HIV is an infection that attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the white blood cells, weakening a person’s immunity against opportunistic infections, such as tuberculosis and fungal infections, severe bacterial infections and some cancers. The most advanced stage of HIV infection is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

There is no cure for HIV infection. However, with increasing access to effective HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care, HIV infection has become a manageable chronic health condition, enabling people living with HIV to lead long and healthy lives.

HIV can be transmitted via the exchange of a variety of body fluids from people living with HIV, such as blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal secretions.

HIV can also be transmitted during pregnancy and delivery to the child.

Though people living with HIV tend to be most infectious in the first few months after being infected, many are unaware of their status until the later stages.

The infection progressively weakens the immune system. This can cause other signs and symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, fever, diarrhoea and cough.

HIV causes other infections to get worse, such as hepatitis C, hepatitis B and mpox.