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HIV/AIDS Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, March 2009.

Answers to questions about HIV/AIDS

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

What is post exposure prophylaxis treatment?

It's a course of anti-HIV medicines which can be given to you within 72 hours, to try prevent a HIV infection if you think you have been exposed to HIV. It should be given as soon as possible, preferably within one to two hours. There is a benefit if it is started within 24 to 48 hours.

Explanation

This course of treatment is available to health workers who may accidentally be passed HIV via infected needles. It's also more widely available in sexual health clinics, particularly specialist HIV clinics, and accident and emergency departments of hospitals. Not every clinic or accident and emergency department will have this available. After 72 hours, you won't generally be prescribed it.

Post-exposure prophylaxis or PEP is strictly prescribed because there is a very short amount of time (72 hours) in which it can be effective. After this point, the virus can't be reached with these medicines because it has entered the CD4 cells in the body. The side-effects to these medicines can be severe.

It's recommended that you take PEP if you have:

  • had vaginal or anal sex with someone who is known to be HIV-positive
  • had oral sex with someone and they ejaculated into your mouth and you do not know if they have HIV
  • had unprotected anal sex with someone and you do not know if they are HIV-positive or not
  • shared medical injecting equipment
  • a needle stick-injury

Other circumstances may also be considered for PEP treatment. It isn't recommended for people who have oral sex without ejaculation.

An HIV test is taken before the medicines can be prescribed to ensure you don't already have HIV. The course of medication is then taken for about four weeks. Side-effects include feeling sick, being sick, diarrhoea and tiredness. The side-effects can be so severe that you may need to take time off work and need day-to-day help with activities such as shopping. You also need to try stay healthy by eating well and getting enough sleep. Once you have finished the course, you will feel better.

Condoms are a more effective way of preventing HIV. PEP doesn't replace the need for safe sex and not sharing injection equipment. Even if you take these medicines within the time period and complete the course and take the medicines in the correct way, there is still a chance that you can develop an HIV infection.

PEP is a last resort but you can try to access it if you know or may have been exposed to HIV. For example, if a condom breaks and the person you have had sex with is HIV-positive. While you are taking PEP and after you have finished your course of PEP, you can still get HIV and should continue to have safe sex using a condom.

If you need to take these medicines, ask your doctor to explain how they should be taken. You will also need follow-up visits at three and six months to check you have not become infected.

Further information

Sources

  • Guidelines for prophylaxis following non-occupational exposure NAM. www.aidsmap.com, accessed 1 September 2008
  • Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) section. Terrence Higgins Trust (THT). www.tht.org.uk, accessed 29 August 2008
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What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?

HIV is a virus called the human immunodeficiency virus. If you have HIV, you have this virus in your body. AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is the general name given to the disease which HIV causes once your immune system is weakened.

Explanation

If you have the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), you may have no symptoms and feel well. After a number of years (the length of time differs between people) you may start to get infections because your immune system, which usually fights off these infections, isn't working properly.

When this happens, the number of CD4 cells which fight infections has decreased so much that the body is vulnerable to infections. If a person develops certain life-threatening illnesses, it is known as AIDS or advanced HIV disease.

HIV doesn't directly cause a specific type of infection but it weakens the body's ability to fight illnesses. This means you are vulnerable to infections, pneumonias and cancers which are linked to HIV.

AIDS is now more often referred to as late-stage or advanced HIV as this more clearly describes the progression of the condition.

Further information

Sources

  • HIV and AIDS. Terrence Higgins Trust (THT). www.tht.org.uk, accessed 29 August 2008
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Is there a cure for HIV/AIDS?

No, there isn't a cure.

Explanation

The medicines which you can take for HIV/AIDS aren't a cure. They work in different ways to target the virus and how it replicates (copies itself) so less of the virus is in the body. The medicines can't remove the virus completely from the body. They can help you have a near-normal life expectancy and a full and active life.

Further information

Sources

  • Treatment for HIV. Terrence Higgins Trust (THT). www.tht.org.uk, accessed 1 September 2008
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Related topics

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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: March 2009

 

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