H.I.V. (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
Type of infection
Viral infection
Known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), it affects the immune system and without
treatment can destroy the immune system over time.
A weak immune system leaves someone open to other infections or diseases which could
be fatal.
Symptoms
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Around 2 weeks after infection someone may experience flu-like systems, swollen
glands and/or a rash over the body. These are caused by the body trying to fight
the infection.
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Some people don’t experience any symptoms at all.
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There is a 3 month window period from first infection before a blood test at your
local sexual health clinic will detect HIV.
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There are some finger pricks tests (sometimes known as the rapid test or 60
second test) that check for antibodies in blood that the body produce in the
fight against the virus which can detect whether someone has come into
contact with the virus but not whether someone is infected with the virus.
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The virus will continue to attack the immune system, using it to make copies
of itself until the body is unable to protect itself any more.
Cause
​
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Sharing sex toys without using a condom each time or washing
them between partners
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Unprotected sex, be it vaginal, anal or oral, with an infected person
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Skin to skin contact
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Remember…..they may not know that they have it because they haven’t
had any symptoms.
Treatment
There is no cure for HIV; it can be effectively controlled by antiretroviral medication. Once a person is on medication
they are on it for life.
A person living with HIV will be asked to attend regular blood tests for a reading of their viral load (the amount of the virus in the blood) and CD4 count (that’s the number of immune system cells in the blood).
An undetectable viral load means that it is very unlikely that that person will pass the virus on to somebody else because there isn’t enough of the virus for transmission to occur.
Remember…..once diagnosed with HIV you have it for life but it can be suppressed with medication.