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HIV and AIDS

HIV - Common Questions Answered

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HIV reduces the immunity of the human body and progresses to AIDS without treatment. Early testing, prevention, and timely care are essential.

Written byDr. Sneha Kannan

Medically reviewed byDr. Jyotisterna Mittal

Published At March 27, 2019
Reviewed AtMarch 6, 2026

What Are HIV and AIDS?

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the causative agent of HIV infection. There are primarily two varieties, HIV-1 and HIV-2, both of which are categorized as retroviruses and have multiple subtypes. HIV can only replicate within human cells by integrating its genetic material into them.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the final stage of HIV infection. AIDS is diagnosed when the CD4 (cluster of differentiation 4) count falls below 200 cells/mm³ of blood or if the person experiences severe opportunistic infections, regardless of their CD4 level.

How Can I Determine if I Have HIV?

The symptoms of HIV are not distinctive, so the most trustworthy way to find out is through testing. If you think you might be at risk, make sure to get tested regularly. HIV tests are straightforward and can be accessed at clinics, hospitals, and community health centers. If your test results are positive, seek out and track HIV treatment services promptly to start care as soon as possible. If your results are negative, continue to follow preventive measures to reduce the risk of future infection.

Symptoms of HIV/AIDS

Early symptoms that occur after HIV infection are usually not clear. Symptoms of HIV and AIDS vary based on the stage of infection a person is in. People infected with HIV may face flu-like symptoms two to four weeks after the virus affects the body. This is called an acute infection, and it may last from a few days to several weeks.

Not all people experience the same symptoms, but some of the most common symptoms seen are:

  • Fever.

  • Chills.

  • Night sweats.

  • Muscle pain.

  • Sore throat.

  • Mouth ulcers.

  • Genital sores.

  • Tiredness.

  • Rashes.

  • Swollen lymph nodes.

In the stage of chronic infection, HIV remains in the body with the white blood cells. In this, people may not face any symptoms or infections that HIV causes. This stage lasts for many years for people who are not getting anti-retroviral therapy. As the infection progresses, the virus attacks the immune system, making the body susceptible to viral, bacterial, and fungal infections.

On further multiplication of viruses, the affected person may start facing:

  • Fever.

  • Fatigue.

  • Swollen lymph nodes.

  • Diarrhea.

  • Weight loss.

  • Pneumonia.

Untreated HIV results in AIDS.

Causes of HIV/AIDS

HIV is mainly caused by the human immunodeficiency virus and spreads through bodily fluids like blood, semen, vaginal secretions, rectal fluids, and breast milk.

How HIV can be transmitted is as follows:

  • Vaginal or anal sex.

  • Sharing needles and syringes.

  • Using unsterilized tattoo equipment.

  • From mother to her baby during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding.

  • Giving baby food chewed by an HIV-infected person.

  • When an open wound gets infected with HIV-infected blood.

  • Oral sex, if you have an open sore in the mouth or on the genitals.

  • By getting bitten by an HIV-infected person, only if there are open sores in the person’s mouth.

The ways by which HIV does not spread are:

  • Hugging.

  • Kissing.

  • Shaking hands.

  • Sharing food and drinks.

  • Through tears or sweat.

  • Mosquito bites.

  • Skin-to-skin contact.

Diagnosis of HIV/AIDS

HIV can be identified through testing of blood or saliva. There are three tests available for diagnosing HIV:

    • The Third Generation Test (HIV Antibody Test) - This test identifies antibodies generated by the immune system in response to HIV-1 or HIV-2 infection. The detection of antibodies in the blood indicates that you are infected with HIV. It generally takes about three to 12 weeks for the body to produce sufficient antibodies for this test to be effective.

    • HIV Antibody/Antigen Tests (Fourth Generation Test) - This test is also known as the HIV antibody/antigen combination test, the HIV antigen/antibody duo test, or the Ag/Ab test. It detects the p24 antigen, a component of HIV, along with HIV antibodies. This test is more accurate than the third-generation test because antibodies take time to develop, meaning that if the blood is drawn before antibodies are present, the results could be misleading. It takes approximately two to six weeks to identify antigens in the blood.

    • HIV RNA Test - This nucleic acid test (NAT or NAAT) identifies the RNA (ribonucleic acid) of HIV, which is the virus's genetic material. It is the most trustworthy test and can recognize HIV infection within nine to eleven days after exposure.

For managing HIV, the following medications are used:

As of now, there is no cure for HIV. Once a person becomes infected, they cannot get rid of the virus. However, there are medications available to reduce the symptoms and complications of HIV, known as antiretroviral drugs. These medications reduce the replication of the virus or make it undetectable in the blood, protect CD4 cells, and enable the immune system to fight the infection.

