About HIV

These pages are for you if you’ve just been diagnosed with HIV. They might also be helpful if you’ve known for a while but did not want to find out more about HIV until now.

Information about both the tests that are used to diagnose HIV and those used to monitor the health of people living with HIV, including viral load and CD4 counts.

Treatment is recommended for all people living with HIV. It involves taking a combination of antiretroviral drugs. This stops the virus from replicating and allows the immune system to strengthen and fight infections.

Experimental strategies which we hope will one day lead us towards an effective vaccine, a functional cure or eradication of HIV. Also includes information about the biology and basic science of HIV.

Information about the different ways in which HIV can be passed on, as well as methods of HIV prevention including undetectable viral load, condoms and PrEP.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis involves people who do not have HIV taking antiretroviral drugs when they are at risk of exposure to HIV in order to prevent infection. The drugs are usually taken as pills (oral PrEP).

This section covers sexual health issues that go beyond HIV prevention, including the prevention and treatment of other sexually transmitted infections, contraception, sexual problems and relationship issues.

Information about the treatment, care and support of pregnant women living with HIV, children and young people living with HIV, and families affected by HIV.

Co-morbidities, health conditions, diseases, opportunistic infections and other clinical problems that sometimes occur in people living with HIV.

To take care of your health, you need to consider a range of health issues, not just HIV. An active and healthy lifestyle will reduce your risk of having other health conditions on top of HIV.

Hepatitis A, B and C are viral infections that can damage the liver and cause serious illnesses. Co-infection with HIV and hepatitis B or C is quite common. Safe and effective treatments are available.

Social, economic, legal and political issues that may affect the lives of people living with HIV, including stigma, discrimination, criminalisation, travel and insurance.

Getting the most from doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare providers.

Basic information about HIV.

Frequently asked questions about HIV.