HIV/AIDS

HIV causes a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that gradually damages the body’s immune system. The immune system is an intricate network of cells, organs, and tissues that defends the body from infection and fights illnesses.

Specifically, HIV destroys CD4 cells. These are certain types of immune cells called white blood cells that play an important role in preventing illnesses and certain cancers.

Having an HIV infection makes you more susceptible to other infections and diseases. You may also develop more severe symptoms from ordinarily mild illnesses, such as influenza (the flu). HIV transmission usually occurs through sexual contact, but the virus can also spread when people share drug injection equipment (like needles). It can also be passed from a parent to a fetus during pregnancy.

HIV remains in your body for life and requires lifelong treatment. But a treatment called antiretroviral therapy can help reduce (or suppress) the amount of HIV in the blood to very low (or undetectable) levels. The amount of virus in a person’s blood is known as their viral load.

Reaching and staying at an undetectable viral load means there’s so little HIV in your body that you can’t pass the virus to others through sex and you’re less likely to become very sick from the virus.

HIV that’s left untreated or poorly managed can progress to AIDS, which is the final stage of HIV infection. It usually takes 8 to 10 years for HIV to turn into AIDS, though this can vary. Someone with AIDS has a high viral load and a severely damaged immune system. Without treatment, people with AIDS typically die within three years.

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HIV/AIDS is common and widespread. According to the World Health Organization (WHO):

• Approximately 39.9 million people in the world were living with HIV at the end of 2023. The majority of them live in Africa.
• An estimated 1.3 million people around the world acquired HIV in 2023.
• HIV/AIDS has taken the lives of an estimated 42.3 million people globally since the start of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in 1981.

Increased HIV/AIDS awareness and expanded access to treatment have driven down rates of HIV. Estimated HIV infections in the U.S. dropped 12 percent between 2018 and 2022, according to the CDC. Most people in the U.S. with HIV don’t develop AIDS thanks to advances in treatment.

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There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. Both HIV types can lead to AIDS if they’re left untreated.

• HIV-1 is responsible for more than 95 percent of HIV infections. It’s found in countries all over the world. HIV-1 is more easily spread than HIV-2.

• HIV-2 is found mostly in West Africa, though some cases are present in the U.S. Fewer than 1 percent of HIV cases in the U.S. are caused by HIV-2, according to research from the CDC. 

Though uncommon, it’s possible to be infected with both HIV-1 and HIV-2. This is known as a dual infection.

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The signs and symptoms of an HIV infection vary by person and according to the infection’s stage.

Stage 1: Acute HIV infection

The first stage of HIV is known as acute HIV, or the primary infection. Roughly two thirds of people with acute HIV develop a flu-like illness around two to four weeks after the infection occurs. Symptoms typically involve:

• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Joint pain
• Chills
• Headache
• Skin rash
• Night sweats
• Fatigue
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Mouth sores
• Unexplained weight loss
• Diarrhea
• Swollen lymph nodes, usually on the neck. (Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures located throughout the body that are a part of the immune system.)

Acute HIV symptoms may range from barely noticeable to severe. Some people don’t experience any symptoms. Even so, the viral load is high during this period. HIV is most easily spread to others during the acute stage, which may last several days to a few weeks.

Keep in mind that these symptoms are often caused by other, more common illnesses, such as the flu or COVID-19. But if you experience these symptoms and believe you may have been exposed to HIV, promptly speak with a healthcare provider (HCP) about HIV testing (more on this below).

Stage 2: Chronic HIV infection   

Chronic HIV infection, also known as the clinical latency stage, may not involve any symptoms. This stage usually lasts around 10 years if a person is not taking antiretroviral therapy to treat HIV, though the timeframe can vary.

Someone with a chronic HIV infection has a low viral load and is less likely than someone in the acute stage to transmit the virus to others. But HIV transmission during the chronic stage is still possible if the infection is untreated and the virus remains at detectable levels.

