FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions

No, but left untreated HIV develop into AIDS.

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS happens when the HIV virus is left untreated and has attached the immune system to such an extent it no longer works (immune deficiency). At this stage a person will start to get sick usually with a collection of illnesses (acquired), which is called a syndrome.

If you have HIV, finding out means you can start treatment, stay healthy and avoid passing the virus onto anyone else. The sooner you start treatment, the less likely you are to become seriously ill. The medicines will control the virus so that the amount of virus in your body (viral load) is reduced to an undetectable level. You will still have HIV, but it is at such a low level it is no longer doing any damage.

Once on treatment and with an undetectable viral load, a person can expect to live as long as someone who does not have HIV and cannot pass on HIV to anyone else.

1. If you are having sex without a condom, it is recommended to have an HIV test as part of an annual sexual health check up.
2. If you have had nonconsensual sex and you don’t know that person.
3. If you are having sex with multiple partners without using condoms, it is recommended to have an HIV test every 3-6months.
4. If you are having anal sex, especially with multiple partners, without using condoms, it is recommended to have an HIV test every 3 months.
5. If you are injecting drugs and sharing needles, it is recommended to have an HIV test every 3 months.
6. If you are pregnant, it is recommended to have and HIV test along with the other first antennal screening tests offered to pregnant women.

Window Period

It takes about 10–12 weeks before HIV will be visible in an HIV test. i.e. if you go for a test 3 weeks after your last condomless sexual interaction, HIV will not show in an HIV test. This is called the ‘window period’. If you are very worried and want to have the test within the window period, you will be asked to come back for a second, confirmatory test.

An HIV test looks for a protein found in an HIV cell, known as an antibody, which is made by the body to fight HIV.

1. Tests can be done by a health profession where blood is drawn with a syringe and sent to the laboratory for processing. Results can take between 3-7 days.
2. HIV Rapid tests can be done by trained testers. Blood is extracted by a pin prick to the finger. Results are available within 1-10 minutes.
3. Self testing can be done by yourself and is done by using a mouth swab. Results are available within 10-20 minutes.

HIV tests are very reliable. They can occasionally produce a positive result. When tested again, the result will be negative. This can be a little scary but occurs in less than 1 in 1,000 cases.

Window Period

It takes about 45-90 days before HIV will be visible in an HIV test. This means if you go for a test 3 weeks after your last condomless sexual interaction, HIV will not show in an HIV test. This is called the ‘window period’. If you are very worried and want to have the test within the window period, you will be asked to come back for a second, confirmatory test.

Testing at least once a year for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is good sexual health practice for everyone who is sexually active.

1. If you are having sex with multiple partners without using condoms, it is recommended to have an HIV test every 3-6 months.
2. If you are having anal sex, especially with multiple partners, without using condoms, it is recommended to have an HIV test every 3 months.
3. If you are injecting drugs and sharing needles, it is recommended to have an HIV test every 3 months.
4. If you are pregnant, it is recommended to have an HIV test along with the other first antennal screening tests offered to pregnant women.

Window Period

It takes about 45-90 days before HIV will be visible in an HIV test. This means, if you go for a test 3 weeks after your last condomless sexual interaction, HIV will not show in an HIV test. This is called the ‘window period’. If you are very worried and want to have the test within the window period, you will be asked to come back for a second, confirmatory test.

That depends on the type of test you have.

1. Tests can be done by a health professional where blood is drawn with a syringe and sent to the laboratory for processing. Results can take between 3-7 days.
2. HIV Rapid tests can be done by trained testers. Blood is extracted by a pin prick to the finger. Results are available within 1-10 minutes.
3. Self testing can be done by yourself and is done by using a mouth swab. Results are available within 10-20 minutes.

HIV tests are very reliable. They can occasionally produce a positive result. When tested again, the result will be negative. This can be a little scary but occurs in less than 1 in 1,000 cases.

