HIV
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is an illness that affects your immune system. In 2024, there were over 3,000 new HIV diagnoses in England. It is estimated that 113,500 people in the UK are living with HIV.
There is a simple test for HIV and effective treatment to manage it.
To order a test, please click here.
There is a simple test for HIV and effective treatment to manage it.
To order a test, please click here.
What is it and how do I get it?
HIV is a virus that attacks your immune system. That means that you can't fight off infections like you normally would.
You can pass it through:
It is less likely, but possible, that you can pass it through:
Pregnant people with a detectable viral load can also pass HIV to the baby during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. This is very rare in the UK.
You can NOT pass it by:
You can pass it through:
- Vaginal Sex
- Anal Sex
- Sharing Injection Drug Equipment
It is less likely, but possible, that you can pass it through:
- Oral Sex - if you have bleeding gums or ulcers in your mouth
- Sharing Sex Toys
Pregnant people with a detectable viral load can also pass HIV to the baby during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. This is very rare in the UK.
You can NOT pass it by:
- Kissing / Hugging
- Spitting / Sneezing
- Swimming in a Pool
- Using a Public Loo
- Sharing Towels / Cups / Plates / Cutlery
What's the difference between HIV and AIDS?
HIV refers to the virus. People can pass HIV to one another during unprotected sex.
AIDS is a broad term referring to a number of life-threatening infections and illnesses. When HIV severely weakens your immune system, you are more likely to develop these. People cannot pass AIDS to one another.
Early testing and treatment of HIV prevents it from becoming AIDS.
AIDS is no longer a common term in the UK. Medical professionals now mostly use the term Late Stage HIV.
AIDS is a broad term referring to a number of life-threatening infections and illnesses. When HIV severely weakens your immune system, you are more likely to develop these. People cannot pass AIDS to one another.
Early testing and treatment of HIV prevents it from becoming AIDS.
AIDS is no longer a common term in the UK. Medical professionals now mostly use the term Late Stage HIV.
How can I prevent it?
You can lower the risk of HIV spreading by using condoms correctly.
For more details on using condoms, please see our Safer Sex page.
You can also stop the spread of HIV by using PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis). You take this before you come into contact with HIV. It is an ongoing, protective treatment.
If you think you have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, seek medical help as soon as possible. PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) can lower your risk of catching the virus within this period.
For more details on using condoms, please see our Safer Sex page.
You can also stop the spread of HIV by using PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis). You take this before you come into contact with HIV. It is an ongoing, protective treatment.
If you think you have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, seek medical help as soon as possible. PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) can lower your risk of catching the virus within this period.
What might I notice?
Many people who have HIV have no symptoms. That's why it's important to test regularly if you are sexually active.
Most people get symptoms when they first catch HIV. These are called seroconversion symptoms. They appear up to six weeks after exposure.
You might notice flu-like symptoms, such as:
These symptoms last one or two weeks. After this period, most people have no symptoms for years. But HIV is still weakening the immune system. People without symptoms are also still able to pass HIV on to their partners.
Living with untreated HIV will eventually mean you get more symptoms. These aren't symptoms of HIV. They are symptoms of life-threatening infections and cancers you cannot fight off. Find out more in the What If I Don't Get Treatment section below.
If you are concerned, always seek medical help.
Most people get symptoms when they first catch HIV. These are called seroconversion symptoms. They appear up to six weeks after exposure.
You might notice flu-like symptoms, such as:
- Diarrhoea
- A rash
- A fever
- Muscle aches / pains
- A sore throat
- Tiredness
- Swollen glands
These symptoms last one or two weeks. After this period, most people have no symptoms for years. But HIV is still weakening the immune system. People without symptoms are also still able to pass HIV on to their partners.
Living with untreated HIV will eventually mean you get more symptoms. These aren't symptoms of HIV. They are symptoms of life-threatening infections and cancers you cannot fight off. Find out more in the What If I Don't Get Treatment section below.
If you are concerned, always seek medical help.
How do I get a test?
There are reliable tests for HIV. They are quick, free, and easy to take.
We recommend that everyone who is sexually active knows their HIV status. You should test at the start and end of every relationship. If you have multiple sexual partners, you should test every three to six months.
When you should test depends on which test you are taking.
Rapid Finger Prick Testing
This test involved pricking your finger to get a small amount of blood. It gives you results within half an hour. These results are not enough to diagnose HIV. If the test is reactive, you will need a lab test to confirm the result.
You will need to wait more than 90 days for this test to be accurate.
You can book an at home test here, or come and see us in clinic.
Lab Testing
This test involves one of our team taking a blood sample. This sample is then sent to a lab for testing.
You will need to wait more than 45 days for this test to be accurate.
If you are concerned, please get in touch.
We recommend that everyone who is sexually active knows their HIV status. You should test at the start and end of every relationship. If you have multiple sexual partners, you should test every three to six months.
When you should test depends on which test you are taking.
Rapid Finger Prick Testing
This test involved pricking your finger to get a small amount of blood. It gives you results within half an hour. These results are not enough to diagnose HIV. If the test is reactive, you will need a lab test to confirm the result.
You will need to wait more than 90 days for this test to be accurate.
You can book an at home test here, or come and see us in clinic.
Lab Testing
This test involves one of our team taking a blood sample. This sample is then sent to a lab for testing.
You will need to wait more than 45 days for this test to be accurate.
If you are concerned, please get in touch.
How do I get treatment?
HIV is now treatable. We treat it using drugs called antiretrovirals. Most people take these as pills, but you might be offered injections.
This treatment is NOT a cure. It does lower your viral load. Most people on effective treatment are healthy and have a normal lifespan.
Once you are on effective treatment, your viral load will become undetectable. After six months of being undetectable, you can't pass on HIV.
If you test positive, we will refer you to the specialist team at James Cook University Hospital. They will help you with treatment and ongoing support.
This treatment is NOT a cure. It does lower your viral load. Most people on effective treatment are healthy and have a normal lifespan.
Once you are on effective treatment, your viral load will become undetectable. After six months of being undetectable, you can't pass on HIV.
If you test positive, we will refer you to the specialist team at James Cook University Hospital. They will help you with treatment and ongoing support.
Do I need a follow up after treatment?
HIV cannot be cured. You will need to remain on treatment for the rest of your life.
What if I don't get treatment?
HIV weakens the immune system. In late stage HIV, also known as AIDS, you can get various symptoms. These aren't symptoms of HIV. They are symptoms of life-threatening infections and cancers you cannot fight off.
Although it is not possible to list all of these symptoms, you might experience:
If you do not get treatment for HIV, it can cause death.
Although it is not possible to list all of these symptoms, you might experience:
- Weight Loss
- Lasting Diarrhoea
- Night Sweats
- Returning Infections
- Thrush in your Mouth
If you do not get treatment for HIV, it can cause death.
Should I tell my partners?
We know that an HIV diagnosis can be very scary. You might be overwhelmed. It is important to tell people you have had unprotected sex with. This is because it is easy to pass HIV between partners.
If you aren't sure, we can help you figure out who to contact. If you prefer, we can reach out on your behalf. We do this through a system called contact tracing.
If you're having protected sex, you don't have to share your HIV status. But you might want to talk to your partners about it. This is even more important if you're planning on a long-term relationship.
To learn more about telling your partners, check out the Terrence Higgins Trust website.
If you aren't sure, we can help you figure out who to contact. If you prefer, we can reach out on your behalf. We do this through a system called contact tracing.
If you're having protected sex, you don't have to share your HIV status. But you might want to talk to your partners about it. This is even more important if you're planning on a long-term relationship.
To learn more about telling your partners, check out the Terrence Higgins Trust website.
Find out more about HIV on the NHS Website.