It’s also possible for untreated chronic HIV to cause symptoms and other infections as it continues to damage the immune system. This may involve:

• Flu-like symptoms (such as those caused by acute HIV)
• Pneumonia
• Oral yeast infection (thrush)
• Shingles  
• Tuberculosis
• Severe bacterial infections

HIV can also worsen existing infections, such as mpox, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.

Stage 3: AIDS

An HIV infection that remains untreated will eventually progress to AIDS. This is the final stage of HIV. AIDS is marked by a severely damaged immune system, a high viral load, and a low CD4 cell count. While a healthy individual may have a CD4 count of 500 to 1,200 cells per cubic millimeter (mm3), someone with AIDS usually has a CD4 count under 200 cells per mm3.

Possible signs and symptoms of AIDS include:

• Rapid weight loss 
• Frequent, severe fatigue
• Recurring fever
• Persistent swollen lymph nodes on the neck, underarms, or groin area
• Intense night sweats
• Pneumonia
• Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week
• Blotches of skin discoloration
• Sores on the genitals, anus, or inside of the mouth

Some of these symptoms are the result of opportunistic infections or illnesses. These occur because the immune system—the body’s defense against disease—is severely damaged from HIV. Some opportunistic infections are known as AIDS-defining illnesses, which means their presence may indicate AIDS regardless of an individual’s CD4 cell count. (Continue reading to learn more about opportunistic infections).

Someone with AIDS can easily spread HIV to others. Contact an HCP right away and avoid sexual contact if you experience possible symptoms of HIV/AIDS.  

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HIV is spread through certain body fluids. These include:

• Blood
• Breast milk
• Semen (cum)
• Pre-seminal fluid (pre-ejaculate or pre-cum)  
• Vaginal fluids
• Rectal fluids

HIV transmission occurs when body fluids from an infected individual enter another person’s body. This can happen during:

Sex: HIV is most often spread through anal sex, through transmission can also occur through vaginal sex. Transmission through oral sex is uncommon. Using a latex or polyurethane condom correctly and consistently can help prevent the spread of HIV and other STIs.

Needle sharing: Transmission of HIV can occur when people who have HIV/AIDS share needles and syringes, such as those used to inject illicit drugs.

Pregnancy: A pregnant person with HIV can transmit the virus to their fetus during pregnancy or childbirth. HIV can also spread to a baby while breastfeeding. That said, HIV among children is rare in the U.S.

Someone who has achieved undetectable levels of HIV through antiretroviral therapy cannot transmit HIV to others. Staying at an undetectable level for at least 6 months means that the virus is “durably undetectable.”

HIV is not transmissible through basic actions such as shaking hands, hugging, or sharing food or water. It isn’t spread through insect bites, saliva, toilet seats, or airborne droplets from sneezing or coughing.

Can you get HIV from a blood transfusion?

It’s theoretically possible to acquire HIV after receiving a transfusion with blood from an HIV-positive donor, and this route of transmission did occur in some cases in the past. Today, however, blood banks and hospitals in the U.S. take extensive precautions to screen donated blood for HIV prior to transfusion, which has essentially eliminated this risk. Latest estimates from the CDC say that the chances of transmitting HIV through blood transfusion in the U.S. is less than one in a million.

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People of all ages, backgrounds, and sexual orientations can get HIV/AIDS. But people with one or more risk factors are more vulnerable to HIV infection than others. Established risk factors for HIV/AIDS include:

Unprotected sex: Having anal or vaginal sex without a condom increases the risk of infection with HIV and other STIs. The more sexual partners you have, the greater your risk of HIV. Using a latex or polyurethane condom according to package directions every time you have sex can lower your risk.

Male-to-male sexual contact: Being a man or person assigned male at birth (AMAB) who has sex with other men or people AMAB is a significant risk factor for HIV infection. According to the CDC, 67 percent of HIV diagnoses in 2022 were among men who reported male-to-male sexual contact. Transgender women who have sex with men are also at an increased risk.

