Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that can cause Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Once HIV enters the body it attacks the immune system, breaking down its ability to fight disease and infections.

If left untreated, HIV will lead to AIDS, which develops when the immune system can no longer function to fight disease or infection.

HIV can be spread through unprotected sex, sharing of needles or other drug-injecting equipment, and through other blood-to-blood contact.  It can also be transmitted from mother to baby.
HIV cannot be transmitted casually such as by sharing eating utensils or by touch.

Diagnosis & Testing

Once diagnosed and treatment commenced, Healthscope Molecular provides a test to determine the amount of HIV in the blood  (called HIV viral load), using the latest technology from Roche Diagnostics called PCR, which stands for polymerase chain reaction, a biological ‘copy machine’ for making multiple copies of a specific DNA sequence. This test is important to determine whether the treatment is working.

Treatment

HIV is treated with a range of drugs, called anti-retroviral drugs. These drugs control the virus and limit the amount of damage it can do to your immune system. The aim of this treatment is to reduce the amount of HIV in your blood (your viral load) and allow your immune system to repair any damage that has occurred. Anti-retroviral drugs are given in combination and to find out if and when it is necessary to begin treatment, you must work with your doctor to monitor your health.