HIV and AIDS

HIV is spread when body fluids containing the virus, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluid, anal fluid or breast milk, enter the bloodstream of a person who does not have HIV. This can happen through:

• unsafe sexual practices, mainly unprotected anal or vaginal sex
• sharing injecting equipment, particularly needles and syringes
• the natural transfer of fluids from a woman who is HIV-positive to her baby during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding
• unsterile body piercing and tattooing
• unsafe medical or dental procedures (especially in countries that do not have regulations for HIV testing and prevention)

You are also at risk if your sexual partner shares injecting equipment, even if you don’t.

Unprotected oral sex may be a risk if there are any cuts or sores in and around the mouth or genital area.

HIV cannot be spread through everyday social contact, such as shaking hands, sharing a glass, sharing food or drink or hugging and kissing. Saliva, tears, sweat and urine do not carry HIV. You cannot get HIV from insect or animal bites or by using the same toilet as a person with HIV.

You are not at risk of HIV in most work places and schools. However, where work, study or sport includes contact with blood and body fluids there may be some risk. Always follow basic hygiene, including proper hand washing, and safe handling of body fluids such as blood spills.

Soon after HIV infection, some people feel as if they have the flu, with symptoms such as fever, headache, tiredness and rash.

Some people, however, may not have any symptoms. You can have HIV and feel and look healthy. Many people do not realise they have HIV because they do not see or feel anything wrong. Without knowing it, you can pass HIV on to your sexual partners or to people with whom you inject drugs.

As the virus continues to attack the immune system, a person will start to develop symptoms. These can include:

• constant tiredness
• swollen glands
• rapid weight loss
• night sweats
• diarrhoea.

Without effective treatment these symptoms can progress to the point where the immune system becomes fragile and susceptible to AIDS.

Having a blood test is the only way to find out if you have HIV. However, for a short period just after HIV enters the body, it cannot be picked up with a test. So if your first result is negative, you will need to have another test after three months.

Before and after a test, you will be given information and be able to ask questions, to make sure that you understand what both a positive and a negative result mean. All your information will be kept private.

If you do have HIV, all your sexual or injecting partners will need to be contacted so they can get counselling, testing, and treatment if necessary. This is always done carefully, respecting everyone’s confidentiality. Find out more about contact tracing.

How can I live a healthy and fulfilling life with HIV?

If you have HIV you can lead a full and healthy life. There is currently no cure for HIV, but like many other conditions it can be managed with daily treatment.

HIV treatment can lead to a person having an ‘undetectable viral load’. This does not mean that HIV is no longer inside the body or that the person is cured, but that the amount of HIV in the blood is too small for tests to detect. When a person living with HIV has maintained an undetectable viral load for six months or more, there is effectively no risk of transmitting HIV sexually to others.

People living with HIV (also referred to as being ‘HIV-positive’) can have normal relationships, including having sex, and having children if they choose. With effective HIV treatment today, HIV-positive people can have HIV-negative children. If you or your partner has HIV, it is best to talk with your doctor about options for practising safer sex, or for having children. Pregnant women can get treatment to significantly reduce the chances of their baby getting HIV – you must tell your doctor if you are pregnant and have HIV.

You can protect yourself and your partner against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by following this advice:

• Always use condoms with water-based lubricant when you have sex. Condoms are the best way to protect both of you from HIV and other STIs.
• If you are in a relationship, ensure that both you and your partner have been tested and are aware of each other’s HIV status. If one partner is HIV-positive and the other is HIV-negative, the risk of HIV transmission can be minimised by:
  • ensuring that the HIV-positive partner is on treatment and has an undetectable viral load
  • using condoms and lubricant
  • getting tested and treated early for STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhoea or syphilis
  • asking your doctor whether the HIV-negative partner would benefit from taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is a daily medication to prevent HIV infection in people who don’t have HIV but are at ongoing risk of getting HIV. To find out more about using PrEP in WA talk to your doctor or call the WA PrEP Information Line on 1800 671 130.
• If you are having casual sex (sex with different people on a regular basis), then get regular STI checks.
• If you inject drugs, never share needles, syringes, filters, water or spoons. Wash your hands or swab your fingers before touching another person’s injection site. Always use new, sterile needles and syringes. You can get these from most chemists, needle and syringe exchange outlets, and at country hospitals after hours.
• Before considering any body art (such as tattooing or piercing) make sure the body artist uses only sterilised equipment, and new razors, inks and needles each time.
• Avoid sharing personal items which may have traces of blood on them, such as razors and toothbrushes.
• Alcohol and other drugs can affect your decision making abilities and also your sexual behaviour. If you are under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, it may be safer to avoid having sex.
• If you think you have been exposed to HIV recently, you might be eligible for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). PEP is a prescribed course of medication, which must be taken as soon as possible and within 72 hours (3 days) of exposure to HIV. For more information call the 24 hour PEP Line on 1300 767 161.

Talking about HIV

• Talking about HIV can be difficult, but if you are HIV-positive, you should think about talking to your sex partner before you have sex. Whether or not you decide to tell your sex partner that you have HIV, you must always practice safer sex. Using condoms with water-based lubricant is the best way to prevent the spread of HIV.