Race and ethnicity: Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx people are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. This is true across heterosexual, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations. Various factors, including racial health disparities and unequal access to health care, influence these HIV rates.

Other STIs: Having an STI (such as chlamydia, herpes, syphilis, or gonorrhea) increases your risk of HIV. The virus can enter the body through genital sores caused by these STIs.

Shared needle use: Using contaminated needles or other equipment to inject illicit drugs is a risk factor for HIV/AIDS. Around 7 percent of HIV diagnoses in 2022 were among people who injected drugs, according to the CDC.

Substance use: Using substances like alcohol or illicit drugs (such as meth, cocaine, or illegally obtained opioids) can make someone more likely to engage in risky behaviors like sharing needles or having unprotected sex.  

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The CDC advises everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 to be tested for HIV at least once. Most HIV tests involve evaluating a saliva sample or a blood sample taken from a finger prick or vein.

People with certain HIV risk factors should get tested more frequently. If you are experiencing possible symptoms of an HIV infection and think you may have been exposed to the virus, visit an HCP for testing right away.

In general, you should receive an HIV test at least once each year if you:

• Have sex with someone who has HIV
• Engage in male-to-male sexual contact
• Had multiple sexual partners since your last HIV test
• Exchange sex for money or goods
• Have another STI, hepatitis, or tuberculosis
• Share drug injection equipment, such as needles or syringes 
• Have a sexual partner with an unknown sexual history or who meets any of the above criteria

Men and people AMAB who are sexually active with other men and people AMAB should consider getting tested for HIV every 3 to 6 months.

Pregnant people should also be tested for HIV and other STIs. If you test positive for HIV during pregnancy, treatment can help prevent the infection from spreading to the fetus. Medication can reduce a baby’s chances of getting HIV to lower than 1 percent.

Visit an HCP to learn more about HIV testing or to receive a test. You can also find free or low-cost HIV testing providers in your area on the CDC’s GetTested website.

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Around 1 in 8 people in the U.S. with HIV are unaware they’re infected. Getting tested is the only way to know for sure if you have HIV/AIDS. An HCP such as a primary care provider can provide HIV testing, or you can purchase an HIV self-test online or at a pharmacy. Many hospitals, substance use treatment centers, medical clinics, and community health centers also offer HIV testing.   

What are the types of HIV tests?

There are three main types of HIV tests:

Antibody test: This blood or saliva test screens for antibodies related to HIV. An antibody is a protein that the immune system produces in response to germs like viruses and bacteria. Testing positive for HIV antibodies indicates you have HIV. HIV self-tests and most rapid tests are antibody tests.

Antigen/antibody test: This blood test screens for both antibodies and antigens related to HIV. An HIV antigen is a part of the virus that activates the immune system. Antigen/antibody tests are the most common type of HIV test in the U.S. One type of rapid HIV test is an antigen/antibody test.

Nucleic acid test (NAT): This blood test screens for HIV itself. Nucleic acid tests can detect HIV sooner than other types of testing and can determine how much virus is in the blood. It’s also referred to as an HIV viral load test. 

How quickly you’ll receive the results of an HIV test will depend on what type of test was used. Rapid tests and self-tests, which screen blood from a finger prick, usually offer results in 30 minutes or less. Antigen/antibody tests and nucleic acid tests screen blood collected from a vein and require testing in a lab. They may take several days to deliver results.  

What is the HIV testing window period?

An important consideration of HIV testing is the window period. This is the time it takes for the virus to build up in the blood and become detectable on a test. Because no diagnostic method can immediately detect HIV, you may want to wait several days after possible exposure to get tested.

The window periods for HIV tests are as follows:  

• Nucleic acid tests: 10 to 33 days after exposure
• Non-rapid antigen/antibody tests: 18 to 45 days after exposure
• Rapid antigen/antibody tests: 18 to 90 days after exposure
• Antibody tests: 23 to 90 days after exposure

If you suspect you may have been exposed to HIV or have tested positive for the virus, don’t have sex until your HCP says it’s safe to do so.

