HIV Basics

HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a virus that attacks a key part of the immune system – the T-cells or CD4 cells – which help defend the body against illness. Left untreated, HIV can destroy so many CD4 cells that the body can’t fight infections and diseases anymore. When that happens, HIV can lead to an AIDS diagnosis.

Not everyone who has HIV progresses to AIDS. A person with HIV who is on antiretroviral (ARV) medication and in ongoing medical care can live a normal, healthy lifespan and have children without HIV. In addition to improving health, ARVs also prevent the spread of the virus.

Click here for more about HIV treatment.

AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is a clinical diagnosis that indicates an advanced stage of HIV.

An AIDS diagnosis is determined when the number of healthy immune system cells (also known as one’s CD4 or T-cell count) drops to a low level or when someone with HIV develops certain illnesses, called opportunistic infections, which result from a weakened immune system. These may include Kaposi’s sarcoma, tuberculosis, lymphoma, pneumonia, and other cancers such as invasive cervical cancer. Someone with HIV may receive an AIDS diagnosis from a health care provider if they have one or more specific opportunistic infections, certain cancers, or a very low number of healthy immune system cells.

Once someone receives an AIDS diagnosis, it is not reversed – meaning that person will always be considered to have AIDS – but an individual’s condition can improve with proper treatment.

A person with HIV who is on antiretroviral (ARV) medication and in ongoing medical care can live a normal, healthy lifespan and have children without HIV. In addition to improving health, ARVs also prevent the spread of the virus.

Click here for more about HIV treatment.

The most common way people get HIV is through unprotected anal or vaginal sex with someone with HIV who is not aware of their status or not on antiretrovirals (ARVs), the medications used to treat HIV. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), HIV transmission through oral sex is extremely rare.

Sharing used needles, syringes, or other drug preparation equipment increases risk of getting HIV.

HIV can be passed from mother to child during pregnancy, birth and through breastfeeding, although this risk can be almost eliminated with treatment.

HIV is not spread through sharing glasses or plates, food, holding hands, toilet seats, or other casual contact.

You cannot get HIV through closed-mouth or “social” kissing or saliva.

CDC, HIV Basics, Transmission. August 2019.

As important as knowing how HIV is spread, is knowing how it is NOT. HIV is not spread by sharing glasses or plates, food, holding hands, toilet seats, or other casual contact.

You cannot get HIV through closed-mouth or “social” kissing or saliva.

CDC, HIV Basics, Transmission. August 2019.

As with many other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), HIV often shows NO symptoms initially.

The only way to know if you have HIV is to ask to be tested. Early diagnosis and treatment improves health and prevents the spread of the virus.

Click here for more about HIV testing.

There are more options than ever to prevent the spread of HIV, including:

• Condoms: When used consistently and correctly, condoms are highly effective in protecting against HIV, as well as many other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Condoms are also the only method of protection that prevents both pregnancy and disease. Like male condoms, female condoms are another barrier method of protection. Female condoms are inserted into the vagina. Click here to find out more about condoms.

• PrEP: This once a day pill is available by prescription for people who do not have HIV and want added protection. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV. Studies show it is more than 99 percent effective at preventing sexual transmission, and more than 74 percent effective from drug injection transmission. Click here to find out more about PrEP.

• Treatment as Prevention: In addition to improving health, antiretrovirals (ARVs), the prescription medications used to treat HIV, also prevent the spread of the virus to others by lowering the amount of virus in the body, often to levels undetectable by standard lab tests. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there is “effectively no risk” of sexual transmission to others when the viral load is undetectable. Click here to find out more about HIV treatment.

• Clean injection equipment: Needle-exchange programs in many cities offer free, clean syringes and provide a safe means of disposal of used ones. Only use syringes that come from a reliable source. Click here to find drug treatment programs near you.

No. There is no cure or vaccine for HIV, however there are highly effective treatments.

A person with HIV today who is on ongoing antiretroviral (ARV) medication and in medical care can live a normal, healthy lifespan. HIV treatment also can prevent passing HIV from mother to child.

ARVs work to lower the amount of virus in the body, often to levels that are undetectable by standard lab tests. In addition to improving health, getting and keeping a low viral load also prevents the spread of the virus to others.

To get the full health and preventive benefits of ARVs, it is important that an individual with HIV stays connected to medical care and takes their medications as prescribed, even if they do not feel sick.

Click here for more about HIV treatment.

