HIV & AIDS

What is HIV?

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases over time if unmanaged. It is spread by being in contact with bodily fluids of a person with HIV - most commonly during unprotected sex or sharing injection drug equipment.

The human body can't get rid of HIV and no effective HIV cure exists. In other words, once you have HIV, you have it for life. Luckily, medication (like antiretroviral therapy or ART) is available that allow people living with HIV to have long and healthy lives. If taken as prescribed, ART and HIV medications reduce the amount of HIV in the blood (also called viral load) to a very low level - sometimes referred to as viral suppression. Eventually, they become "undetectable," This method is called U=U (Undetectable Equals Untransmissible), and is believed to be the best possible way to ending HIV by ending new HIV transmissions. Read more about HIV here.

History of HIV/AIDS

what's the difference between hiv and aids?

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the final and most severe stage of HIV if unmanaged, which occurs when the body's immune system is badly damaged because of the virus. In the United States, most people with HIV do NOT develop AIDS because taking HIV medicine as prescribed stops the progression of the disease.

HIV has three stages: acute, chronic infection, and AIDS.

The acute stage is the initial two to four weeks after exposure to HIV. Most people don't experience symptoms, and those that do mistakenly believe they have a cold due to the very flu-like symptoms stage one has like fever, fatigue, muscle aches, chills, and sore throat.
The second stage of HIV, chronic infection, is the longest stage while the virus slowly grows in the body by eliminating CD4 cells. HIV in this stage is often symptomless, and without medication, chronic infection HIV is transmittable and will develop into stage three without intervention.
The final and most severe stage of HIV known as AIDS develops roughly ten years after infection. The body's immune system is badly damaged, and without medication, people with AIDS typically survive about three years.

HOW IS HIV TRANSMITTED?

You can only get HIV be coming into contact with certain bodily fluids from a person with HIV who has a detectable viral load. These fluids are blood, semen (also known as cum), pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum), rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.

The most common ways HIV is spread in the United States are:

Having vaginal or anal sex with someone who has HIV without using a condom the right way every time or taking medicines to prevent/treat HIV. This is because you come into contact with fluids like semen, pre-seminal fluid, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and blood during sexual activity, which can carry the virus.
Sharing injection drug equipment, such as needles or syringes with someone who has HIV. This is because injection drug equipment may have blood in them, and blood can carry HIV.

Less common ways HIV is spread are:

Pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding from a person who has HIV. The use of HIV medicines in the United States has lowered the risk of perinatal transmission of HIV to less than 1%.
Exposure through a needlestack or sharps injury. Healthcare workers are at a higher risk of HIV due to being around needles and syringes that may possibly carry HIV - but the risk is very low.

Learn more here.

CAN I PREVENT HIV?

Yes! There are more tools than ever to prevent HIV. By learning methods to prevent HIV transmission, you're taking the first step to helping end the HIV epidemic.

PREVENTING SEXUAL TRANSMISSION

Choose sexual activities with little risk. There are many ways to have sex! Anal and vaginal intercourse carry a high risk of transmitting HIV, whereas oral sex and masturbation carry little to no risk.
Use condoms the right way every time you have sex. Condoms are 87% effective and prevent both sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and pregnancy - when used correctly. Always check the expiration date, keep an eye out for tears or holes, and keep your condoms stored in a cool, dry place away from sharp objects or direct sunlight. Use water-based or silicone-based lubricants to help prevent condoms from breaking or slipping during sex. Learn more about how to use condoms with Planned Parenthood.
Take PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis. PrEP is a medicine people at risk for HIV take regularly to prevent HIV. It can be taken as either a pill (Truvada or Descovy) or a shot (Apretude) and reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by 99% when taken as prescribed. People without HIV take PrEP to prevent getting HIV long-term, even they have partners with HIV or a condom breaks. PrEP does not prevent other STDs or pregnancy.
Take PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis. PEP is a medicine that people take after possible HIV exposure to prevent getting HIV. If taken within 72 hours of possible exposure to the virus, PEP is able to prevent you from getting HIV - which is why it is used in emergency situations like a condom breaking, sharing needles or drug equipment, or sexual assault. PEP is not a substitute for regular HIV prevention, and individuals who may be frequently exposed to HIV should consider PrEP. PEP does not prevent other STDs or pregnancy.
Get tested and treated for other STDs. Did you know that having any other STD makes you more likely to get HIV? Many people with an STD don't know they have one because of a lack of symptoms - which is why regular STD testing is important. Getting tested and treated for other STDs lowers your chances of getting HIV.
Encourage your partners to get tested and treated. Knowing your status is just as important as knowing your partners' statuses. Getting tested for HIV and other STDs can be scary, but remember that HIV is not a death sentence and is completely manageable - if your partners' result are positive for HIV, then knowing their status and getting treatment is the most important thing they can do to stay healthy. If your partners take HIV medication and gets and keeps an undetectable viral load, you will not get HIV from sex with your partners.
Consider if sex is for you. Not having sex (also known as being abstinent) is a 100% effective way to make sure you will not get HIV through sex. You can be abstinent at different times in your life for different reasons that may change over time, and not having sex also prevents other STDs and pregnancy.

