PEP must be started within 72 hours after a possible exposure to HIV. PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is for people who have possibly been exposed to HIV.PrEP is daily medicine that can reduce this risk. PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is for people who don't already have HIV but are at very high risk of getting it.Talking to your health care provider about medicines to prevent HIV:.Getting tested and treated for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).If your or your partner is allergic to latex, you can use polyurethane condoms. This includes limiting the number of sexual partners you have and using latex condoms every time you have sex. You can reduce the risk of spreading HIV by: Making sure that you have the support you need, living a healthy lifestyle, and getting regular medical care can help you enjoy a better quality of life. It's also important to take care of yourself. Most people with HIV live long and healthy lives if they get and stay on ART. It also reduces the risk of spreading the virus to others. ART can make HIV infection a manageable chronic condition. This is called antiretroviral therapy (ART). There is no cure for HIV infection, but it can be treated with medicines.
You can also use the CDC Testing Locator to find free testing sites. Your health care provider can do the test, or you can use a home testing kit.
How do I know if I have HIV?Ī blood test can tell if you have HIV infection. So the only way to know for sure whether you have HIV is to get tested. Some people may not feel sick during the earlier stages of HIV infection. These are known as opportunistic infections (OIs). You can get more and more severe infections. With AIDS, your immune system is badly damaged. Then the infection will progress to AIDS. If it is not treated, eventually the virus will weaken your body's immune system. Often, there are no symptoms during this stage. If the infection is not treated, it becomes chronic HIV infection. This stage is called acute HIV infection. These symptoms may come and go within two to four weeks. The first signs of HIV infection may be flu-like symptoms: People who engage in risky sexual behaviors, such as not using condoms.Gay and bisexual men, especially those who are Black/African American or Hispanic/Latino American.People who inject drugs with shared needles.Having an STD can increase your risk of getting or spreading HIV. People who have another sexually transmitted disease (STD).From mother to baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeedingĪnyone can get HIV, but certain groups have a higher risk of getting it:.Through contact with the blood of a person with HIV.This is the most common way that it spreads. Through unprotected sex with a person with HIV.It happens when the body's immune system is badly damaged because of the virus. It is the final stage of infection with HIV. What is AIDS?ĪIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This puts you at risk for serious infections and certain cancers. It harms your immune system by destroying a type of white blood cell that helps your body fight infection. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus.