HIV/AIDS Q&As Answers to questions about HIV/AIDS * What is post-exposure prophylaxis treatment? ______________________________________________ What is post-exposure prophylaxis treatment? Explanation * had vaginal or anal sex with someone who is known to be HIV-positive; PEP treatment may also be considered in other circumstances. It isn't recommended for people who have oral sex without ejaculation into the mouth. You will have an HIV test before the medicines can be prescribed to check that you don't already have HIV. You will need to take medicines for about four weeks. Side-effects of PEP can be severe and include feeling sick, being sick, diarrhoea and tiredness. If the side- effects are severe, you may need to take time off work and need day-to-day help with activities such as shopping. You also need to try and stay healthy by eating well and getting enough sleep. Once you have finished the course, you should feel better. PEP is available at sexual health clinics, particularly specialist HIV clinics, and accident and emergency departments of hospitals. However, not every clinic or accident and emergency department will have PEP available. After 72 hours, you won't generally be prescribed it. PEP doesn't replace the need for safe sex and not sharing injection equipment. Even if you take these medicines within the time period, complete the course and take the medicines in the correct way, there is still a chance that you can develop an HIV infection. Condoms are a more effective way of preventing HIV. PEP is a last resort but you can ask for it to be prescribed if you know you have, 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. Always ask your doctor for advice and read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine. You will need follow-up visits three and six months after your treatment finishes to check you haven't become infected. Further information
I am pregnant and I have HIV. Is there a risk that I will pass HIV on to my unborn baby? Explanation If your male partner is HIV positive, sperm washing is available to reduce the risk of transmission of HIV when getting pregnant. This involves rapidly spinning semen in a laboratory to allow separation of the virus. All pregnant women are offered an HIV test during the early part of their pregnancy. Talk to your GP for further information about pregnancy and HIV. Further information Sources ________________________________________________ What is the difference between HIV and AIDS? Explanation When this happens, the number of CD4 cells which fight infections has decreased so much that your body is vulnerable to infections. If you develop certain life-threatening illnesses, this is known as advanced HIV infection (AIDS). 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 called late-stage or advanced HIV as this more clearly describes how the condition develops. Further information Sources ______________________________________________ Is there a cure for HIV/AIDS? Explanation Further information Sources
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