Treatment for HIV

HIV treatments are safe and very effective. HIV is treated with medications called antiretrovirals (ARVs). The treatments are lifelong.

The earlier you start treatment the better it is for your health.

Antiretrovirals do not get rid of HIV, but they reduce the amount of HIV in your body and stop it from damaging your immune system. Once the virus has been reduced to very low levels (usually within a few weeks of starting treatment), you cannot pass HIV on to another person.

In NSW, treatment is free for anyone who has HIV (HIV positive). You do not need a Medicare card to get free treatment.

How does treatment work?

Treatment lowers the amount of HIV in your body and stops you from getting sick.

If you take your HIV treatment regularly you will reduce your viral load and have an undetectable viral load. Viral load describes how much HIV is in your blood.

If your viral load is high, it means you have a lot of HIV virus in your body. Your immune system is being attacked and weakened and you may get sick.

If your viral load is low or undetectable it means your immune system is not being attacked and you are much less likely to get sick or develop AIDS.

Even when you have an undetectable viral load HIV is still present in your body, but in very small amounts. The amount of HIV in the blood is so small that the test cannot find it. When your viral load is undetectable, HIV does not damage your immune system, you will not get sick, and you cannot pass HIV onto other people.

What is AIDS?

Without treatment HIV can lead to AIDS.

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. When a person has AIDS their immune system is very damaged. They can’t fight infections and they can become very sick.

In Australia, almost everyone who is on treatment for HIV will stay healthy and will not develop AIDS. This is why it is important to start treatment as soon as possible.

In NSW, HIV treatment is free for everyone.

Does the treatment have side effects?

Some people get side effects from the treatment, others don’t. Short-term side effects of HIV medication can include diarrhoea, nausea, stomach-ache, and headaches. They often go away after a month.

You should speak with your doctor if you get any side effects, so they can help you manage them.

Never stop or change your medication without speaking to your doctor.