Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system — specifically, white blood cells called CD4-positive (CD4+) T-helper cells.

Those cells, which are sometimes referred to as CD4 cells, T-helper cells, or T4 cells, play an important role in identifying pathogens that invade the body and in marshaling an immune response against them. Left untreated, HIV infiltrates and destroys CD4 cells, impairing the immune system’s ability to fight off infections and diseases.

When the number of CD4 cells drops low enough, or certain infections related to an impaired immune system occur, a person may be diagnosed with the final stage of HIV infection: acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS.

When the immune system is weakened from AIDS, the body may have difficulty fighting off certain cancers or viral, fungal, or bacterial infections, and these conditions may prove fatal.

While there’s no cure for HIV yet, effective HIV treatment, known as antiretroviral therapy (ART), can reduce the amount of virus to undetectable levels, allow people to live longer, healthier lives, and help prevent the virus's transmission to others.

Common Questions & Answers

What is the difference between AIDS and HIV?

HIV is an abbreviation that stands for human immunodeficiency virus. If you are HIV positive it means that an HIV test has detected the presence of the virus in your body. HIV attacks your body's immune system.

AIDS is an acronym that stands for the disease caused by HIV, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is a late stage of infection in which the HIV virus has actively damaged the immune system.

What are the first signs of AIDS?

The first signs of AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, include rapid weight loss, drenching night sweats, extreme fatigue, swollen lymph glands, diarrhea, and pneumonia.

Can HIV kill you?

HIV leads to AIDs, which can kill you. Most people don't die of AIDs per se but of the many opportunistic infections that can occur as a result of the damage the disease does to the immune system.

What are the stages of HIV infection?

There are three stages of HIV infection: (1) acute HIV infection, which happens right after the virus has been transmitted and may cause a viral-like illness; (2) latency, a period of time during which the virus is inactive and a person may be unaware of infection, and (3) AIDs, during which the virus actively damages the immune system.

Is it possible to be infected with HIV and not know it?

Yes. One in seven people currently infected with HIV do not know they are infected, according to the CDC. Without treatment, most people infected with the virus will develop stage 3 disease within 2 to 15 years.

Signs and Symptoms of HIV/AIDS

There are three main stages of HIV infection, each with its own symptoms.

Stage 1: Acute HIV Infection

Within the first two to four weeks after HIV infection, about two-thirds of people will experience symptoms that feel like a really bad flu. As the immune system rallies to fight off the virus, fever may develop along with additional symptoms, such as sore throat, swollen glands, mouth sores, rashes, diarrhea, fatigue, headache, and muscle and joint pain.

This stage, called acute infection or primary HIV infection, can last for a few days, or it can stretch into weeks.

Stage 2: Clinical Latency

If the infection goes undiagnosed or untreated, the immune system can bring the HIV level down some, but it can’t completely control or contain it; the virus is still active but multiplies more slowly, often without causing any symptoms. This is also called the clinical latency stage, or chronic HIV infection, and it can last up to 15 years.

At this stage, people with HIV who aren’t taking medication still have a sufficient amount of virus in their system to transmit it to others, even if they don’t have symptoms, and the virus continues to damage the immune system over that time, leading to worsening health.

Stage 3: AIDS

If a person goes for years without treatment for HIV, the next and final stage is AIDS.

AIDS symptoms can include:

Sudden weight loss
Recurring fever
Night sweats
Fatigue and weakness
Swollen lymph glands
Chronic diarrhea
Sores in the mouth, anus, or genitals
Blotches on the skin, under the skin, or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids
Neurological issues, including memory loss and depression

Some of these symptoms may be the result of a so-called opportunistic infection, such as pneumonia, which an immune system badly damaged by HIV can’t effectively fight.

Learn More About Signs and Symptoms of HIV

Causes and Risk Factors of HIV/AIDS

HIV is spread by direct contact with certain body fluids from a person with HIV who has a detectable viral load. These fluids are:

Blood
Semen (cum) and preseminal fluid
Rectal fluids
Vaginal fluids
Breast milk

For transmission to occur, the virus in these fluids must enter the bloodstream of an HIV-negative person through a mucous membrane (found in the rectum, vagina, mouth, or tip of the penis), through open cuts or sores, or direct injection.

In the United States, HIV is mostly spread through sex, particularly anal and vaginal intercourse. People can also transmit HIV by sharing used injection equipment, such as syringes and other paraphernalia.

