Hiv infection virus

But some people may not feel sick during acute HIV infection. Other illnesses can cause these same symptoms. See a health care provider if you have these symptoms and think you may have been exposed to HIV.

Getting tested for HIV is the only way to know for sure. But HIV medicine can slow or prevent progression of the disease. With the advancements in treatment, progression to Stage 3 is less common today than in the early days of HIV. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. About HIV.

Minus Related Pages. HIV Basics. What is HIV? Info Sheet: HIV This info sheet provides basic information about HIV. HIV human immunodeficiency virus is a virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases.

It is spread by contact with certain bodily fluids of a person with HIV, most commonly during unprotected sex sex without a condom or HIV medicine to prevent or treat HIV , or through sharing injection drug equipment. So, once you have HIV, you have it for life. In the U. Once someone has a dangerous opportunistic illness, life expectancy without treatment falls to about 1 year. The only way to know for sure if you have HIV is to get tested.

Testing is relatively simple. You can ask your health care provider for an HIV test. Many medical clinics, substance abuse programs, community health centers, and hospitals offer them too.

You can also buy a home testing kit at a pharmacy or online. HIV self-testing is also an option. Self-testing allows people to take an HIV test and find out their result in their own home or other private location. You can buy a self-test kit at a pharmacy or online.

Some health departments or community-based organizations also provide self-test kits for free. Read the U. Self-testing allows people to get tested for HIV while still following stay-at-home orders and social distancing practices.

Ask your local health department or HIV service organization if they offer self-testing kits. Content Source: HIV. Many Federal agencies have developed public awareness and education campaigns to address HIV prevention, treatment, care, and research.