What happens when you get HIV?

Many people often misunderstand that what happens when you get HIV is that you will develop AIDS. In fact, people who are infected with HIV, whether from mother to child, having unprotected sex, or coming into contact with the secretions of an infected person, will not initially develop AIDS. Until the disease progresses to the final stage of the infection, they are considered AIDS patients. Currently, there is a drug to prevent HIV before exposure, which is PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis). Most importantly, taking PrEP requires discipline. Take the drug on time and absolutely do not forget.

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How dangerous is HIV infection?

HIV infection is a serious and dangerous infectious disease. The virus destroys the body’s immune system, causing patients to become susceptible to opportunistic infections that can be severe and even fatal if left untreated.

The importance of this disease is that in the early stages of infection, there are no obvious symptoms. Therefore, patients may not be aware that they are infected. However, they can spread the virus to others, primarily through sexual contact and blood, which can result in delays in treatment.

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What can HIV be transmitted through?

1. Unprotected sex
2. Sharing needles or syringes with someone infected with HIV.
3. Contact with the blood or fluid of an HIV-infected person.
4. Mother-to-child transmission
5. Receiving donated blood contaminated with HIV.

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HIV infection period

1. Acute infection period: During the initial period when the infection is not very large, which may last from 2-12 weeks, the infected person will have fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, a rash, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
2. Asymptomatic period, but when blood tests are done, HIV can be found and can be transmitted to others. They are called carriers and will continue to divide and grow, destroying the immune system.
3. Symptomatic stage: The first stage will show mild symptoms and the second stage will show moderate symptoms.
4. AIDS stage: During this stage, the patient’s immune system is completely deteriorated. If the CD4 level is checked, it will be found that the number is usually less than 200 cells per cubic millimeter. As a result, various germs such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and tuberculosis take the opportunity to attack, called opportunistic infectious diseases.

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Risky behaviors when living with an HIV-infected person

1. Sharing items such as razors, nail scissors, and toothbrushes.
2. You should wash your hands frequently, such as before and after eating and using the bathroom.
3. People in the house are sick, such as those with the flu, measles, rubella, or chickenpox, and are not separated from infected people.
4. Having sex, such as using a condom every time and being careful about spreading infection.
5. Everyone in the house should be vaccinated against diseases such as influenza, measles, diphtheria, and whooping cough.

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HIV treatment

1. Antiretroviral therapy (ARV) which inhibits the division and reduces the number of HIV viruses, helps improve the immune system.
2. Treatment of complications that occur, such as giving medication to treat tuberculosis, antibiotics to treat pneumonia, antifungal and antiviral medications, and herpes medications.

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Mr.Achawin Thamsoonthorn
General Manager

Latest edit : 06/11/2025

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