Mothers can spread HIV to babies during pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding.

HIV is a flimsy virus that can’t live for long outside the human body and can’t reproduce without a human host. That means it isn’t spread through saliva on silverware; from kisses on the cheek, hugs, sharing toilets, or closed-mouth kissing; or by mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects.

If a person is on effective antiretroviral treatment for HIV, they can lower their viral load to an undetectable level, at which point they effectively have no risk of sexually transmitting HIV to their HIV-negative partners.

Learn More About HIV Transmission

How Is HIV/AIDS Diagnosed?

Who Should Be Tested for HIV

The CDC recommends that everyone age 13 to 64 get tested for HIV at least once.

People more vulnerable to HIV should get tested more frequently. The CDC defines people in this higher-risk group as those who have:

Had more than one sex partner in the past year
Had an HIV-positive partner
Been diagnosed with or treated for hepatitis or tuberculosis or a sexually transmitted disease in the past year
Exchanged sex for drugs or money
Shared injection equipment

If you aren’t in any of these higher-risk groups but you think your partner may be, the CDC thinks you should be tested, too.

People who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant should also be tested. If you do have HIV, starting treatment in pregnancy can dramatically reduce the chance that your child will be born with HIV.

For men who have sex with men, the CDC recommends annual HIV testing but notes that some doctors may advise a schedule of every three to six months for certain patients, depending on other risk factors.

Types of HIV Tests

There are lots of options for HIV tests. There are tests that analyze saliva, blood, or even urine. Tests screen for different signs of HIV infection: antibodies (proteins your body makes to fight the virus); antigens (proteins on the surface of HIV cells that trigger the production of antibodies); or actual genetic material from the HIV virus.

Which test you take depends on how recently you think you may have been exposed to HIV, how long you want to wait for results, and how you feel about blood draws.

Nucleic acid test (NAT): 10 to 33 days after an exposure For people with flu-like symptoms and a recent high-risk exposure, a nucleic acid test (NAT) can detect HIV’s genetic material in the blood. This test must be taken in a clinic and is expensive. Usually, healthcare providers use it to confirm other tests.

Antibody/antigen test: 18 to 45 days after an exposure This test, commonly performed in a lab, checks for both antibodies and antigens. Antigens are detectable in the blood before antibodies develop, signaling the presence of HIV. An antibody/antigen test can be a rapid test that uses blood from a finger prick and delivers results in less than 30 minutes. Or it could be a test that uses blood drawn from a vein and delivers results in a few days.

Antibody test: 23 to 90 days after an exposure An antibody-only test uses a fluid sample swabbed from inside your cheek or blood from a finger prick. These rapid tests and at-home tests can detect HIV antibodies three weeks after exposure at the earliest and deliver results in 20 to 30 minutes. They are also good at detecting chronic HIV.

There are antibody-only tests that use blood drawn from a vein rather than a finger prick. These tests can typically detect the infection sooner after exposure but take several days to deliver results, and are conducted at a lab.

All positive antibody tests should be followed up with an additional test to confirm results.

Learn More About HIV Testing and Diagnosis

Diagnosis of AIDS

A person is diagnosed with AIDS when one of two things happen:

CD4 cell count drops from normal levels of 500–1,200 cells per cubic millimeter to 200 cells or fewer.
As the CD4 count drops, usually the volume of HIV in the blood, known as the viral load, rises.
Viral, fungal, or bacterial infections, and cancers, which healthy immune systems can fight off, emerge and worsen. These so-called AIDS-defining conditions are often the cause of death for people living with HIV who are not receiving treatment.

Prognosis of HIV

A positive diagnosis of HIV can be overwhelming, but effective treatment exists, and it’s important to start treatment as soon as possible. With the right medicines, people with HIV can now live longer, healthier lives with a very low risk of transmission to others.

Treatment and Medication Options for HIV

If you test positive for HIV, research shows that if you start taking medicine immediately (or even return to treatment after some time off) and stay on it, you can bring the amount of virus in your blood (your viral load) to undetectable levels, protect your immune system, and prevent transmission to others.

Agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend you start HIV treatment as soon as possible after diagnosis.

Talk to a healthcare provider about treatment choices and the resources that are available to you.

There are no-fee or low-cost programs that ensure that everyone, no matter their income or insurance status, can receive and stay on treatment.