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There’s no single way to handle an HIV diagnosis. But sharing your questions and concerns with your HCP can help you better understand your condition and play an active role in your treatment. Keeping a running list of questions to ask your HCP may be helpful as you work toward reaching undetectable viral load status. Remember, being open and honest with your HCP can help you receive appropriate care.

Some frequently asked questions about HIV/AIDS include:

• What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?
• How often should I be tested for HIV?
• What are my HIV treatment options?
• How can I reach and stay at an undetectable viral load?
• How can I prevent transmitting HIV to others? How can I protect my partner(s)?
• Can HIV be cured?
• How can I prevent HIV from progressing to AIDS?
• Is AIDS reversible? 
• Is there an HIV vaccine?
• How will HIV affect my daily routine?  
• How can I strengthen my immune system?
• How soon can I have sex after an HIV diagnosis?
• How can I manage HIV/AIDS with other medical conditions?
• Could I benefit from speaking with a licensed mental health provider?

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There’s no cure for HIV. But antiretroviral drugs can suppress the virus and help people live long, healthy lives. The primary goal of HIV treatment is to reach and maintain an undetectable viral load, which means you can’t transmit HIV to others through sex. Reaching an undetectable viral load will also lower the risk of HIV complications and prevent HIV from progressing to AIDS.

What is antiretroviral therapy?

All stages of HIV—including AIDS—are treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART). This is a regimen of medication selected from multiple drug classes that work to lower your HIV load in different ways. Having less HIV in your body means your immune system can produce more infection-fighting CD4 cells, which help you stay healthy.

Many antiretroviral therapy plans include medications from at least two drug classes. Several factors will determine which HIV medications are right for you. These include your overall health, stage of HIV, and any medications you may be taking for other conditions.

Some HIV medications work by preventing the virus from copying itself and multiplying in the body. These include:

• Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), such as rilpivirine, efavirenz, and doravirine
• Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), such as emtricitabine, abacavir, lamivudine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Combination NNRTI and NRTI medications are also available, including emtricitabine-tenofovir alafenamide fumarate and emtricitabine-tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.
• Protease inhibitors (PIs), such as darunavir, atazanavir, and lopinavir-ritonavir
• Integrase inhibitors, such as cabotegravir, dolutegravir, bictegravir sodium-emtricitabine-tenofovir alafenamide fumarate, and raltegravir  
• Capsid inhibitors, such as lenacapavir

Other classes of HIV medication work in different ways:

• Entry or fusion inhibitors, such as enfuvirtide and fostemsavir, disrupt the virus’s ability to affect CD4 cells.
• CCR5 antagonists, like maraviroc, prevent HIV from entering certain immune cells. 
• Post-attachment inhibitors, such as ibalizumab-uiyk, obstruct CD4 receptors on select immune cells.
• Pharmacokinetic enhancers slow the breakdown of medications and allow them to remain in the body longer, increasing their effectiveness. This drug is combined with other HIV medications.   

Antiretroviral therapy may be administered in pill, shot, or liquid form. Liquids and pills are generally recommended for people who are just beginning HIV treatment. Shots are more appropriate for people who have reached and maintained an undetectable viral load for several months. These long-acting HIV shots may be given by an HCP once a month or every other month. 

Whether your HIV treatment plan includes liquids, pills, or shots, it’s important to carefully follow your HCP’s instructions. Skipping doses increases the risk of drug resistance. Drug resistance occurs when HIV changes its form (mutates) and blocks the therapeutic effects of medication. This makes HIV more difficult to treat. Drug-resistant HIV strains can also spread to other people.  

What are the possible side effects of HIV medication?

