What happens if aids goes untreated

It can occur if syphilis isn't…. If you've had sex without using a condom, you might be wondering about the risk of HIV. Learn about the timeline for HIV testing and more. Part of the fear of HIV comes from lack of education. Understanding the facts can prevent misinformation — and HIV — from spreading. If you've been tested for HIV, or if you're considering an HIV test, you may have questions about the accuracy of the results. Learn more about the…. HIV and hepatitis are viruses with similar transmission methods and risk factors.

HIV damages the immune system. Without treatment, AIDS can develop. A circumcised penis vs uncircumcised may help prevent HIV transmission for some; however, for MSM condoms or other barrier methods are highly….

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M. What are HIV-related opportunistic infections? With an early diagnosis and effective treatments, most people with HIV will not develop any AIDS-related illnesses and will live a near-normal lifespan. Most people experience a short flu-like illness 2 to 6 weeks after HIV infection, which lasts for a week or 2. After these symptoms disappear, HIV may not cause any symptoms for many years, although the virus continues to damage your immune system.

Some people are advised to have regular tests as they're at particularly high risk. Read more about who's most at risk of HIV. HIV is found in the body fluids of an infected person. This includes semen, vaginal and anal fluids, blood and breast milk. The chance of getting HIV through oral sex is very low and will be dependent on many things, such as whether you receive or give oral sex and the oral hygiene of the person giving the oral sex. Seek medical advice as soon as possible if you think you might have been exposed to HIV.

You can get tested in a number of places, including at a GP surgery, sexual health clinics and clinics run by charities. Find HIV testing services near you. PEP is available free from most public hospitals or from sexual health clinics. Use this simple locator tool to find your closest location for PEP access. If you have ever injected or currently inject drugs, testing for HIV is also important.

It is advisable for you and your partners to have regular sexual health check-ups, especially if one or both of you have more than one sexual partner. Some people recently exposed to HIV may experience flu-like symptoms, while others will have no symptoms at all. After initial symptoms disappear, HIV may not cause any symptoms for many years. During this time, the virus can be passed on without people knowing.

Whilst you may look and feel healthy, the untreated virus could be doing harm to your body. It can take 6 to 12 weeks after someone has acquired HIV before HIV is able to be detected in the blood through a blood test. If you have had condomless anal or vaginal sex or may have been exposed to HIV through sharing needles or other injecting equipment, it is recommended you have an HIV test, but you will need to wait 6 to 12 weeks before a blood test will reliably say you have not acquired HIV.

During this time, always practise safe sex with condoms and do not donate blood during this time. It is important to consider the impact a positive result may have on you or your partner and what support mechanisms you might need. Testing at a health service where support and treatment advice is readily available is the best and recommended testing option.

To find out where you can get a rapid HIV test use this clinic search tool. You have the right to a confidential coded test. If you find out that you do have HIV, anyone you have practised unsafe anal or vaginal sex with should also be encouraged to have a test. If you feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about telling your current or ex-partners, a member of your health care team can assist by contacting them for you.