PREVENTING DRUG TRANSMISSION

Never share needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment. Use new, clean syringes and injection equipment every time you inject. Many communities have syringe services programs (SSPs) where you can get new needles and safely dispose of used ones - like The Community Action Place, Inc. Find a SSP near you.
If you do share needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment, use bleach to clean them. A disinfected syringe is not as good as a new, sterile syringe, but it can greatly reduce your risk for HIV and viral hepatitis. Learn how to clean syringes with the CDC.
Don't have sex when you're high on drugs. While under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, you're more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors.
Take PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis. PrEP is a medicine people at risk for HIV take regularly to prevent HIV. It can be taken as either a pill (Truvada or Descovy) or a shot (Apretude) and reduces the risk of getting HIV from drug transmission by 74% when taken as prescribed. People without HIV take PrEP to prevent getting HIV long-term, even they have share needles with someone with HIV. PrEP does not prevent other STDs.
Take PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis. PEP is a medicine that people take after possible HIV exposure to prevent getting HIV. If taken within 72 hours of possible exposure to the virus, PEP is able to prevent you from getting HIV - which is why it is used in emergency situations like a condom breaking, sharing needles or drug equipment, or sexual assault. PEP is not a substitute for regular HIV prevention, and individuals who may be frequently exposed to HIV should consider PrEP. PEP does not prevent other STDs.
Decide not to inject drugs. This is the best way to prevent getting HIV through injection drug use. Talk with a counselor, doctor, or other health care provider about treatment for substance misuse. Visit SAMHSA to Find a Treatment Facility today.

PREVENTING PERINATAL TRANSMISSION

Get tested for HIV as soon as possible to know your status. Getting tested for HIV and other STDs can be scary, but remember that HIV is not a death sentence and is completely manageable. The earlier HIV is diagnosed and treated, the more effectively HIV medicine will prevent transmission to your baby.
Take medicine to prevent HIV if you do not have HIV but are at risk. If you have a partner with HIV and are considering getting pregnant, talk to your health care provider about PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). PrEP may be an option to help protect you and your baby from getting HIV while you try to get pregnant, during pregnancy, or while breastfeeding.
Take medicine to treat HIV. If you have HIV and take HIV medicine as prescribed throughout pregnancy and childbirth, have a suppressed viral load , and give HIV preventive medicine to your baby after giving birth, the chances of transmitting HIV to your baby are less than 1%. If your partner has HIV, encourage your partner to get and stay on treatment. This will prevent your partner from transmitting HIV to you. People with HIV who take HIV medicine as prescribed and get and keep an undetectable viral load will not transmit HIV to their sex partner.

Who is at risk for hiv?

Anyone can get HIV since HIV can affect anyone regardless of sexual orientation, gender, race, ethnicity, age, or where they live. However, certain groups of people in the United States are more likely to get HIV than others because of particular factors. Learn more about your individual risk for HIV with the CDC's HIV Risk Reduction Tool.

COMMUNITIES
The area you live can influence the likelihood of being exposed to HIV - when you live in a community where many people have HIV, the chance of being exposed to the virus is higher. The CDC maintains a database called Atlas Plus that shows the reported cases of HIV (and other sexually transmitted diseases) to help people visually see how prevalent HIV is in their community.

SUBPOPULATIONS
In the United States, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men are the most affected by HIV - the CDC reported that 68% of new HIV diagnoses in 2020 were among gay and bisexual men. Black and Latine Americans are disproportionally affected by HIV compared to other racial and ethnic groups, as well as transgender people who have sex with men. People who inject drugs remain at significant risk for getting HIV as well.

It should be noted that it is NOT one's identity itself that increases their risk of HIV. HIV can affect anyone regardless of sexual orientation, gender, race, ethnicity, age, etc. Certain subpopulations have a "higher risk" of HIV because of medical barriers or a lack of HIV education/awareness.

RISK BEHAVIORS
Within the United States, HIV is spread mainly through sex or sharing needles/syringes. Fortunately, there are more HIV prevention tools available today than ever before. These include using condoms correctly and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

How can I tell if I have hiv?

The only way to know for sure that you have HIV is to get tested. Despite what some may think, you can't "tell" if someone has HIV just by looking at them and most people with HIV don't experience major symptoms. In fact, 1 in 7 people with HIV don't even know they have it - which is why testing is so important. While it may be scary to get tested for HIV, HIV is not a death sentence - people living with HIV can have long, healthy lives just like people without HIV as long as they get connected with the tools and medications needed to keep their HIV managed.

Testing is relatively simple. Many medical clinics, substance misuse programs, community health centers, and hospitals offer HIV tests for free - including Rainbow Cafe LGBTQ Center. You can also ask your normal healthcare provider or doctor for an HIV test, too. If you test positive, you can be connected with HIV care to start treatment as soon as possible. If you test negative, you have the information you need to take steps to prevent getting HIV in the future. To find an HIV testing location near you, use the HIV Services Locator.

HIV self-testing is also an option. Self-testing allows people to take an HIV test and find out their status in their own home or other private location. You can purchase an HIV self-test kit at a pharmacy or online, and many health departments and community organizations offer self-tests for free or at a reduced cost. Use the HIV Testing and Care Services Locator to find organizations that offer HIV self-test kits near you. The CDC's Together TakeMeHome initiative offers free oral rapid HIV self-tests sent directly to your home, subject to availability.

There are many different types of HIV tests - some require saliva, a few drops of blood, or a blood draw. Read more about HIV tests here.

HIV CARE

What is HIV?

Should I get tested for HIV?

Want to know more?

HIV & AIDS Resources