HIV

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is most commonly passed on through unprotected sex. It can also be transmitted by coming into contact with infected blood, for example, sharing needles to injection drugs or steroids.

Symptoms

The HIV virus weakens the immune system and makes it less able to fight infections and disease. AIDS is the final stage of the HIV infection if left untreated and is when your body can no longer fight life-threatening infections.
Most people experience symptoms 2-6 weeks after infection which can last for a week or two.

After these symptoms go away, HIV may not cause any other symptoms so people are unaware that they carry the virus.

HIV can be
passed on
through:

• Having anal or vaginal sex without a condom.
• Sharing needles, syringes or other injecting equipment.
• Transmission from mother to baby during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding.

HIV is found in the body fluids of an infected person. This includes semen, vaginal and anal fluids, blood and breast milk.

HIV is a fragile virus and does not survive outside the body for long.
It cannot be transmitted through sweat, urine or saliva.

Getting checked
for HIV

The only way to find out if you have HIV is to get tested. This can often be through a simple blood test or saliva swab to check for any signs of the infection.

It’s important to know that an early diagnosis hugely improves the chance of controlling the virus, and greatly reduced the risk of you becoming unwell or passing on the virus to others.

Home testing kit information: postal testing can be requested online at https://lincolnshiresexualhealth.nhs.uk or Telephone 01522 309309

You will be directed to a trusted website regarding Sexual Health services.

Treatment

There is currently no cure for HIV but there is PrEP.

Although there is no cure, there are very effective Antiretroviral drugs that enable most people with the virus to live a long and healthy life.

If you think there is a chance that you may have been exposed to HIV, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medicine may stop you becoming infected and must be taken within 72 hours of being in contact with the virus.

You can to talk to your GP, school nurse or pastoral officer if you cannot access the sexual health service or go into a pharmacy for advice.

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