Various HIV medications are prescribed in different combinations for treatment:

  • Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs) - These prevent HIV from using the protein required to replicate itself. Examples include Delavirdine and Doravirine.

  • Nucleoside or Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors- This is also called NRTIs - These are altered forms of building blocks that inhibit HIV from reproducing itself. Examples are Abacavir and Didanosine.

  • Protease Inhibitors - These inactivate the HIV protease, a protein that HIV relies on for replication. Examples include Atazanavir and Darunavir.

  • Fusion Inhibitors - This category of drugs obstructs the entry of HIV into CD4 T cells. One example is Enfuvirtide.

  • CCR5 Antagonist - Maraviroc.

  • Integrase Inhibitors - These halt the function of proteins known as integrases, which HIV utilizes to integrate its genetic material into CD4 T cells. Examples are Bictegravir and Dolutegravir.

Conclusion

HIV is a lifelong viral infection that weakens the immune system if untreated. Early testing is the only reliable way to diagnose HIV. Timely antiretroviral therapy can control the virus and prevent AIDS. With proper treatment, people with HIV can live long, healthy lives. For more information, you can also talk to an HIV specialist at iCliniq.

Key Takeaways

  • HIV spreads by specific body fluids only and not just through casual contact.

  • Recent testing techniques can detect HIV early, as early as within days of exposure.

  • Antiretroviral medicines weaken the virus and improve the immune function of the body.

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Frequently Asked Questions

- HIV is not the same as AIDS. The virus that causes AIDS is HIV. If one's CD4 count falls below 200 or they have certain infections or cancers, they have AIDS. One can live with HIV for years without developing AIDS. Therefore, being infected with HIV does not imply that they have AIDS.
- Lesbians can contract HIV. It is uncommon for women who have only ever had sex with other women to contract or pass HIV. However, HIV can be transmitted through vaginal fluids and menstrual blood.
- HIV can be contracted through tattoos or body piercings. Sharing needles is the second most frequent way HIV is transmitted. Anyone who shares needles with an HIV-positive person or whose HIV status is unknown is at risk of contracting the virus.
HIV can be transmitted through bodily fluids such as blood, rectal fluids, vaginal secretions, semen, and breast milk. Most people contract HIV through anal or vaginal sex or sharing syringes, needles, or other drug injection equipment (for example, cookers). However, there are effective tools available to help prevent HIV transmission.
If a pregnant woman is HIV positive, her pregnancy is considered "high risk." A mother's HIV can be passed on to her baby during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. Therefore, it is critical for the mother's and her baby's health to see the doctor regularly for blood tests and prenatal visits. All HIV-positive pregnant women should take HIV medications throughout their pregnancy for their health and prevent perinatal HIV transmission. (Antiretrovirals are HIV medications.)
HIV can be transmitted to a baby by an HIV-positive mother at any time during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. However, this does not preclude one from having children. Treatment with a combination of HIV medications (known as antiretroviral therapy or ART) can prevent HIV transmission to the baby while also protecting their health.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a method of preventing HIV infection by taking an antiviral drug every day. PrEP is considerably more effective than condoms at preventing HIV transmission during sexual contact. However, it does not protect against other types of STDs, so even if one is on PrEP, one should still use a condom.
PrEP is not recommended for people exposed to HIV within the last 72 hours. If a person was exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, speak with the doctor or an urgent care provider regarding PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis). It should only be used in an emergency and within 72 hours of exposure. It must be taken once or twice a day for 28 days.
 
Taking two PrEP pills at the same time or on the same day is not dangerous. In fact, in some cases, taking two pills simultaneously is the recommended way to begin using PrEP. Therefore, there is no need to be concerned if one has accidentally taken two PrEP pills in one day. Simply continue taking the PrEP as directed the next day.
 
Once a person starts PrEP, they must take it every day. When PrEP is not taken daily, it is far less effective. An occasional missed dose of PrEP pills will not significantly impact overall effectiveness, but taking the medication as directed is critical.
The process begins when HIV comes into contact with a CD4 cell. HIV replicates by using CD4 immune cells. And each infected CD4 cell generates hundreds of new HIV particles. The process is referred to as the HIV life cycle. Each replication cycle lasts only one to two days.
There is no vaccine available to either prevent or treat HIV infection. However, more than 40 vaccines are in the early stages of development. These are intended to produce antibodies that fight the virus or increase the body's T cells, which aid in killing HIV-infected cells. All of this research suggests that an HIV vaccine could be available within the next decade.
Although the virus is unlikely to be fatal, it can significantly impact one's life and health. According to one study, people with HIV live 16 lesser years in good health than those who do not have the virus. However, according to a life expectancy study, HIV-positive people who begin antiretroviral therapy (ART) promptly and have access to medical care outlive their HIV-negative peers.
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