Medication Options

There are more than 30 different HIV drugs, divided into eight classes. Known collectively as antiretroviral therapy (ART), they prevent the virus from replicating in different ways.

People typically take a combination of three drugs from at least two different classes, although new drug combinations require only two medicines, combined in one pill.

Most antiretroviral drugs need to be taken every day to work properly. Although it can be difficult to stick to this routine, it’s a must in order to keep your viral load (the amount of HIV in your body) low and avoid developing possible drug resistance.

In January 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first long-acting treatment for HIV. The once-a-month injection, administered by a healthcare provider, is a combination of cabotegravir and rilpivirine — sold under the brand name Cabenuva — and is meant for patients who have already lowered their viral load.

The shots could be especially beneficial for people who struggle with a daily pill schedule.

Side Effects of Medication

All medicines have potential side effects, and HIV medicines are no different. When you first start ART, you may experience:

Anemia
Diarrhea
Headache
Fatigue
Nausea
Nerve problems
Rash
Pain

When taken long term, certain HIV medicines can be associated with serious side effects, such as high cholesterol, lipodystrophy (gain or loss of body fat), diabetes, osteoporosis, or liver damage. Ask your doctor what to expect and how to stay healthy.

According to the NIH’s Office of AIDS Research, ART is recommended for all transgender people with HIV, though some antiretroviral drugs may interact with gender-affirming hormone therapy. Be sure your doctor is aware of any other medications and supplements you’re taking and that they are monitoring you.

Learn More About Treatment for HIV

Prevention of HIV

There a number of strategies that can reduce your risk of becoming infected with HIV or greatly lower the odds that you will transmit the virus to an HIV-negative partner.

If you are using ART regularly and precisely as prescribed and have lowered your viral load to consistently undetectable levels (which usually takes up to six months, followed by ongoing care

) your risk of transmitting the virus to a sexual partner is essentially zero. Research shows this method of HIV prevention is 100 percent effective in preventing sexual transmission.

You can also reduce your risk of getting or transmitting HIV if you and your partner:

Use HIV prevention medications, an approach called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
Take a combination of HIV medicines within 72 hours after you think you may have been exposed, an approach called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
Use condoms correctly and consistently
Have a circumcised penis
Never share drug injection equipment
Limit your number of sexual partners
Abstain from sex or choose less-risky sexual behaviors, such as oral sex or mutual masturbation instead of anal or vaginal sex
Get checked and treated for other sexually transmitted diseases

HIV can be passed from mother to child at any point during pregnancy, but if you’re pregnant and have HIV, you can prevent this by making sure you take your HIV medicines as directed so that you have an undetectable viral load. By adhering to treatment throughout pregnancy, labor, and delivery, and if your baby takes HIV medicine four to six weeks after birth, you can lower the risk of transmission to 1 percent or less.

To understand your options, consider checking out the CDC’s Risk Reduction Tool.

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)

The FDA has approved two oral medications to prevent HIV transmission: Truvada and Descovy. Both pills combine the medicine emtricitabine with a version of the drug tenofovir. When taken every day as directed, they have been found to be 99 percent effective in preventing sexual transmission of HIV and between 74 and 84 percent effective in preventing transmission of HIV through the shared use of injection equipment. Some people find it difficult to stick to a daily medication regimen, though.

In December 2021, the FDA approved the injectable drug Apretude (cabotegravir extended-release), a shot given once every two months. In clinical trials, Apretude was shown to reduce the risk of HIV by 69 percent for cisgender men and transgender women who have sex with men, compared with the daily PrEP drug Truvada in pill form. For cisgender women at high risk of HIV, the injection reduced the risk of contracting the virus by 90 percent over treatment with daily oral Truvada.

PrEP is recommended for people at high risk of becoming infected with HIV. This includes people who have a sexual partner with HIV (especially someone with an unknown or detectable viral load), people dating someone in the first six months of HIV treatment (before they reach undetectable status), sexually active transgender people, people attempting to conceive with a partner who is living with HIV, and people who have had a sexually transmitted infection in the past year.

For transgender women, preliminary data suggests that PrEP medicines do not reduce the effectiveness of gender-affirming hormones.

But estrogen has been found to slightly reduce the levels of PrEP drugs. It’s not yet known whether that decreases PrEP’s effectiveness. Research is ongoing.

PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis)

If you think you may have been exposed to HIV — for instance if a condom broke or you have experienced a sexual assault — you can also take medicine after the event to prevent yourself from acquiring HIV. If you visit a healthcare provider and begin taking the medicine within 72 hours of exposure, it can prevent any HIV in your system from setting up shop and proliferating. Emergency rooms are a common provider of PEP.

Once you start the medicine, you will take it for 28 days, until the medicine runs out. PEP is highly effective (though not 100 percent); the sooner it’s started, the better.

Complications of HIV

When HIV goes untreated, the virus itself can lead to twice the risk of heart disease, and increased neurological problems.

And that’s before HIV progresses to AIDS. Without treatment, the immune system’s CD4 cells become so damaged and destroyed that the body becomes susceptible to dangerous and fatal infections and certain cancers — specifically, lymphomas (cancers of the lymph nodes), Kaposi sarcoma (a blood vessel cancer), and invasive cervical cancer.

According to the CDC, if a person’s CD4 count falls below a certain level or a person develops one of these infections or cancers, they will be diagnosed with AIDS, the last stage of HIV. This usually happens after years of untreated HIV infection. You can reduce the chance you’ll be diagnosed with AIDS by taking antiretroviral therapy consistently and exactly as directed to reduce the amount of virus in your bloodstream.

People diagnosed with AIDS who are not on treatment are at high risk of becoming infected by a wide range of viruses and microbes, including bacteria, fungi, and parasites — these are called opportunistic infections (OIs) and include pneumonia and tuberculosis.

Usually, antiretroviral therapy restores the immune system and prevents OIs in people living with HIV. Still, some people aren’t diagnosed with HIV until they also qualify for an AIDS diagnosis. Or they may not be taking ART consistently, or their treatment isn’t keeping their viral load low enough for their immune system to do what it needs to.

Learn More About Complications of HIV

Research and Statistics: How Many People Have HIV/AIDS?

In 2019, close to 37,000 people were diagnosed with HIV in the United States, according to the latest figures available from the CDC. The annual number decreased by approximately 9 percent between 2015 and 2019.

The CDC further estimates that roughly 1.2 million people in the United States were living with HIV at the end of 2019, and that about 13 percent of those individuals were unaware they were HIV-positive.

Male-to-male sexual contact accounted for about 65 percent of new HIV diagnoses; heterosexual sexual contact, 23 percent; injection drug use, 7 percent; male-to-male sexual contact in combination with injection drug use, 4 percent.

Globally, the HIV pandemic continues, with an estimated 37.7 million people living with HIV in 2020, according to UNAIDS.

Anyone can acquire HIV, but the prevalence of HIV is not the same in all communities and varies depending on social and demographic factors.

Despite the existence of effective treatment, people still die of AIDS-defining illnesses, though it’s difficult to know how many. The CDC now identifies the number of people with HIV who died in a year, but it doesn’t separate out deaths from AIDS-defining illnesses. In 2019, 15,815 people living with HIV in the United States and dependent territories died of any cause.

HIV and Black and Latino Americans

While HIV can affect anyone, regardless of race or ethnicity, it impacts certain U.S. communities disproportionally. As the CDC notes, this is due to a number of social and economic factors — including stigma, discrimination, income, education, and geographic region — that can affect HIV risk.

According to the latest data from the CDC, Black Americans account for both a higher proportion of new HIV diagnoses and people with HIV, compared with other races and ethnicities. Specifically, in 2018, Black Americans made up 13 percent of the U.S. population but 42 percent of new HIV diagnoses.

An estimated 49 percent of new diagnoses in the transgender population were Black transgender women.

While women accounted for only about 19 percent of new HIV diagnoses in 2018, 57 percent of those diagnoses were among Black women.

Hispanic/Latino Americans accounted for 18 percent of the U.S. population in 2018 but 23 percent of people with HIV.

COVID-19 and HIV

People with HIV should be sure to get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19, because they are at increased risk of severe disease should they become infected.

All Americans age 5 and older are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. People 12 and up may get a booster if they received their second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least five months earlier, or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months prior.

Anyone with advanced or untreated HIV is particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 complications and requires extra protection. The CDC recommends that people who are fully immunized with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine receive a third dose as soon as 28 days after getting their second shot, and then potentially a fourth dose five months later.

There’s currently no evidence showing that the COVID-19 vaccine interacts with ART or PrEP.