One reason some groups and geographic areas have been more affected by HIV than others is because the HIV prevalence – the percent of the population that has HIV – is already high. In other words, the chances of coming in contact with the virus is greater.

A common misperception is that groups with higher rates of HIV are acting less responsibly. In fact, research shows that this is not the case. Groups more at-risk for HIV are generally found to get tested more frequently, use condoms more often, and take other precautions to protect against HIV as compared with other groups. The chance of being exposed to the virus is just greater in these social networks and so the response must also be greater.

Increased access to HIV treatment and care, along with earlier diagnosis, and use of PrEP has been shown to bring down rates of HIV even among areas with higher prevalence.

Choosing if and when to tell someone that you have HIV is a personal decision.

Having trusted friends and/or family who know your HIV status may help you manage your diagnosis.

Having this conversation may bring up a range of emotions. Some things you may want to consider when sharing this information:

• What kind of relationship do you have with this person?
• What are the possible consequences of telling them that you have HIV?
• Will telling them be a safe experience?
• What is that person’s attitude and knowledge about HIV?
• Is there information about HIV you can share that may be helpful?
• Are there particular issues this person might have that will affect the support they can offer?

If you don’t have someone in your life you feel you can share this information with – or want added support – check out a local support group. You can talk with other people living with HIV and also get help from experts. What’s most important is that you get the support and care you deserve!

It is best to share your status with your partner before becoming intimate. In some states, it is a legal requirement.

While many people living with HIV have loving intimate relationships, for some, disclosure can lead to violence. To minimize risk, consider telling them in a public space with others around but private enough to talk. Or, have them talk with a health care provider to answer any questions they may have. Learn more about the connection between HIV and intimate partner violence.

Don’t let HIV stand in the way of love. People with different HIV statuses can have healthy and safe intimate relationships. There are more options than ever to prevent the spread of HIV and keep both of you healthy.

When a friend or family member shares that they have HIV, it shows they trust you.

One of the best things you can do is listen without judgment and offer your love and support.

Allow them to guide the conversation and share the level of detail that is comfortable for them. Let them know you are here to provide whatever help they may need. Support them in getting into care and on treatment.

Some things to keep in mind if someone tells you they have HIV:

• HIV is not a death sentence. With ongoing treatment you can live a normal, healthy lifespan.
• In addition to keeping an individual healthy, treatment also prevents the spread of the virus.
• HIV is not spread through casual contact.
• It is possible to have healthy intimate relationships. There are more options than ever to prevent the spread of HIV and keep you both healthy.
• Keep it confidential. It is not your information to share and the consequences of doing so can be serious.
• Your support will help them be healthier.

Getting into and staying in care is critical to living well with HIV. Given the clear benefits, it’s recommended that people diagnosed with HIV start treatment as soon as possible.

You can show your support by offering to go with loved ones with HIV to appointments or to pick up their prescriptions. Keeping up with care and treatment is very important. If someone with HIV stops taking their medications, they can get very sick.

Click here to connect with HIV/AIDS treatment and care services in your area, including health clinics as well as support groups. These organizations can help with finding ongoing care and answering questions about health coverage.

Don’t have health coverage? The Affordable Care Act (ACA) made health insurance easier to get and more affordable for many people with HIV. Click here to find out more about the ACA for people with HIV. 

STDs are very common. In addition to HIV, there are dozens of other types of sexually transmitted diseases. Often there are no symptoms, at least not at first. Left untreated, STDs can cause serious health issues, including infertility, pain, and even death, in some cases. Also, having one STD can increase the risk of getting another.

The good news is all STDs, including HIV, are treatable, and many are curable.

While routine testing for many STDs is recommended, that does not mean it always happens as part of a regular checkup or gynecologist exam. To know for sure, ask to be tested.

Click here for more about specific STDs, including symptoms, testing and treatment.

When used consistently and correctly, latex condoms are highly effective in preventing the sexual transmission of HIV and many other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Condoms are also the only method of protection that prevents both pregnancy and disease.

Tips about condoms:

• Check the label of the condom before using it and don’t use it if it is past the labeled expiration date, or if it is over five years past the manufacture date.
• Use a new condom if the condom is ripped or looks dry, brittle, stiff, or sticky.
• Have extra condoms on hand in case one rips while being opened or put on, and in case you want to have sex again.
• Keep your condoms in a cool, dry place to prevent breakage or leakage. Don’t store condoms in a location that can get very hot, like in your car.
• If you keep a condom in your wallet or purse, replace it with a new one every few months.