Window Period

It takes about 45-90 weeks before HIV will be visible in an HIV test. This means, if you go for a test 3 weeks after your last condomless sexual interaction, HIV will not show in an HIV test. This is called the ‘window period’. If you are very worried and want to have the test within the window period, you will be asked to come back for a second, confirmatory test.

It takes about 45-90 days before HIV will be visible in an HIV test. i.e. if you go for a test 3 weeks after your last condomless sexual interaction, HIV will not show in an HIV test. This is called the ‘window period’. If you are very worried and want to have the test within the window period, you will be asked to come back for a second, confirmatory test.

The window period can vary depending on the type of test you have.

1. Rapid tests and self tests generally have a 90-day window period
2. Testing done with a blood drawn by a syringe which is sent to a laboratory, generally have a 45-day window period. It is a more sensitive test so can pick up antibodies sooner than a rapid or self test.

In practical terms, a rapid or self test, tells you what your HIV status was 90 days ago, while a blood test tells you what your status was 45 days ago.

We want you to stay healthy and keep others safe by getting tested. Choose to get a test in person at your preferred clinic, or order a home self-test delivered to your door. See the Get Tested page to find out where you can get tested for HIV.

HIV can only be passed on through certain body fluids. These are:

1. Direct blood to blood contact
2. Semen and vaginal fluids
3. Breast milk

The main ways these fluids can be transferred from one person to another is:

1. Vaginal or anal sex
2. Sharing injecting equipment (needles and syringes)
3. Breast feeding

However, if a person has HIV and they are on medication, with an undetectable viral load, HIV cannot be passed on.

1. HIV cannot be passed on by kissing, shaking hands, hugging or from toilet seats.
2. HIV cannot be passed on through tears, sweat, saliva, spitting, urine or faeces (poo).
3. HIV cannot be passed on if someone has touched or used anything you then touch.
4. HIV cannot be passed on through sharing food or drinks, or having food prepared by someone who has HIV.
5. HIV cannot be passed on in a swimming pool, shower, hot tub or by using a towel of someone who has HIV.

The best way to prevent getting HIV is to use condoms, with lube, for vaginal or anal sex when having casual sex or sex with multiple partners.

If you want to have sex without a condom, consider taking PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). This is medication you can take which reduces your chance of getting HIV when having sex or injecting drugs. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV.

HIV medication, called antiretroviral medication, can only be prescribed by a medical professional. What kind of medication you will be given will depend on a discussion between you and the Doctor to ensure they are the right ones for you and fit with your life style.

There are a number of HIV support networks in Aotearoa. See our Find Support page for more information and to connect with the organisation which best suits your needs.

If you have a negative result, we suggest you still connect with your chosen health support service to discuss a prevention strategy to keep you negative and healthy. Using condoms with lubricant continues to be an effective option for preventing HIV. However, it is no longer the only one available.

An effective prevention method for HIV is PrEP, which stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. PrEP is a pill prescribed by a health professional, which contains HIV medication. PrEP is given to people who do not have HIV to stop them from getting HIV. When taken as recommended, PrEP is 99% effective against HIV. Read more on the Body Positive website.

PEP, which stands for post-exposure prophylaxis, is taken after you think you may have been exposed to HIV. It is mostly effective when started within 72 hours after potential exposure to HIV. You can access PEP through GPs and emergency rooms. PrEP and PEP are the same drugs, just taken differently according to your exposure situation, i.e. pre (before) or post (after). Read more on the Body Positive website.

People living with HIV who are on treatment, can live long healthy lives.

Anyone diagnosed with HIV is recommended to start treatment as soon as possible. This treatment can be as simple as taking one or two pills once a day. Successful HIV treatment means you can expect to live as long as anyone else, have relationships, children, work, travel and have fun.

The quick answer in most cases is, no. Your health condition is your own private business and in most cases, there is no legal obligation to tell anyone. There are some exceptions you do need to be aware of.