All drugs, including those used to treat HIV, come with the potential for side effects. Possible side effects of HIV drugs include: 

• Increased blood sugar levels
• Changes in cholesterol levels
• Diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
• Rash
• Dry mouth
• Trouble sleeping
• Fatigue
• Dizziness or headache
• Heart disease 
• Osteoporosis
• Kidney or liver damage

Promptly contact your HCP if you develop any unexpected, persistent, or severe side effects. Your HCP may recommend treatments to ease side effects or they may adjust your medications. Check with your HCP before stopping, starting, or changing the dosage of any medication.

Overall, the benefits of HIV medication far outweigh the risks. Advances in antiretroviral therapy are improving the safety of HIV medications, making serious side effects less common.

When should I start HIV treatment?

It’s best to begin HIV treatment as soon as you receive a diagnosis. Starting antiretroviral therapy as quicky as possible can minimize damage to the immune system and lower the risk of HIV complications.

Getting HIV treatment right away is especially important for people who:

• Have an HIV infection that began within the previous six months
• Are pregnant
• Have HIV-related infections and illnesses
• Have AIDS  

How long does HIV treatment last? 

Most people can achieve an undetectable viral load in six months or less with appropriate antiretroviral therapy and adherence to prescribed treatment guidelines. But keep in mind that HIV requires lifelong treatment. Without HIV medication to suppress the virus, the amount of HIV in your body will quickly rise and become detectable again.

An HCP will continue to monitor your CD4 cell counts and viral load after you’ve reached undetectable status to ensure treatment is still working. In general, levels of CD4 cells in the blood are tested every 3 to 6 months. Viral load tests (or nucleic acid tests) are typically performed a few weeks after starting HIV treatment and every 3 to 6 months thereafter.

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HIV/AIDS can damage multiple areas of the body and cause a wide range of complications. Starting antiretroviral therapy as soon as possible can lower your risk of HIV-related illnesses and infections.

Potential complications of HIV/AIDS include, but aren’t limited to:

Opportunistic infections   

A person with HIV/AIDS has a weakened immune system. That means they are more likely to develop certain infections or experience particularly severe symptoms from infections that are ordinarily mild. These illnesses are referred to as opportunistic infections.

Some of the most common opportunistic infections associated with HIV/AIDS include:

• Candidiasis (thrush): A fungal infection that can develop in the vagina, lungs, bronchi, trachea, esophagus, or mouth
• Pneumocystis pneumonia: A lung infection caused by Pneumocystitis jirovecii fungi
• Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection: A viral infection that can lead to genital herpes, eye inflammation, brain infections, and other conditions 
• Salmonella infection: A bacterial infection and the most common bacterial cause of food poisoning
• Tuberculosis (TB): A contagious bacterial infection that occurs in the lungs and may spread to the brain, eyes, kidneys, and other parts of the body  
• Toxoplasmosis: A brain infection caused by a parasite that’s primarily transmitted through contact with cat stool (poop)

Cancer 

AIDS significantly increases the risk of certain types of cancer, including:

• Kaposi sarcoma: Cancer that forms in walls of blood vessels
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Cancer that forms in white blood cells
• Cervical cancer: Cancer that forms in the cervix, the part of the female reproductive system that connects the uterus to the vagina

These cancers are known as AIDS-defining cancers, meaning their presence usually indicates that HIV has progressed to AIDS.

Other cancers that are more likely to affect people with HIV/AIDS include:

• Hodgkin lymphoma: Cancer that forms in white blood cells and contains abnormal cells called Reed-Sternberg cells
• Skin cancers: Cancer that forms in skin cells
• Anal cancer: Cancer that forms in the tissues of the anus, which is the opening where stool exits the body
• Liver cancer: Cancer that forms in the liver, an organ located in the upper right corner of the abdomen
• Mouth and throat cancers: Cancers that form in tissues of the gums, tongue, mouth, or throat

Neurological issues

Neurological complications of HIV typically occur when the disease has advanced to AIDS. Inflammation caused by HIV can damage the nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and disrupt nerve function. This is sometimes known as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). Among adults with AIDS, around half have HIV-related neurological complications.  

