National HIV Testing Week – Test it Early, Prevent it Later.

This week, 5^th – 11^th February 2024, marks 10 years since the first, National HIV Testing Week. A week dedicated to improving testing of, and education around the infamous HIV virus. The only way to diagnose an HIV infection is through testing. This is why it is essential that those at risk, and those who think they may have contracted the virus are tested regularly and promptly. Theres often confusion between HIV and AIDS, which we will clear up in this article, along with looking at the signs and symptoms of the infection, how common HIV infection really is in the UK, and the treatments that are available.

The same, but different

Some people find the terminology confusing. HIV and AIDS are related, but not necessarily the same thing. HIV stands for Human immunodeficiency virus, a virus which infects and attacks the white blood cells of the immune system. On the other hand, AIDS is the acronym for Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This is the most advanced stage of HIV infection when the body’s immune system is extremely compromised and vulnerable to infections and other illness, including cancer.

Signs & Symptoms

One of the problems with HIV is many cases don’t display any symptoms, especially over the first few weeks of infection. During this period however, most people experience flu-like symptoms such as a fever, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, mouth ulcers and perhaps a rash. This means many people don’t think much of it, and the infection is easily missed¹.

After the initial 2-6 weeks, there is often a period of dormancy when no symptoms are present, which may last several years, in some cases over a decade. However, as HIV continues to work on the immune system, it weakens, and symptoms eventually begin to present. These symptoms may include swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, fever, diarrhoea, fatigue and coughing or breathing difficulties¹.

Finally, if left untreated, the chronic HIV infection will progress to AIDS. Now the immune system is severely compromised, and the individual is at a much higher risk of severe infections and other illnesses like cancer, commonly lymphomas².

Transmission

HIV infection is spread through contact with bodily fluids of an infected person. This is often blood, from sharing needles or other injection equipment during drugtaking and accidental needle sticks experienced by healthcare workers; breast milk from a mother who is unaware of her infection; or through semen or vaginal fluids during sex¹. It can also be passed from a pregnant mother to her offspring. HIV cannot spread through saliva, urine or sweat, and cannot be contracted by hugging, kissing, or sharing food and water – HIV is a fragile virus and can’t survive outside the body for very long³.

Risk Factors

Some of the most common risk factors are related to the transmission methods discussed above. Unprotected sex, whether anal or vaginal, increases the risk of HIV infection. Similarly, using contaminated needles, syringes and drug solutions will increase the risk. A combination of sexual activity and harmful drug or alcohol abuse is also considered a risk factor for HIV infection.

Additionally, having another STI such as syphilis, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhoea or bacterial vaginosis, is a risk factor for HIV infection¹. This is why our Blood Borne Virus and Complete STI test packages include HIV testing, offering increased peace of mind regarding your sexual health.

In Conclusion

• HIV is a viral infection which compromises the immune system which, if untreated, can progress to AIDS and severe illness or cancer.
• Asymptomatic HIV infections are common, and testing is essential to provide treatment to those infected, reduce transmission and prevent serious illness.
• Rates of HIV infection are on a downward trajectory, but this is no time for complacency! Only through increased testing, education and awareness can we hope to eliminate the threat of HIV and AIDS.