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HIV Testing

At Stigma Health, we provide simple, convenient and judgement-free HIV tests. Get an HIV test Australia-wide with an instant referral — no appointment required.

What is HIV?

Human immunodeficiency virus, which is widely known as HIV, is the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). AIDS is a serious, life-threatening illness with a variety of symptoms. While there is no cure for HIV infection, it can be treated with medications to make patients feel better and to prolong life (1).

Recently developed treatments allow individuals infected with HIV to live for decades while still having a good quality of life. People can reduce the risk of HIV infection by limiting exposure to risk factors, such as: 

  • Correct and consistent use of male and female condoms during vaginal or anal penetration can protect against the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases as well. 
  • According to scientific studies, male latex condoms (when used consistently) have an 85% or greater protective effect against HIV.
  • Truvada, a Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), can be used to prevent people from contracting HIV. 

Worried about contracting HIV? We provide hassle-free HIV tests Australia-wide with instant referrals to 10,000+ pathology clinics. Get your test now or contact us for more information.

How is HIV spread?

HIV can be spread through bodily fluids, sharing needles or through blood transfusions. Pregnant women can also transmit HIV to their baby if they are infected. 

Although people are generally more informed about HIV, there is still a misconception that the virus can be spread by touching an infected person or making contact with surfaces like toilet seats. However, this is not true. HIV also cannot be transmitted through oral fluid such as saliva.

Here is how HIV can be spread:

  • Bodily fluids — These can include vaginal secretions, semen, rectal fluids (through sexual contact with an infected person) and blood. However, to get infected, these fluids must either come into contact with mucous membranes or go directly into the bloodstream. In terms of HIV transmission, anal sex is considered a type of sexual activity that can increase the risk of transmission.
  • NeedlesSharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs with a person who has HIV.
  • Blood transfusions — Infected blood or blood products can result in the virus being passed through transfusion. This is very rare in Australia but can happen in countries where blood and blood donors are not tested for HIV.
  • Pregnancy — Women infected with HIV can transmit the virus to their babies during pregnancy, at the time of birth, or through breastfeeding (4).

People with HIV who are taking antiretroviral therapy and are virally suppressed do not transmit HIV to their sexual partners. This means that antiretroviral therapy is crucial not only to improve the health of people with HIV, but also to prevent HIV transmission (5).

Sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs with someone who has HIV.​
Receiving unsafe blood transfusions

Are you at risk for HIV?

There are some specific categories of people who are at greater risk of HIV infection:

  • Being a gay or bisexual
  • Having unprotected anal or vaginal sex
  • Having another sexually transmitted infection such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea syphilis, herpes, and bacterial vaginosis
  • Sharing contaminated needles, syringes and other injecting equipment and drug solutions when injecting drugs
  • Receiving unsafe blood transfusions, injections, and tissue transplantation, and medical procedures that involve unsterile cutting or piercing
  • Health workers who are experiencing accidental needle stick injuries
  • Living in specific geographical areas. Over 2/3 of all people living with HIV live in the WHO African Region (5)
  • Exposure to the virus as a fetus or infant before or during birth or through breastfeeding from a mother who is HIV positive (6).

The rate of HIV notifications increased by 41% in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population between 2013 and 2016, compared with a 12% decline in Australian‑born non‑Indigenous people. As of 2017, HIV notifications are 1.6x as high as the Australian‑born non‑Indigenous population (3).

Symptoms of HIV infection

Many people infected with HIV may not feel sick for a long time. This is called an asymptomatic infection, and it’s possible to remain asymptomatic for several years following infection.

About two-thirds of the infected people develop an acute infection about two weeks after exposure, which is characterised by symptoms including:

  • Fever
  • Rash
  • Lymphadenopathy 
  • Pharyngitis
  • Myalgia 
  • Diarrhoea

As the infection progressively weakens the immune system, infected people may develop other signs and symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, fever, diarrhoea and cough (7).

Symptoms of HIV infection ​

Complications of untreated HIV

If HIV is untreated, severe illnesses may develop. These can include:

  • Severe bacterial infections
  • Tuberculosis
  • Cryptococcal meningitis
  • Cancers such as Kaposi’s sarcoma and lymphomas (5)

Getting tested for HIV is vital to maintaining your health and preventing complications from untreated HIV. Early detection allows for prompt treatment, which can improve quality of life and significantly reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to others. A simple HIV test can detect HIV sooner, often before symptoms develop, enabling individuals to take proactive steps to manage their health.

If you test positive, early treatment can help prevent severe illnesses like opportunistic infections or certain cancers associated with untreated HIV. HIV test results are confidential and can empower you to make informed decisions about your health. 

If you think you might be at risk, visiting a sexual health clinic or talking to your health care provider can be stressful. That’s why we provide instant HIV test referrals for 10,000+ pathology clinics across Australia. Get your test today or speak to a doctor for more information about your HIV test.

Detecting HIV early is key to living a long, healthy life. Don’t wait — get tested today.

How to test for HIV

HIV can be diagnosed through rapid HIV tests, including rapid diagnostic tests that provide same-day results. These tests make early diagnosis and timely linkage to treatment and care much easier. While HIV self-tests are widely available, it’s important to note that no single test can provide a full HIV diagnosis. Confirmatory testing must be carried out by a qualified health or community worker at a clinic or community centre (5).

The most commonly used HIV diagnostic tools are antibody tests, which detect antibodies produced by the immune system in response to HIV infection. Typically, antibodies develop within 28 days of infection. During this “window period,” antibody levels may be too low to detect with standard tests, and individuals may show no symptoms but can still transmit HIV to others. After a positive rapid test, a second test is essential to confirm the diagnosis and rule out any potential errors before starting treatment and care (5).

