STI - HIV and AIDS

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that weakens the immune system of people. If you have HIV and do not receive treatment, you may develop AIDS. An HIV infection weakens your body's natural defenses, making you vulnerable to infections that would normally be fought off if someone is healthy. If these infections are not treated in time, they can lead to death. HIV is transmitted through unprotected sexual contact, contaminated syringes, needles, infusion therapy, unscreened blood, tissue, and organs. It can also be passed from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth.

An HIV infection can be effectively treated nowadays, but the medications can be expensive and may not always be available in some developing countries. There is currently no vaccine for HIV. Individuals with an active HIV infection should sometimes not receive certain vaccines, such as the yellow fever vaccine.

Where do HIV and AIDS occur?

HIV infections occur worldwide, but not to the same extent everywhere. There is a significant problem, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa; in some countries, more than 10% of the adult population is infected with HIV (and therefore also contagious to others).

What are the symptoms?

If you become infected with HIV, you might experience mild symptoms resembling those of the flu, such as:

• Headache
• Fever
• Muscle pain
• Swollen lymph nodes

Following these initial symptoms, there is a period without symptoms. This phase can last for years. If you do not receive treatment for the HIV infection, you may eventually develop AIDS. Your immune system will be so weakened by then that your body will struggle to protect itself against other infections.

How to prevent HIV?

You can protect yourself from HIV by using condoms during sex. If you are at risk of HIV, it is also wise to get tested regularly. If you test positive for HIV, it is important to identify your sexual partner(s) so they can be tested and treated if necessary, to prevent further transmission.

Currently, there are no medications that can cure HIV, but there are antiretroviral drugs that suppress the virus. If you take these medications, you cannot transmit the disease to others.

More information

Would you like to know more about HIV and AIDS? Please visit the RIVM information page: HIV | RIVM.