Resources We Love

Favorite Organizations for HIV

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The CDC works 24/7 to protect Americans from health, safety, and security threats. From statistics to treatment options, the agency provides comprehensive information about HIV and AIDS.

HIV.gov

This organization collaborates with departments across the federal government to offer HIV-related information. It’s a great source for up-to-date news about treatments and events.

Clinical Info

Sponsored by the National Institutes of Health’s Office of AIDS Research, this site gives you access to the latest HIV/AIDS medical practice guidelines, clinical trials, and other research material. We like their glossary feature, which allows users to search different terms related to HIV and AIDS.

Greater Than AIDS

If you’ve got questions, Greater than AIDS has answers. The organization offers accessible HIV resources with more than 100 FAQs in both English and Spanish.

Favorite Online Support and Advocacy Networks

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF)

For more than 30 years, AHF has been committed to providing cutting-edge medical care to the public, regardless of a person's ability to pay. AHF gives patients access to specialists, medication, and services.

Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program

If finances are a problem, this resource is for you. The program helps people with HIV and AIDS get medical care and other services even if they don’t have health insurance or money to pay for their healthcare. The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program provides services to more than half a million people each year.

Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR)

AmfAR is one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and advocacy. Since 1985, the organization has invested nearly $600 million in its programs. They host different events, and their office in Washington, DC, educates governing figures, the media, and the public about evidence-based policies that address HIV and AIDS.

American Academy of HIV Medicine’s Referral Link

Looking for an HIV specialist? The American Academy of HIV Medicine is a group dedicated to supporting HIV care providers. Their Referral Link feature provides you with the most comprehensive, up-to-date database of HIV doctors around the country.

Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA)

HOPWA is the only federal program dedicated to serving the housing needs of those living with HIV and AIDS. Under this plan, HUD makes grants to local communities, states, and nonprofits for projects that benefit low-income people with HIV and AIDS.

Center for HIV Law and Policy

Disclosing your HIV status can sometimes be socially and professionally risky. This organization provides information and resources about the law as it pertains to HIV. You can even search different laws in your state.

Favorite Apps

Clinical Info HIV/AIDS from the NIH

With three different options, Clinical Info is your go-to app source. The Glossary app lets you search for definitions of more than 700 terms. Or you can try the Drug Database app, which provides access to information about different medicines. The Guidelines app provides information about federally approved HIV/AIDS medical practice guidelines. You can download one, two, or all three.

Life4me+

The Life4me+ app helps establish communication between physicians and patients. It lets you organize your medication schedule and set private personalized reminders. You can also enter your tests results in the app, so you always have them on hand.

Favorite HIV Home Testing Resources

myLAB Box

Need to take an STD test, but don’t want to leave your home? myLab Box offers kits that screen for STDs like HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, HPV, and more. Depending on the test, you’ll mail in a small sample of urine, a vaginal swab, or a prick of blood, and you’ll get your results in one to five days.

OraQuick

Testing couldn’t be any more convenient. This in-home HIV test is approved by the FDA and doesn’t require sending a sample to a lab. You can test yourself in the privacy of your own home with an oral swab. The kit gives you a result in 20 to 40 minutes.

Favorite HIV Blogs

The Body: HIV/AIDS Blog Central

Reading about others’ struggles and triumphs can help you in your journey. The Body’s network of blogs features first-person accounts from the HIV/AIDS community. The topics are diverse and designed to empower people with HIV.

Favorite Patient-Centered Annual Meetings

International AIDS Conference

The International AIDS Conference is the world’s largest conference on HIV and AIDS. It brings together scientists, policy makers, healthcare professionals, people living with HIV, funders, the media, and the community.

Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) Clinical Conference

The annual RWHAP Clinical Care Conference provides cutting-edge scientific research, care, and treatment updates for clinical decision-makers who are responsible for the day-to-day care and treatment of people living with HIV.

Favorite Information on Nutrition for HIV

The Well Project

If you’re living with HIV, nutrition is vital for your long-term health and well-being. The Well Project, a nonprofit that focuses on women with HIV and AIDS, offers resources on how to incorporate the ideal foods for optimal health. You’ll find information on how to fight weight and muscle loss, keep your energy levels high, and minimize side effects from HIV medication.