Possible neurological complications of HIV/AIDS include:

• Dementia: A group of neurodegenerative conditions characterized by gradual decline in thinking, memory, language, and reasoning skills
• Neuropathy: Intense pain or weakness caused by nerve damage
• Cryptococcal meningitis: A fungal infection of the tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord
• Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML): A viral infection that damages the brain’s white matter, located deep within the brain
• Neurosyphilis: A complication of syphilis (an STI) that occurs when the infection spreads to the nervous system and damages nerve cells  
• Vacuolar myelopathy: A condition in which small holes form in the nerves of the spinal cord, causing difficulty walking
• Psychological issues: HIV-related mental health issues may involve anxiety, depression, behavioral changes, confusion, and hallucinations. People with HIV may also face unfair and outdated stigma, which can add to emotional distress.

Other conditions  

Other medical conditions that are common among people with HIV/AIDS include: 

• Cardiovascular disease: This is a group of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. Cardiovascular disease risk may be 50 to 100 percent higher in people with HIV than those without.  
• Hepatitis: This is a viral liver infection that may be transmitted through sex or by injecting drugs. There are several types of hepatitis. Around one-third of HIV-positive people in the U.S. have hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
• Nephropathy: This is a kidney disease that causes inflammation in parts of the kidney that filter waste and excess fluid from blood.
• Wasting syndrome: This refers to significant weight loss that can occur with untreated HIV/AIDS.  

Contact your HCP right away if you have HIV/AIDS and experience new or unusual symptoms.

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HIV is preventable. Here’s how you can avoid HIV and prevent transmission to your partner or partners:

Practice safe sex. Use a new, latex or polyurethane condom every time you have vaginal or anal sex. Use only water-based lubricants, as oil-based products can damage condoms and cause them to break.   

Know your status. Get tested for HIV and other STIs before having sex with a new partner. Encourage your partner or partners to do the same.

Adhere to your treatment plan. If you have HIV, take antiretroviral therapy exactly as prescribed. This can help you reach an undetectable viral load and prevent HIV from spreading to others through sex. Avoid having sex until your HCP says it’s safe to do so.

Use sterilized needles. If you inject drugs, avoid sharing needles and make sure the needles you use are clean. Consider seeking help for drug use. Contacting the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA) National Helpline is a good place to start.

Seek care immediately if you’re pregnant. If you’re pregnant and have HIV, receiving antiretroviral therapy can significantly reduce the chances of passing the infection to your baby.

AIDS can be prevented by receiving HIV treatment during the acute or chronic stage of HIV. If you test positive for HIV, start antiretroviral therapy as soon as possible.

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Medication is another important tool in preventing HIV. Pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure prophylaxis are effective prevention strategies that are used in different scenarios.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

When used as prescribed, pre-exposure prophylaxis medication reduces the risk of acquiring HIV through sex by around 99 percent. In people who use needles, HIV risk is reduced by at least 74 percent.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two daily oral medications for PrEP: emtricitabine-tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine-tenofovir alafenamide. These drugs are also used to treat HIV.

Cabotegravir, a long-acting injectable form of PrEP, is also approved by the FDA. This is a shot that’s given by an HCP every other month. 

You may be a candidate for PrEP if you’re HIV-negative, had anal or vaginal sex in the last six months, and:

• Have been diagnosed with an STI (other than HIV) in the previous six months
• Haven’t used a condom consistently or correctly
• Have a sexual partner with HIV

You may also want to consider PrEP if:

• You or your partner is HIV-positive and you wish to get pregnant
• You’re HIV-positive and are breastfeeding
• You inject drugs and share drug injection equipment 
• An HCP has prescribed you post-exposure prophylaxis (more on this below) at least once and you continue to engage in behaviors that increase your HIV risk

Speak with your HCP to learn more about PrEP and whether it’s right for you.

