What is HIV?
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. ‘Immunodeficiency’ refers to the weakening of the immune system by the virus. If it’s not treated, it can weaken and damage your body’s defence system (the immune system) so that it can’t fight off infections. HIV treatment stops this happening.
If someone’s immune system is damaged by HIV (usually over many years), they may develop one or more serious infections and illnesses. Sometimes this is called an AIDS diagnosis. AIDS stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, but the term isn’t used very often now. Late-stage or advanced HIV is sometimes used instead.
Almost all people living with HIV who are diagnosed early enough and have effective treatment won’t go on to develop an AIDS-defining illness.
How can I get HIV?
HIV can be passed through the following body fluids:
- blood
- semen (including pre-cum)
- vaginal fluid
- anal mucus
- breast milk.
People can get HIV through:
- vaginal/frontal and anal sex without a condom
- sharing drug injecting equipment
- sharing sex toys
- mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy
- coming into contact with contaminated blood
HIV prevention
The following measures can help prevent HIV transmission during vaginal/frontal and/or anal sex.
- Testing regularly for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Wearing condoms when having sex, as they are one of the best ways to prevent HIV and many other STIs. For anal sex, use water-based or silicone-based lube to reduce the risk of the condom tearing.
- Using HIV prevention medicines such as PrEP.
- Becoming undetectable through treatment, if you have HIV.
Signs and symptoms of HIV
People with HIV may have a short one- or two-week, flu-like illness soon after getting the virus, but can then feel well for a long time. Most people will only notice further symptoms of HIV after a few years.
HIV testing and treatment
If you have HIV, finding out means you can start treatment, stay healthy and avoid passing the virus onto anyone else.
If you’ve acquired HIV, it takes time for there to be enough antibodies or antigens in your blood to show up on an HIV test. This time is sometimes called the ‘window period’. The length of the window period depends on the type of test you take, but it is typically 7 weeks.
There are 3 ways of getting tested:
- Online testing Kit: Order a FREE, confidential and discreet postal testing kit to complete at home from SH:24 by clicking here.
- Full Blood Test: A sample of blood will be taken from you by your GP or in the clinic. The blood is then sent off and you will receive your results in 7-10 days. This test is more than 99.99% accurate.
- Rapid Test* (Point of care or POC test): A ‘finger prick’ of blood is taken and you will get your results in less than 30 minutes, the test is 99.96% accurate at detecting any HIV exposure that may have occurred more than 12 weeks ago.
Other local services that offer free and confidential rapid HIV testing:
Trade – 0116 254 1747
Undetectable viral load
For people with HIV, if they have been taking effective HIV treatment and their viral load has been undetectable for 6 months or more, it means they are at a stage where the HIV in their body is so low, that it cannot be passed onto another person. This is called undetectable=untransmittable (U=U).
Being undetectable does not mean your HIV is cured. Unfortunately, there’s currently no cure for HIV. But with effective treatment, most people can still live a long and healthy life.
More information on HIV
For more information and advice on HIV, please visit the Terrence Higgins Trust website.
PEPSE
What is PEPSE?
PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. The term PEPSE is sometimes used too, which stands for post-exposure prophylaxis following sexual exposure.
PEP is a combination of HIV drugs that can stop the HIV virus taking hold. It can be used after the event if you’ve been at risk of HIV transmission.
To work, PEP must be taken within 72 hours (three days) of the possible HIV exposure, and ideally should be taken within 24 hours.
PEP is an emergency measure to be used as a last resort. It is not guaranteed to work and taking PEP will not protect you from other sexually transmitted infections.
Where can I get PEP?
PEP is free from sexual health clinics, as well as at the Emergency Department in hospitals.
The clinician you see may ask you questions about the type of sex you had, sexual partners and, if your partner is HIV positive, their viral load, to determine the need for PEP.
PrEP
What is PrEP?
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a tablet taken by HIV-negative people before and after sex that reduces the risk of getting HIV. PrEP is now available free on the NHS in England from sexual health services.
You may benefit from taking PrEP if:
- You are a HIV-negative man having condomless sex with men, and other people who have sex within these networks
- You have a partner (or ex-partner) with HIV
- Your partner (or ex-partner) comes from a country with high rates of HIV
- You have condomless sex with a partner(s) and do not know their HIV status
- You are a trans or non-binary person and are regularly having condomless sex
- You exchange sex for money, drugs, shelter or another reason
- You are injecting drugs
- You think you may be at risk of HIV because of your sexual behaviour
Accessing PrEP
For an appointment to discuss accessing PrEP, please call us on 0300 124 0102.
Existing PrEP Users
If you are an existing PrEP user, to replenish your supplies there are various options.
- For a face-to-face appointment (where you can obtain your screening and PrEP supply) – please look online for bookable appointments or attend our walk in clinics
- For a telephone call (where you have a telephone consultation and attend to collect your PREP) – please contact us on 0300 124 0102 to make an appointment. (Please ensure you have had an HIV test result in the last 3 months with the service or SH24 if you opt for a telephone call)
We recommend that you plan to arrange your appointment when you open your last box of PrEP.
If you have run out of PrEP and are unable to obtain an appointment or the sexual health service is closed, then a single dose per day is available from Leicester Royal Infirmary’s Emergency Department. On arrival, please explain to the Assessment Nurse that you have run out of PrEP and need a single dose to tide you over. These assessments are usually handled at the initial triage stage on arrival at the Emergency Department.
You will then need to contact Leicester Sexual Health on the next working today to make an appointment for a new supply.
More information on PrEP
Websites such as Prepster and I Want PrEP Now offer some great information, advice and resources on PrEP.
Useful links