HIV Diagnosis​
Treatment people who have HIV (4)HIV​

How is HIV treated?

HIV can be effectively managed with treatment regimens consisting of a combination of three or more antiretroviral therapy (ART) drugs. While current antiretroviral therapy does not cure HIV, it significantly suppresses viral replication, allowing the immune system to recover, strengthen, and regain its ability to fight infections.

Since 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended lifelong antiretroviral therapy for all individuals living with HIV — this includes children, adolescents, adults, and pregnant or breastfeeding women — regardless of their clinical status. Current HIV treatment guidelines incorporate newer antiretroviral options with improved tolerability and higher efficacy. In 2019, WHO specifically recommended dolutegravir-based or low-dose efavirenz regimens as preferred options for first-line therapy (5).

HIV prevention has also been revolutionised by pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication taken by individuals at high risk of HIV to prevent infection. PrEP is highly effective when taken consistently, reducing the risk of HIV transmission through sexual contact or injection drug use. It is an essential tool in HIV prevention strategies and works by blocking the virus from establishing a permanent infection in the body. PrEP is recommended for those who are HIV-negative but may be exposed to the virus, such as individuals with HIV-positive partners or those engaging in behaviours that increase transmission risk. Used alongside condoms and regular testing, PrEP provides a powerful layer of protection in reducing new HIV infections.

Statistics about HIV

In 2023, there were approximately 39.9 million people worldwide with HIV/AIDS. Of these, 38.6 million were adults and 1.4 million were children. Most people with HIV are in low and middle-income countries (2).

A total of 38,172 notifications of HIV have been reported in Australia since 1984. Of these, 34,800 were male and 3,021 were female.

By the end of 2022, it was estimated that there were 28,870 people living with HIV in Australia. This represents an increase from the 27,545 people estimated in 2017. The largest number of notifications continues to be in the age group 30–39 years. 

An estimated 2,020 people (7%) living with HIV in 2022 were unaware of their HIV status, down from 2,899 (11%) in 2017. This highlights improvements in testing but underscores the importance of continued outreach to undiagnosed populations.

The proportion of people living with HIV in Australia was 0.14% in 2022, which was low compared with other high‑income and Asia‑Pacific countries.

In 2022, there were 555 HIV notifications, a 46% decline since 2013 (1,068 notifications) and a 38% decline since 2019 (895 notifications). This marks a significant drop from the 963 notifications in 2017, which had reflected the lowest level since 2010 at the time (3).

References

  1. Stevens LM, Lynm C, Golub RM. HIV Infection: The Basics. JAMA. 2012;308(4):419. doi:10.1001/jama.2012.4079
  2. HIV.gov. 2020. Global Statistics. [online] Available at: <https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/data-and-trends/global-statistics> [Accessed 28 November 2024].
  3. Kirby.unsw.edu.au. 2019. HIV, Viral Hepatitis And Sexually Transmissible Infections In Australia: Annual Surveillance Report 2023 | UNSW – The Kirby Institute For Infection And Immunity In Society. [online] Available at: <https://www.kirby.unsw.edu.au/research/reports/asr2023> [Accessed 28 November 2024].
  4. Malani PN. Human Immunodeficiency Virus. JAMA. 2016;316(2):238. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.7995
  5. Who.int. 2020. HIV/AIDS. [online] Available at: <https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-aids> [Accessed 26 September 2020].
  6. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/. 2016. Who Is At Risk Of HIV/AIDS?. [online] Available at: <https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/hiv/conditioninfo/risk> [Accessed 26 September 2020].
  7. Sti.guidelines.org.au. 2018. HIV – Australian STI Management Guidelines. [online] Available at: <http://www.sti.guidelines.org.au/sexually-transmissible-infections/hiv#clinical-presentation> [Accessed 26 September 2020].

What should I do if I’ve been exposed to HIV?

If you believe you may have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, do not proceed with a normal STI test. Visit a doctor, hospital or specialty clinic ASAP so you can receive preventative post-exposure treatment (PEP).

It can take up to 12 weeks for HIV antibodies to show up in your system. If you believe you may have been exposed to HIV and are outside of the 72-hour window (but within the 12-week window period), you can and should get tested immediately. However, it is important that you return or seek further medical advice after the 12-week window has passed to be tested again.

If you believe you may have been exposed to HIV and are distressed, visit our resources page and speak to a sexual health information line. Operating across Australia, these info lines can talk you through your concerns and help you get the attention you need.

FAQs about HIV

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) attacks the immune system using its cells to reproduce itself. This weakens the immune system over time, eventually resulting in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Early detection is our best weapon against HIV. That’s why Stigma Health is trying to make the process of getting tested much easier and less unnerving. With effective, early treatment, people can manage HIV and live long productive liveshowever, you need to know you have it for this to start!

After receiving a referral from Stigma Health, visit your Pathology Centre and get a simple blood test. Your blood will be tested for HIV antibodies found in the blood of anyone infected with the virus. If you’re concerned about having contracted HIV, it is extremely important that you do not engage in any sexual activity until you have the results and know that you (and your partner) are safe.

There is still no cure for HIV. However, taking prescribed antiretroviral drugs can suppress virus replication in your body and prevent the progression of HIV to AIDS.

It’s now possible to live a long and fulfilling life with HIV, but early detection and treatment is vital. Get tested today

Get a judgement free test today

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