What is HIV and AIDS?
Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus which attacks the immune system, which is the body’s defence mechanism against infectious diseases.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the most
advanced stage of HIV and is life threatening. If HIV is caught early enough, and treated, it will not lead to AIDS. AIDS occurs when someone has both HIV and at least one of a specific list of “AIDS defining” illnesses such as TB or certain types of cancer.
In 2019, it was estimated that there are 105,000 people living
with HIV in the UK. It is estimated that 94% of these people have a known diagnosis, i.e. 6% do not know. 97% of people engaged in treatment have viral loads low enough that they cannot pass the virus on to others.
Causes of HIV and AIDS
HIV is passed between humans via infected bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal fluids, rectal secretions, blood or breast milk. HIV cannot be passed on by shaking hands, kissing, sharing cups or plates, coughing, spitting, using a toilet or insect bites.
Prevention
With the right medical care, HIV transmission during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding can be prevented. Correct use of condoms during sex can prevent transmission. Needle and syringe exchange programmes can prevent the transmission of HIV via shared drug equipment.
PrEP = Pre exposure prophylaxis. This is medication taken before someone is exposed to HIV, to help prevent HIV infection from occurring.
PEP = Post exposure prophylaxis. This is medication taken after someone has been exposed to HIV, in order to help prevent HIV infection from occurring. This is most commonly recommended following an incident where there has been a high-risk type of exposure to an HIV-infected bodily fluid, such as a needlestick injury in specific circumstances.
Treatments
The aim of treatment is to increase a person’s CD4 count and reduce their viral load to undetectable levels. The CD4 count is a measure of immune function. The viral load is a measure of how much HIV is in the body – the higher the amount = the more infectious.
Modern treatments can reduce viral load to undetectable levels within 6 months. Unfortunately, there is no cure, so once infected, the person has HIV for life. Treatments involve taking a combination of medicines from the group of “antiretrovirals”, which stop the virus from replicating.
SUPPORT
Terrence Higgins Trust – tht.org.uk
NHS information on HIV & AIDS – nhs.uk/conditions/hiv-and-aids
Guidance for employers supporting those with HIV – gmpash.org.uk/sites/default/files/hiv-workplace-guide-august23-digital.pdf
