HIV
Transmission
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus spread through blood, semen, anal secretions, vaginal secretions and breast milk. The most common ways to get HIV are through unprotected anal or vaginal sex or through shared injection tools. HIV doesn't care about gender or sexuality, and it can be transmitted between cis and trans, gay and straight, anyone who has sex or shares needles. But with the right knowledge and protection, preventing HIV transmission is easier than ever.
Symptoms
Many people who contract HIV do not notice much at first. Those who do develop symptoms may experience them as flu-like, with:
- Fever and/or swollen lymph nodes
- Sore throat or muscle/joint pain
- Skin rash
If left untreated, HIV eventually weakens the immune system and leads to AIDS, but effective treatments are now available to prevent this.
Testing
Testing for HIV is an obvious part of taking care of your sexual health. A blood test can give you answers quickly and is easy to do at a health center or STI clinic, youth clinic or at Testpoint/Checkpoint. If you have sex without a condom or share needles - often or occasionally - it's smart to get tested regularly. There are also home tests that you can use to find out your HIV status in the comfort of your own home.
Treatment
HIV is no longer a death sentence. With antiviral drugs, people with HIV can live long, healthy lives. Treatment reduces the virus in the blood to undetectable levels, meaning that HIV cannot be transmitted to others through sex - this is called U=U (undetectable=untransmittable). So if you test positive, take it easy, start treatment and seek support if you feel the need.
How to protect yourself
There are many ways to protect yourself against HIV:
- Use a condom for anal/vaginal sex.
- PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a daily medication that drastically reduces the risk of HIV if you do not have it.
- Get tested regularly, and talk openly about sex and safety.
- Never share injection tools.
- Sex with a person living with HIV is the safest sex you can have.
With the right protection and knowledge, you can enjoy sex and intimacy without worrying about HIV.