1. You do not need to tell your employer.
2. You do not need to tell your friends or family if you do not wish to. You may choose to at some point as it may be a good source of support, but that is when you are ready and if you want.
3. You do not need to tell a dentist or a medical person, for instance someone taking your blood. These professions all practice universal blood precaution practices. If these are followed, there is no risk of HIV being passed on.

Exceptions when you do need to tell someone you have HIV

If you are in a sexual relationship with someone when you find out you have HIV, you will need to tell them so they can be tested and get treatment if needed. This may also be the case if you have recently shared drug injecting equipment. If you are nervous about sharing this information you can ask your doctor or someone from a local support network to talk with the person or people concerned.

Legally, you are required to inform any potential sexual partner if you intend to have sex without a condom. In Aotearoa there is no precedent as to whether having an undetectable viral load would be an acceptable precaution. Subsequently we recommend you do tell a partner if you are not intending to wear a condom, even if you have an undetectable viral load.

Absolutely yes. A person with HIV who is on medication and has an undetectable viral load can live a full and productive life.

‘Viral load’ refers to the amount of HIV virus a person has in their blood. The viral load can be detected in an HIV test. The results are given as the number of copies of HIV per millilitre of blood – for example 200 copies per ml.

Why is viral load significant?

The higher the viral load, the more likely the virus is attaching the immune system and you will get sick. It is also easier to transmit when the viral load is high.

When the viral load is low, less than 50 copies per ml of blood, it is classified as undetectable. With an undetectable viral load your immune system can function, and you will stay well. It also means you cannot pass on HIV to anyone else.

The way to have an undetectable viral load is to take HIV medications.

If you find out you have HIV when you are pregnant, do not panic. Your health professional will discuss treatment options with you. Once you are on HIV treatment, your viral load will reduce, and this means HIV cannot be passed on to your baby in the womb or during labour.

The reality is that most people will not know unless they have a test. Some people have no symptoms at all until HIV has advanced to AIDS. That is why it is important to get tested.

Some people may be unwell or experience symptoms around six weeks after getting HIV. This is the point when the immune system reacts to the presence of the HIV virus in the body and is called ‘seroconversion’. It is when the body is converting from not having HIV to having HIV.

Some symptoms of seroconversion are:

• sore throat
• fever
• rash over the body
• shingles

Most people who have these symptoms would probably not even think that it might be HIV.

Once seroconversion has happened, an HIV test will detect antibodies and indicate a positive HIV result.

Left untreated, HIV will slowly eat away at your immune system until it no longer works. This can take many years and is different for different people. Once the immune system does not work you will start to get sick a lot because the body can no longer fight off even common everyday illnesses such as a cold. As this continues, HIV turns into AIDS and eventually you will die.

Also, by not doing anything, your viral load will increase. The higher the viral load, there is a greater risk of passing on HIV to someone else.

HIV can, and does, affect people of any age, sexuality, ethnicity or gender.

Anal sex without a condom carries the highest risk of contracting HIV.

If you test positive for HIV, it can feel scary. It is a life changing diagnosis, however, know that HIV is now a manageable condition, and you have options.

You may wish to connect with a support group to talk with others who are living with HIV and can relate to what you are going through.

You will need to make an appointment with a doctor who will discuss treatment options with you. It is recommended to start medication soon after your diagnosis to maintain the best health.

HIV treatment is publicly funded in Aotearoa New Zealand for anyone who needs it, regardless of citizenship or residency. Treatment is for life and generally involves taking one or 2 tables a day. Most medications have very minimal side effects but you will need to have regular check ups with your health specialist who will monitor your viral load and general health and wellbeing on a regular basis.

Treatment allows people living with HIV to lead perfectly healthy long lives, plus, you won’t be alone: there are many local resources available, including peer support, free counselling and support for all people living with or affected by HIV.

You have the choice not to go on medications.