Learn about HIV

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus that attacks your immune system.

HIV weakens the body's immune system which makes it hard for your body to fight off infections.

Without proper treatment, HIV can develop into AIDS. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It's important to know that people on HIV treatment do not develop AIDS.

HIV can be passed from person to person during unprotected vaginal or anal sex with someone who has HIV.

Unprotected sex is when you have sex without a condom or without taking PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). PrEP is a medication that can prevent the risk of HIV infection. It is prescribed by a doctor.

HIV can also be passed on from:

• mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.
• piercing your skin with equipment that is not sterilised (sharing needles, drug injecting equipment and tattooing).

You cannot get HIV from kissing, hugging, oral sex, holding hands, spitting, coughing, sneezing, toilet seats or sharing food or drinks. People on HIV treatment cannot pass on HIV.

Most people with HIV don't have symptoms, so you may not know if you or your partner have HIV until you get a HIV test.

Not everyone will have the same HIV symptoms. Symptoms can include:

• flu like symptoms for one to two weeks
• a sore throat
• swollen glands
• a rash

Symptoms usually show a few weeks after being infected with HIV. They can be a sign of your body trying to fight off the virus.

If you have HIV for a long time without treatment, you might develop a serious illness and get symptoms of AIDS. AIDS and HIV are not the same thing.

Yes. HIV treatment is free for all people in NSW (no Medicare card required).

While there is no cure for HIV, safe and effective treatment is available to you.

HIV is treated with tablets or injections that help protect your immune system and help prevent AIDS.

HIV treatment can keep you healthy. People on effective HIV treatment cannot pass on HIV to others. The sooner you start taking treatment, the better.

People with HIV who are on treatment have healthy long lives and can have children without risk of passing on HIV to their partner or family.

Yes. HIV treatment is free for all people in NSW (no Medicare card required).

For people who do have HIV, if they take their HIV treatment correctly, the amount of virus in their blood is very low (undetectable) and cannot be passed on to sexual partners.

This is why it's recommended you begin treatment as soon as you can if you have HIV. Effective treatment helps you reach an undetectable viral load. See a doctor who can organise treatment.

PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. PrEP is a medication prescribed by your doctor and is very effective at preventing HIV infection. PrEP does not stop you from getting other STIs so it is still important to use condoms.

To find out where you can get PrEP, call the Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 Monday - Friday or visit PrEP for HIV Prevention. For information and support at other times, you can call healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. PEP is an HIV medication used to prevent HIV after you may have been exposed.

When PEP is taken within 72 hours (3 days) of exposure (the sooner the better), it reduces the risk of HIV transmission. PEP must be taken for an entire month after exposure to be most effective.

You can get PEP from the Emergency Department of most public hospitals and all sexual health clinics.

To find out where you can get PEP, call 1800 PEP NOW (1800 737 669) , or visit Get PEP Info.

It’s important to put your health first. To prevent HIV, you can:

• use condoms during sex. Condoms stop HIV from being passed on. Make sure you change condoms with each new partner and when sharing sex toys.
• take the medication PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) if you are at risk of getting HIV. PrEP prevents HIV.
• take PEP (post exposure prophylaxis) for one month if you think you have been exposed to HIV. PEP will reduce your risk of getting HIV. It is important to start PEP as soon as possible after you have had unprotected sex and no later than 72 hours (3 days) after you may have been exposed to HIV.
• do not share needles, syringes or other injecting equipment.
• test regularly for STIs and HIV.

For people who do have HIV, if they take their HIV treatment correctly, the amount of virus in their blood is very low (undetectable) and cannot be passed on to sexual partners.

Free condoms and safe sex packs are available to everyone. Visit Ending HIV, a health clinic or call the Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624.

If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, call the Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 Monday - Friday 9.00am – 5.30pm. For information and support at other times, you can call healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

If you would like an interpreter to speak in your language, please contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450. It's free and confidential.

You can also get a private HIV test at:

• Your local GP. Fees may apply.
• A NSW Sexual Health Clinic.
• A family planning clinic. Feels may apply.
• An Aboriginal Medical Service. Fees may apply.
• HIVtest.au HIVTest.au is a free, accessible, and discreet HIV self-testing kit delivery service that provides one year’s worth of HIV self-testing kits to people living in Australia aged over 18 years.
• Dried Blood Spot Test The dried blood spot (DBS) test is a free, easy and private way to test for HIV and hepatitis C. Just take a few drops of blood from your finger, mail the test back and get your results by phone, text or email.
• a[TEST], a fast, free and confidential rapid HIV and STI testing service for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, regardless of HIV status.

You can find other HIV testing locations here.

HIV testing every three months is recommended for all transgender women and gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, including transgender men.

HIV testing is also recommended for:

people with multiple partners or a recent partner change 

anyone diagnosed with a STI

people using pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV

sexual contacts of someone with HIV or at risk of HIV 

migrants from countries with a high rate of HIV 

pregnant women

anyone with symptoms of HIV.

While the HIV self-test is extremely accurate, if your result is a positive result, you will need to follow up and get a blood test with a doctor to confirm your result. If you have tested positive for HIV, it is normal if you feel shocked, confused or upset.

If your result is confirmed positive by your doctor, they will talk to you about the next steps, including treatment, talking to your loved ones and other important things you need to know.

If you have tested positive for HIV, it is important you:

• don't ignore the result.
• start treatment for HIV as soon as possible.
• connect with a doctor you trust.
• practise safe sex.

To find out where you can get a free and private follow up test, call the NSW Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 Monday - Friday. If you would like an interpreter to speak in your language, please contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450. It's free and confidential.

Positive Life NSW supports people who are diagnosed with an STI (including HIV), to notify or tell partners. Get the support you need from someone else (a peer) who has been through the process of notifying partners (sexual or injecting) themselves. Call 1800 245 677 or email contact@positivelife.org.au for support.

You can also get support from a range of services like ACON, Positive Life NSW, Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service , NSW Sexual Health Infolink, Pozhet and healthdirect.

It's important to remember there is lots of support for people wanting to test for HIV. Information and support about HIV is available to you. If you would like to talk to someone, you can contact the following services:

Sexual Health Infolink

Speak to a nurse for free about health information and services. Call 1800 451 624 Monday - Friday.

Positive Life NSW

Offers a range of support options for people living with HIV. Speak to a Treatments Officer or a Peer Support Officer (another person living with HIV) who can offer support, understand the HIV medications, disclosure, living healthy and staying well with HIV. Call 1800 245 677 for confidential support.

ACON

Offers a range of information and support services for people of diverse sexualities and genders. Speak to a counsellor through ACON's new diagnosis priority service. Call ACON's counselling service on 1800 063 060.

Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service

MHAHS provides in-language support to people who speak a language other than English and who are living with HIV. For more information, call 9515 1234 or email info@mhahs.org.au.

Pozhet

An information and support services for heterosexual people living with HIV and their partners. Call 1800 812 404 to speak to a support person.

Bobby Goldsmith Foundation

As Australia’s oldest HIV charity, Bobby Goldsmith Foundation offers a range of practical, emotional and financial supports including case management, financial counselling and other programs for people living with HIV. For more information, call 9283 8666 or email bgf@bgf.org.au.

healthdirect

healthdirect is a 24 hour health advice and information phone line. Get advice and information you can trust. Call 1800 022 222.

Lifeline

Lifeline is a national service that provides 24 hour support for anyone experiencing a personal crisis or distress. You can talk to someone at any time by calling 13 11 14

If you would like an interpreter to speak in your language, please contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450. It's free and confidential.