. Over 100,000 people in the UK are living with HIV. You are not alone.

Call our HIV Specialist Nurse on 0344 728 0554

You can also get support from:

Your doctor will talk to you about who may need to know.

This may include sexual partners or people you have shared needles with.

If you are worried, we can help you tell them. We can also contact them for you, with your permission.

 

 

HIV and the law

Laws about HIV are different across the UK.

This information is only general. It is not legal advice.

England and Wales

In some cases, HIV transmission has been looked at under the law.

You might face legal action if ALL of the following apply:

  • You think you might be or know you are HIV positive.
  • You think you might have or know you have a detectable viral load.
  • You do not tell your sexual partner you have HIV and have sex without a condom.
  • Your sexual partner tests positive for HIV because of this.

This offence is often called Reckless Transmission.

Intentional Transmission only applies if there is proof that you gave the other person HIV on purpose.

 


Scotland

In Scotland, legal action can apply even if your sexual partner does not test positive. This means you can be prosecuted for both:

  • Passing on the HIV virus

AND

  • Putting someone at risk through sex without a condom.
 


If you need help, your HIV nurse or doctor can support you and guide you to legal advice if needed.

 
PrEP