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HIV or AIDS
What is HIV/AIDS?

HIV EDUCATION & PREVENTION

What Is HIV/AIDS?

A clear guide to HIV transmission, symptoms, testing, prevention and treatment—based on current public-health guidance.

Quick answer: HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system. AIDS is the most advanced stage of untreated HIV infection. With early diagnosis and effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), most people with HIV can live long, healthy lives and may never develop AIDS.

HIV and AIDS: what is the difference?

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It targets immune cells, especially CD4 cells, and can weaken the body’s ability to fight infections if it is not treated.

AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is Stage 3 HIV, diagnosed when the immune system is severely damaged—for example, when the CD4 count falls below 200 cells/mm³ or certain opportunistic illnesses occur. A positive HIV test does not mean a person has AIDS.

How is HIV transmitted?

HIV can be transmitted only through certain body fluids from a person with HIV who does not have a sustained undetectable viral load. These fluids include blood, semen and pre-seminal fluid, vaginal and rectal fluids, and breast milk.

Sexual contact
Anal or vaginal sex without effective prevention such as condoms or PrEP can transmit HIV.
Blood exposure
Sharing needles, syringes or other injection equipment can transmit HIV. Unsterile cutting or piercing equipment also creates risk.
Pregnancy and infant feeding
HIV can pass during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding, but treatment greatly reduces this risk.

How HIV is not transmitted

HIV is not spread through ordinary daily contact. You cannot get HIV from hugging, shaking hands, sharing food or utensils, toilet seats, swimming pools, coughing, sneezing, sweat, tears or insect bites.

Symptoms and stages of HIV

1. Acute HIV infection

Some people develop flu-like symptoms 2–4 weeks after infection, such as fever, sore throat, rash, fatigue or swollen lymph nodes. Others have no symptoms. Symptoms alone cannot diagnose HIV.

2. Chronic HIV infection

HIV remains active, but a person may feel well and have few or no symptoms. Without treatment this stage may last many years; with effective ART, people can remain healthy and avoid progression.

3. AIDS

AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV. A severely weakened immune system can allow serious opportunistic infections or cancers to develop. Modern treatment can prevent or delay progression to this stage.

Testing is the only way to know

You cannot confirm HIV from symptoms or appearance. An HIV test is the only way to know your status. Different tests have different window periods, so a test taken too soon after exposure may not detect infection.

  • Most rapid and self-tests are antibody tests, which can usually detect HIV 23–90 days after exposure.
  • Laboratory antigen/antibody tests using blood from a vein can usually detect HIV 18–45 days after exposure.
  • A reactive self-test or screening result requires confirmatory testing by a healthcare professional.
Possible exposure within the last 72 hours?
Seek medical care immediately and ask about PEP. It must be started within 72 hours, and the sooner it is started, the better.

HIV prevention

  • Use condoms correctly and consistently.
  • Consider PrEP if you may have ongoing exposure risk; discuss the available options with a healthcare professional.
  • Use PEP after a recent possible exposure and start it within 72 hours.
  • Never share needles, syringes or other injecting equipment.
  • Test for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections as recommended.
  • For people living with HIV, taking ART and maintaining an undetectable viral load prevents sexual transmission—known as U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable).

Treatment and living well with HIV

There is currently no cure for HIV, but ART can reduce the amount of virus in the blood to an undetectable level, protect the immune system and prevent progression to AIDS. People diagnosed with HIV should begin care and treatment as soon as possible and take medication as prescribed.

HIV is a health condition—not a reflection of a person’s character. Accurate information, confidential testing and respectful support help reduce stigma and improve health.

Prefer private screening at home?

Learn about the iCare HIV 1&2 home screening kit, instructions and important result guidance.

View iCare HIV Test Kit

Frequently asked questions

Can HIV be cured?

There is no effective cure at present, but ART can control HIV and allow people to live long, healthy lives.

Can a person with HIV transmit it through sex if their viral load is undetectable?

No. A person who takes ART and maintains an undetectable viral load does not sexually transmit HIV (U=U).

Does a negative test always rule out HIV?

Not if the test was taken during its window period. Repeat testing after the applicable window period may be necessary.

Medical note: This page provides general education and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have symptoms, a reactive test or a recent possible exposure, contact a qualified healthcare professional.

Authoritative references: WHO: HIV and AIDS · CDC: About HIV · CDC: HIV Testing · HIV.gov: PEP