HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a health condition that people sometimes feel shy or scared to talk about. But knowing the facts can help us protect ourselves, support others, and fight the stigma around it.

What is HIV?

HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s defense system, called the immune system. The immune system is like the body’s “army” that protects us from germs and sickness. When HIV weakens this system, the body has a harder time fighting off infections and diseases.
If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), which is the most serious stage of HIV infection. But today, with treatment, people can live long, healthy lives with HIV and may never reach the AIDS stage.

Do People Feel Sick Right Away?

Some people feel sick with flu-like symptoms a few weeks after infection. These can be:
•    fever
•    sore throat
•    skin rash
•    tiredness
These early signs are like the flu, so many people don’t realize they have HIV. Others may not feel sick at all for years. That’s why the only way to know for sure is to get tested.

How Does HIV Spread?

HIV spreads when certain body fluids from a person with HIV enter another person’s body. These fluids include:
•    Blood
•    Semen
•    Vaginal fluids
•    Rectal fluids
•    Breast milk

Most Common ways HIV spreads:
•    Having sexual relations without protection.
•    Sharing needles or syringes when using drugs or certain medicines.
•    From a mother to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

HIV does not spread through:
•    Hugging, shaking hands, or simple gestures of affection.
•    Sharing food, drinks, cups, or utensils.
•    Mosquito bites or other casual contact.
•    Using public toilet seats.

It’s important to remember: HIV is not spread though everyday social contact. Making careful and responsible choices helps protect both ourselves and others.

How Common Is HIV?

•    At the end of 2024, about 40.8 million people around the world were living with HIV.
•    In 2024 alone, about 1.3 million people acquired HIV, and 630,000 people died from illnesses linked to HIV.

How Can We Prevent HIV?

The good news is, there are many safe and effective ways to prevent HIV:

•    Abstaining from sex, especially for unmarried people
o    According to CDC, abstinence is a way to completely avoid sexually transmitted infections such as HIV. 
o    This approach eliminates exposure to sexual transmission risks and reinforces values of self-control. 

•    Being in a Faithful Monogamous Relationship
o    HIV risk is significantly reduced in mutually faithful, monogamous relationships where both partners are uninfected. 

•    Avoiding Risk Behaviors such as Drug Use and Promiscuity
o    Behaviors such as drug use (sharing of needles), promiscuity, and casual sexual encounters are associated with higher HIV transmission rates.

•    Voluntary Testing and Counseling
o    Voluntary HIV testing and counseling, especially for couples preparing for marriage or childbirth.
o    This aligns with the principle of responsible stewardship of health.

•    Seeking preventive or emergency treatment when needed
o    PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis): A daily medicine that lowers the risk for people who do not have HIV.
o    PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis): Emergency medicine that must be taken within 72 hours after possible exposure. 

•    Staying on treatment if diagnosed with HIV
o    Taking prescribed HIV medicine daily (antiretroviral therapy or ART) can reduce the virus to undetectable levels, which means it cannot be passed to others through intimate contact.

•    Choosing licensed professionals for injections, tattoos, or medical procedures
o    This is to make sure that only sterile equipment is being used.

Getting Tested—Why It Matters

Testing is the only way to know your HIV status. Many places offer safe and easy tests, including some you can do at home.

Why test?

•    Early testing = early treatment.
•    Protects your health and your partners.
•    Helps reduce the spread of HIV in the community.

Treatment: Living with HIV

There is no cure for HIV yet. But daily treatment with ART (antiretroviral therapy) lets people live long and healthy lives.
•    ART lowers the virus in your body to very low levels.
•    If the virus is undetectable, it stays that way as long as you take your medicine.
•    People with undetectable virus cannot give HIV to others through sex.

Living Well with HIV

Having HIV does not mean life stops. With good care, many people live just as long as those without HIV. Here are key steps:

•    Take your medicines every day—don’t skip doses. 
•    Keep regular doctor visits. 
•    Eat healthy, exercise, and get enough sleep.
•    Reach out for support—talk to trusted friends, family, or support groups.
With good care, many people with HIV today live nearly as long as people without HIV.


Conclusion

HIV is a serious condition, but it is not a death sentence. With the right awareness, prevention, testing, and treatment, people can live full, healthy lives—and help stop HIV from spreading.

Sources/References:

•    https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/about/index.html
•    https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-aids
•    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4251-hiv-aids
•    https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/prevention/index.html
•    https://www.cdc.gov/sti/prevention/index.html