HIV and AIDS: Symptoms and treatment

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. HIV is a manageable chronic condition. With treatment, people living with HIV can have long and healthy lives. However, if left untreated, it can cause a weakened immune system and may progress to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

On this page

• Symptoms of HIV infection
• Getting tested
• Treating HIV
• HIV-related stigma
• Getting support

Symptoms of HIV infection

Most people (50% or more) will develop mild flu-like symptoms within 2 to 4 weeks after contracting HIV.

Early symptoms may include:

• rash
• chills
• fever
• fatigue
• diarrhea
• joint pain
• headache
• sore throat
• muscle aches
• swollen glands (lymph nodes)

The symptoms may last from a few days to weeks. Although these symptoms may go away on their own, the virus will remain in your body for your whole life.

You may not develop any symptoms after contracting HIV and may remain undiagnosed for many years until symptoms start to appear. This could be up to 10 years later.

Symptoms of untreated HIV may include:

• diarrhea
• weight loss
• pneumonia
• fever and/or chills
• swollen glands (lymph nodes)
• thrush (oral yeast infection or candidiasis)
• scalp and skin irritation (seborrheic dermatitis)

As symptoms of HIV are similar to other conditions, it's common for an early HIV infection to be misdiagnosed. It's important to get tested if you think you could have or have been exposed to HIV. Getting diagnosed with HIV early leads to better health outcomes later on.

Getting tested

The only way to know for sure if you have HIV is to get tested. HIV can be diagnosed using a blood test.

There are 2 main kinds of HIV tests available in Canada:

Standard HIV test

• A blood sample is taken in a health care setting and sent to a laboratory for analysis.
• It can take up to 2 weeks to get your results.
• You can order these tests ahead of time online.
• While all medical tests are confidential, some places also offer anonymous. Your name won't be collected and only you will know the results of your test.

Rapid HIV test

• A drop of blood is taken from a finger prick and you get an initial result within a few minutes of doing the test.
• A positive test result must be confirmed with a standard HIV test.
• Rapid HIV tests include:
  • self-test or home-test kits that allow you to test yourself in a private setting
  • point-of-care tests that are taken in clinic or outreach settings with a trained individual

You can order self-tests online. They may also be available for free from community organizations or for purchase in some stores.

Some tests may not be able to detect the virus during the first 2 to 4 weeks of HIV infection. Your health care provider may ask you to repeat the test later if it's negative and there's a possibility you have HIV.

Whatever the result of your test, knowing your HIV status is important for your health and gives you the knowledge you need to make informed decisions.

Learn more:

• Find a testing location near you (CATIE)
• HIV Testing: Everything you need to know (CATIE)

Treating HIV

Highly effective treatments are available to manage HIV infection. Starting treatment early for HIV can help you live a long and healthy life.

HIV is treated with antiretroviral therapy. This is a combination of medications that stops or slows the rate at which the virus reproduces or makes copies of itself in your body. This lowers the amount of HIV in your body and helps keep your immune system healthy.

HIV treatment can also prevent HIV from being passed on through sex. "Undetectable = Untransmittable" (U=U) is a common message that communicates this benefit.

Learn more:

• Undetectable = Untransmittable

HIV-related stigma

When you're diagnosed with HIV, other people may have negative attitudes and beliefs about your behaviour, lifestyle or circumstances in life. These negative associations form what's called stigma, which is an experience that can decrease the quality of your life because it includes:

• judging
• labelling
• isolation
• prejudice
• stereotyping
• discrimination

These types of reactions to those living with HIV are based on misinformation about the infection. Stigma remains one of the greatest barriers for people in Canada to access HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care services.

What you can do to reduce stigma

Reducing stigma includes challenging your own knowledge and beliefs about HIV, and educating yourself about the topic. You can help reduce stigma by being respectful, compassionate and non-judgemental.

When talking about HIV, certain terms can be stigmatizing. Be thoughtful about the words you use when discussing the topic.

• Instead of saying "HIV/AIDS," try using "HIV."
  • The term HIV includes both HIV and AIDS, and most people living with HIV won't develop AIDS.
• Instead of saying "people suffering from HIV" or "HIV-infected people" or "HIV carriers," try using "people living with HIV."
  • Person-first language centres on the individual and not the disease. HIV is only one part of a person's story.
• Instead of saying "unsafe sex" (when referring to sex without a condom), try using "sex without a condom."
  • Avoiding the mention of 'safety' removes judgment from how people choose to engage in sex and encourages more open, inclusive conversations that respect individual autonomy and diverse experiences.
• Instead of saying "spreading HIV," try using "transmitting HIV" or "passing HIV."
  • The preferred terms avoid putting blame and judgement on people living with HIV.
• Instead of saying "caught HIV" or "infected with HIV," try using "diagnosed with HIV" or "acquired HIV."
  • The preferred terms are more accurate and relieve some of the stigma associated with being diagnosed with HIV.
• Instead of saying "full-blown AIDS," try using "AIDS" or "end-stage HIV."
  • Using more accurate phrases such as AIDS can help reduce stigma and fear, thereby showing respect for individuals living with HIV.

Getting support

There are many ways you can get support if you think you have been exposed to or could have HIV. Access counselling, testing and other HIV services in your area.

Learn more:

• Find a testing location near you (CATIE)
• Find sexual health services near you (Action Canada)
• Access Line: phone and text line for sexual health questions (Action Canada)

Related links

• HIV Basics (CATIE)
• If you've just found out you are HIV-positive (CATIE)
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (Action Canada)