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What is HIV
What is HIV?
HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system—particularly the CD4 (T) cells that protect us from infections. If left untreated, HIV can gradually weaken the immune system and eventually lead to AIDS, or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
Is there a cure for HIV?
While there is currently no cure for HIV, it can be effectively controlled with long-term medication. People who take their treatment consistently can live healthy, fulfilling lives and greatly reduce the risk of passing the virus to their partners.
What are the symptoms of HIV?
Many individuals with HIV do not notice any symptoms at first. Some, however, may experience prolonged fever, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, recurrent infections. Some patients may also experience flu-like symptoms that appear two to four weeks after exposure. Because symptoms vary so widely—and often don’t appear at all—the only way to know for certain is through a blood test.
How is HIV transmitted?
HIV is transmitted through specific body fluids:
- blood
- semen (cum)
- pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum)
- vaginal fluids
- rectal fluids
Transmission occurs when these fluids come into contact with mucous membranes, damaged tissue, or enter the bloodstream directly, such as through a needle.
The HIV virus can spread through:
- Unprotected vaginal or anal sex
- Sharing contaminated needles and syringes
- From an infected mother to her baby
- Receiving infected blood
- Oral sex (Less common, but can occur if ejaculation happens in the mouth and there are oral ulcers, gum bleeding or genital sores)
HIV cannot be transmitted through everyday casual contact like:
- Hugging & kissing
- Sharing food or drinks
- Using toilet seats
- Being exposed to saliva, sweat, or tears
- Coughing and sneezing
- Mosquito and insect bites
When should I get tested for HIV?
Testing is especially important if you:
- have multiple or casual sexual partners
- do not consistently use condoms
- have visited commercial sex workers
- are unsure of your partner’s sexual history
- have received piercings or tattoos at unlicensed or unhygienic parlours
- had a blood transfusion or undergone surgery overseas where screening standards may differ
How can I get tested for HIV?
The HIV test is a non-fasting blood test.
HIV tests detect HIV antigens and antibodies to HIV in your blood. The results are usually out within a few days.
However, HIV tests cannot detect HIV immediately after infection. The virus has a window period – which is the time between HIV exposure and when a blood test can detect HIV in the body.
As such, if your initial HIV test is negative, it is recommended to repeat the blood test again:
- 6 weeks after exposure
- Many lab HIV tests can detect most infections by this time
- A negative result here is highly reassuring
- 6 weeks after exposure
- 4 months after exposure
- By 4 months, HIV tests that detect both antigens and antibodies in your blood are considered conclusive.
- If your result is negative, you do not need further testing unless you have another potential exposure to HIV.
- 4 months after exposure
Understanding how HIV is transmitted—and how it isn’t—allows us to make informed choices about our health. With early testing, timely treatment and consistent prevention practices, HIV is a manageable condition and people living with it can lead long, healthy lives. By staying informed and proactive, we not only protect ourselves but also help reduce stigma and support a healthier community for everyone.
Author
Dr Amaris Lim
MBBS, MMed (Fam Med), GDip (Sports Med)
Dr Amaris is a Family Physician at Frontier Healthcare with a special interest in Sports Medicine. She also contributes as one of the Core Faculty for the Family Medicine Residency Program with the National University Health System (NUHS). She currently practices at Canberra and Bukit Batok.