HIV/AIDS Awareness Days

Over the years, HIV and AIDS have gone from stigmatized and little-discussed conditions to the subjects of a number of awareness campaigns, walks, runs, and fundraisers throughout the year. By participating in these activities, you help bring awareness to the experience of those living with HIV and AIDS.

Learn More About HIV/AIDS Awareness Month

Additional reporting by Deborah Shapiro.

Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking

Life Cycle of HIV. Science of HIV.
About HIV. CDC. June 1, 2021.
Symptoms of HIV. HIV.gov. July 1, 2020.
AIDS and Opportunistic Infections: What Is AIDS? CDC. May 20, 2021.
How Is HIV Transmitted? HIV.gov. June 24, 2019.
Ways HIV Is Not Transmitted. CDC. April 21, 2021.
HIV Testing: Guidelines. CDC. January 21, 2020.
HIV and Pregnant Women, Infants, and Children. CDC. August 6, 2021.
Recommendations for HIV Screening of Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men — United States, 2017. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. August 11, 2017.
Types of HIV Tests. May 13, 2021. CDC. Types of HIV Tests.
Understanding a Positive Result. CDC. May 13, 2021.
CD4 Lymphocyte Count. MedlinePlus. November 30, 2020.
Factors That Increase HIV Risk. CDC. April 21, 2021.
Just Diagnosed: Next Steps After Testing Positive for HIV. HIVinfo.NIH.gov. March 9, 2020.
Life Expectancy for People Living with HIV. NAM/AIDS Map. May 2018.
HIV/AIDS. World Health Organization. November 30, 2020.
HIV Treatment as Prevention. CDC. February 22, 2021.
HIV Treatment: When to Start HIV Medicines. HIVinfo.NIH.gov. March 2, 2020.
Understanding Care. CDC. May 20, 2021.
Paying for HIV Care and Treatment. HIV.gov. September 3, 2021.
Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Adults and Adolescents Living With HIV. National Institutes of Health’s Office of AIDS Research. June 3, 2021.
FDA Approves First Two-Drug Complete Regimen for HIV-infected Patients Who Have Never Received Antiretroviral Treatment. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. April 8, 2019.
HIV Treatment. CDC. May 20, 2021.
FDA Approves Cabenuva and Vocabria for the Treatment of HIV-1 Infection. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. January 27, 2021.
Side Effects of HIV Medicines. HIVinfo.NIH.gov. October 24, 2019.
Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Adults and Adolescents Living With HIV: Transgender People With HIV. National Institutes of Health’s Office of AIDS Research. December 18, 2019.
Effectiveness of Prevention Strategies to Reduce the Risk of Acquiring or Transmitting HIV. CDC. November 12, 2019.
10 Things to Know About HIV Suppression. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. June 12, 2020.
HIV and Pregnant Women, Infants, and Children. CDC. September 22, 2021.
HIV Risk Reduction Tool. CDC.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). CDC. August 6, 2021.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) – for Clinicians. CDC. June 11, 2021.
PrEP Effectiveness. CDC. May 13, 2021.
HIV Frequently Asked Questions. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. December 12, 2019.
Interactions Between PrEP and Gender Affirming Hormones. NAM/AIDS Map. March 2021.
Hiransuthikul A, Janamnuaysook R, et al. Drug-Drug Interactions Between Feminizing Hormone Therapy and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Among Transgender Women: the iFACT Study. Journal of the International AIDS Society. July 12, 2019.
About PEP. CDC. April 21, 2021.
Neural Complications of HIV. Johns Hopkins Medicine.
What Are Opportunistic Infections? HIV.gov. July 16, 2019.
HIV Basic Statistics. CDC. August 4, 2021.
Global HIV & AIDS Statistics – Fact Sheet. UNAIDS.
HIV in the United States by Region. CDC. October 26, 2020.
HIV and Youth. CDC. September 20, 2021.
HIV in the United States and Dependent Areas. CDC. August 9, 2021.
HIV and Transgender People: HIV Diagnoses. CDC. September 17, 2021.
HIV and Women: HIV Diagnoses. CDC. September 22, 2021.
Impact on Racial and Ethnic Minorities. HIV.gov. February 1, 2021.
HIV and African Americans. CDC. August 9, 2021.
How Are HIV and AIDS Related to Cancer? American Cancer Society. July 25, 2014.
What to Know About HIV and COVID-19. CDC. August 27, 2021.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and People With HIV. HIV.gov. October 4, 2021.

Show Less

What Is HIV? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention