SexualHealth

What is HIV?

Human Immunodeficiency Virus attacks the body's immune system. In your blood you have special cells called CD4 cells - these are responsible for fighting infection. HIV destroys these cells. The body will keep trying to produce CD4 cells but eventually the numbers of CD4 cells will be so low the immune system will stop working. This will leave your body with little or no defence against infection or disease. It can then develop into AIDS (Acquired Immuno-deficency Syndrome).

How do you get it?

You can contract it through the exchange of bodily fluids such as semen or blood during unprotected sex including anal and oral. Infection can also be caused by sharing needles when injecting drugs, childbirth in an infected mother and previously by blood transfusions (now considered very rare in the UK). The incidence of this infection is increasing in the UK among both heterosexuals and homosexuals.

What are the symptoms?

Initially none, after 2-6 weeks there may be:

What can I do?

There are different tests depending on the length of time passed since you were exposed.

10 days post exposure - HIV pro-viral (certain situations only)

12 Weeks post exposure HIV 1&2 antibody test. The HIV infection is detectable in your blood after 12 weeks. (blood test)

14 weeks post exposure - HIV saliva test which we will post to you for next day delivery*. You then post this back to our lab. This test will show 'reactive' or 'negative'.

What if it's positive?

If it is positive we will give you information on your nearest specialist GUM clinic where you will need to go for a blood test. Our counsellors and GP's are on hand and you can message them through your secure patient file. If need be they will call for a chat.

There is no cure for HIV and it may be many years before one is found, however new drugs and treatments are being researched all the time and it is now more manageable than ever. You will be directed to a specialist clinic where they will ascertain if and when you need to start treatment.