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)

Post-exposure prophylaxis is a brief course of antiretroviral medication that’s taken after possible exposure to HIV. Viewed as an emergency measure, using PEP within 72 hours (three days) after the exposure can help prevent an HIV infection. If PEP is taken more than 72 hours after exposure, however, it won’t prevent HIV. PEP is not intended for regular use. 

PEP is an option for people who are HIV-negative and may have been exposed to HIV through:

• Unprotected sex or sex involving a broken condom
• Sexual assault
• Shared use of drug equipment 
• Accidental workplace exposure in healthcare or laboratory settings involving used needles (though this scenario is rare)

Visit a hospital emergency department or contact your HCP immediately if you think you may have been exposed to HIV. The sooner you begin PEP, the greater your chances of preventing HIV.

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HIV remains in a person’s body for life. But while HIV is a long-term disease, early detection and improvements in antiretroviral therapy allow many people with the condition to have healthy sexual relationships and live long, full lives.

One 2023 analysis of studies, published in The Lancet HIV, found that HIV-positive adults who received antiretroviral therapy for at least one year and had high CD4 cell counts had life expectancies just a few years lower than the general population. HIV-positive people with low CD4 cell counts had significantly lower life expectancies, underscoring the importance of timely diagnosis and ongoing treatment.

Globally, AIDS-related deaths dropped 69 percent between 2004 and 2023. Approximately 630,000 people died of AIDS-related illnesses in 2023. By comparison, there were roughly 2.1 million AIDS-related deaths in 2004.  

Speak with your HCP to learn more about your HIV diagnosis. You can help improve your outlook by carefully following your HCP’s treatment instructions, avoiding risky behaviors (such as drug use and unprotected sex), and diligently managing other conditions or HIV complications you may have.

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HIV is a serious but manageable infection. If you’re living with HIV or AIDS, it’s important to prioritize your mental and physical health as you work to achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load. Following a few steps can help you do this:

Listen to your HCP

Take all medications exactly as prescribed by your HCP, including at the suggested times of day and with (or without) food. Attend all medical appointments and health screenings as recommended by your HCP. Receiving regular medical care can help prevent HIV complications and allow your HCP to detect issues early, when they’re typically easier to treat. 

Inform others

If you have HIV, your current and past sexual partners should be informed and receive testing and treatment as soon as possible. You can tell your partner(s) about your diagnosis yourself, or you can ask your local health department to do so through what’s known as “Partner Services.” Speak with your HCP if you’d like to use a Partner Services program.

Make healthy choices

Seemingly small decisions to improve your health can have a big impact if you’re living with HIV. You can help support your immune system and feel your best by:

• Quitting or avoiding smoking
• Receiving immunizations (such as the flu shot or pneumococcal vaccine) as recommended by your HCP
• Getting regular exercise
• Eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains  
• Practicing caution when handling raw foods (to prevent foodborne illnesses) and when spending time around animals (to prevent parasitic and bacterial infections)  
• Avoiding other people who are sick and practicing good hygiene, including washing your hands thoroughly and often

Find support

If you have the option to do so, share your HIV diagnosis with trusted friends or family members who can support you and help you cope. You may also consider attending an HIV support group or speaking with a licensed mental health provider in person or online. Living with HIV can sometimes feel frightening or isolating, but you don’t have to face it alone.  

Other mood-boosting practices include:

• Yoga
• Tai chi
• Exercise (including taking simple walks)
• Massage therapy
• Meditation and mindfulness  
• Spending time outdoors (for example, tending a garden or simply enjoying the sunshine)  

If you or someone you know is struggling with intense feelings of anxiety, depression, or hopelessness, contact the 988 Lifeline. This service is free, confidential, and available 24/7/365.

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Contact an HCP to learn more about HIV/AIDS, including its signs and symptoms, prevention strategies, and how you can live well with HIV. You can also find HIV services in your neighborhood by using the HIV.gov Testing Sites & Care Services Locator. 

Other helpful resources are available from the following organizations:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

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