Infectious Diseases
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks the immune system and causes HIV/AIDS. Learn how we prevent its spread and progression at UC Davis Health.
Medically reviewed by Dean Blumberg, M.D. on Nov. 12, 2024.
Personalized Care for All Stages of HIV
In the UC Davis Health Division of Infectious Diseases, we offer compassionate care for people with all stages of HIV. We also provide preventive care to help you protect yourself and others against HIV. You can rely on us for expert therapies, understanding support and a safe environment — no matter your situation.
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What Is HIV?
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes a lifelong infection. The virus attacks part of your immune system called CD4 cells, which are responsible for fighting infection and illness. HIV is a type of sexually transmitted infection (STI) because it can spread through bodily fluids during sex.
The HIV infection progresses through three stages:
- Acute HIV infection: During this first stage, you may experience passing flu-like symptoms. The virus multiplies quickly in your blood. This high viral load (amount in your blood) makes the infection very contagious to others.
- Chronic HIV infection: This second stage does not usually cause any symptoms. The virus keeps reproducing in your blood, which worsens the infection over time.
- Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS): AIDS is the most severe stage of HIV. The infection has damaged your immune system and impacts your overall health.
HIV Symptoms
Acute HIV does not cause lasting symptoms. In many cases, people develop symptoms two to four weeks after getting infected, but they go away within days or weeks.
Some people do not experience any signs of an HIV infection. It’s easy not to realize that you’ve been infected. You must get tested to know for sure.
Possible Early Signs of HIV
You may experience flu-like symptoms, such as:
- Chills
- Extreme tiredness
- Feeling achy
- Fever
- Mouth sores
- Sore throat
- Sweating during sleep
- Swollen or sore lymph nodes
Symptoms of AIDS
Left untreated, HIV can progress to AIDS over many years. AIDS can cause severe symptoms, including:
- Cognitive symptoms, such as memory loss or depression
- Discolored, blotchy skin on your face
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Frequent diarrhea
- Sores in your mouth or on your genitals
- Sudden and unexplained weight loss
- Sweating during sleep
Causes of HIV
HIV spreads through contact with bodily fluids from a person who is infected. The bodily fluids must enter your bloodstream directly or through a mucous membrane to cause HIV.
The mouth, penis, vagina, rectum and anus all have mucous membranes. As a result, HIV most commonly gets transmitted during unprotected sex. The virus also often spreads through sharing needles or syringes during drug use.
HIV can spread through contact with:
Blood
The virus spreads through contact with infected blood, such as through open cuts, wounds or injectable drug equipment.
Amniotic fluid or breast milk
Infection may be passed through the placenta from mother to baby during pregnancy. Also, breast milk carries HIV if infected, and the virus can spread through breastfeeding. This is called perinatal transmission.
Semen
HIV can spread through contact with infected semen or pre-seminal fluid, such as during unprotected sex or, in rare cases, oral sex.
Rectal fluids
The virus can spread through contact with infected rectal fluids, such as during anal sex or, in rare cases, oral sex.
Vaginal fluids
HIV spread through contact with infected vaginal fluids, such as during unprotected sex or, in rare cases, oral sex.
Diagnosis and Testing for HIV and AIDS
Anyone can get HIV, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone aged 13 to 64 get tested at least once. If you face a high risk for HIV, you should get tested regularly. Talk with your provider about your risk level and the testing options available.
We offer accessible testing for HIV/AIDS in a safe, caring environment. Our providers check for HIV using blood tests and oral tests, which involve swabbing inside your mouth to get a fluid sample. Where available, we do rapid HIV tests so you can get your results faster.
We discuss your risk factors for HIV and do a physical exam. With AIDS, you may have visible signs of infection such as a rash, sores or skin discoloration. We also check for infections called opportunistic infections, which often develop when you have a weakened immune system.
HIV and AIDS Treatments
You can trust our infectious disease specialists for expert HIV/AIDS care. We offer treatment if you think you’ve been exposed to the virus or if you receive a positive test.
Our team is here to help you process the diagnosis, learn about the infection and start treatment as soon as possible. While no cure exists for HIV or AIDS, lifelong treatment can reduce the amount of virus in your body and keep the disease from worsening.
Depending on your needs, your provider may recommend:
Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)
Antiretroviral therapy is the primary treatment for HIV and AIDS. ART involves a combination of medications that you take in pill form or receive as injections. ART works by stopping the virus from reproducing, which lowers your viral load. We offer the latest ART medications, including long-lasting injections. When taken correctly, ART may reduce your viral load to a point where you are no longer contagious.
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
PEP is an emergency treatment for when you think you’ve been exposed to HIV. It involves a strict 28-day medication therapy that significantly reduces your risk of developing the HIV infection. You must start the medication within 72 hours of being exposed to HIV for it to be effective. Our specialists provide PEP in a timely manner to help protect your health.
Clinical Trials
You have access to the latest HIV/AIDS therapies through clinical trials at UC Davis Health. Our infectious disease specialists are actively working on possible cures for HIV, including a CAR-T cell therapy that helps your own immune system control the virus.
Preventing HIV and AIDS
Education, safe sex and testing all support the prevention and spread of HIV. To reduce your risk of getting or spreading HIV:
Avoid Risky Sex
Follow safe sex practices and make sure you use a condom correctly every time you have sex. Having fewer sexual partners can also help lower your risk for HIV.
Don’t Share Drug Equipment
You should not use injectable drugs recreationally. If you do, however, make sure you don’t share needles and syringes with others.
Get Tested
Get tested regularly for HIV and other STIs, which can increase your risk of getting HIV.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
PrEP is a medicine that can reduce your risk of getting HIV through sex or injectable drug use. Your provider may recommend PrEP in pill form you take daily or as an injection you receive every two months. Taking PrEP can also protect your baby if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant and you have a partner with HIV.
Prevent Transmission
Take your HIV medication as instructed if you have HIV. Medication reduces the amount of virus in your body, which helps prevent it from spreading to others. Following your HIV treatment regimen can also protect your baby if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Who does it affect?
39.9MPeople live with HIV around the world
PrEP provides a
99%Reduction in risk of getting HIV from sexual contact
Sources: UNAIDS: Global HIV Statistics
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
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