HIV and AIDS

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that damages the cells in your immune system and weakens your ability to fight everyday infections and disease.

AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the name used to describe a number of potentially life-threatening infections and illnesses that happen when your immune system has been severely damaged by the HIV virus.

Anyone who has sex without a condom or shares needles is at risk of HIV infection.

There are many effective ways to prevent or reduce the risk of HIV infection, including:

• using a condom for sex
• post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
• pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
• treatment for HIV to reduce the viral load to undetectable
• if you use drugs, never sharing needles or other injecting equipment, including syringes, spoons and swabs

Speak to your local sexual health clinic or a GP for further advice about the best way to reduce your risk.

If you manage your condition properly by taking your medicine correctly and avoiding illness, you should be able to live a near-normal life.

Antiretroviral medications are used to treat HIV; these drugs must be taken every day as recommended by your doctor. Without treatment, the virus will attack the immune system and there is a risk it may be passed on. You should seek medical advice as soon as possible if you think you might have been exposed to HIV.

As well as taking HIV treatment, there are many things you can do to improve your general health and reduce your risk of falling ill.

These include:

• exercising regularly
• eating a healthy, balanced diet
• stopping smoking
• have flu jabs once a year to reduce the risk of getting serious illnesses

For more information on healthy living, see our page here [link to Healthy Living page]

Mental Health

One of the most common health conditions with people living with HIV is depression. This can range from mild to severe and can affect your day to day life. Symptoms can include:

• persistent sadness
• anxiety
• feeling empty
• helplessness
• negativity
• loss of appetite
• loss of interest in people and hobbies

Other mental health conditions can also occur in people with HIV and AIDS including anxiety, mood and personality disorders.

For more information on mental health, see our page here [link to mental health page]

There are many things that you can do if a friend or loved one has been recently diagnosed with HIV:

• talk – be prepared for open honest conversations about HIV
• listen - being diagnosed with HIV can be life changing news so it is important to listen to your health professionals
• learn - having a solid understanding of HIV can help you to move on living the life you want to lead
• follow any medication prescribed by your Doctor.

If you are the sexual partner of someone who has been diagnosed with HIV, you should also get tested so that you know your own HIV status.