HIV & AIDS
There are still many misconceptions about HIV. Here you can find out what the difference is between HIV and AIDS, how to protect yourself, what treatments are available, and why living with HIV today is very different from what it was just several years ago.
HIV is not the same as AIDS
| HIV | human immunodeficiency virus | is the virus itself and refers to infection with it |
|---|---|---|
| AIDS | acquired immune deficiency syndrome | is the late stage of an untreated HIV infection |
Without treatment, after 5–10 years, AIDS can develop. This associated with serious illnesses, such as certain types of pneumonia or cancer. With treatment, this hardly ever happens today.
HIV in brief
HIV attacks the immune system.
An infection often goes unnoticed for a long time. The first symptoms are sometimes similar to those of the flu.
Without treatment, HIV weakens the immune system to such an extent that the body can no longer fight off pathogens and defective cells.
The good news:
HIV is not curable, but it is treatable.
With therapy that starts early, people with HIV can lead a completely normal life.
With effective treatment, HIV-positive individuals are no longer infectious.
Testing is crucial for early diagnosis and timely initiation of therapy.
HIV in Germany - numbers
Approximately 96,700 people are living with HIV
99% of all diagnosed patients take HIV medication
There were around 2,200 new infections in 2023
These symptoms usually disappear again. However, the infection remains. Without treatment, serious illnesses can develop years later.
Main transmission routes
unprotected vaginal or anal sex
sharing needles
transmission during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding
The following do not pose a risk:
shaking hands
kissing
toilets, door handles
insect bites
HIV is not spread through skin contact, saliva or mosquitos and it doesn't survive long outside of the human body.
HIV tests – when and how?
Immediate measures after potential HIV exposure
Clean the penis with soap and water
Clean the skin with soap and water, disinfect if necessary
If there was ejaculate in the mouth: spit it out, then rinse with water or high-proof alcohol
Not recommended: vaginal or rectal douching (risk of damage to mucous membranes)
Afterwards: PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is an emergency treatment that can prevent infection in most cases. It must be started as soon as possible (preferably within 2 hours, at the latest within 48 hours).
-
-
More information is available from the Aidshilfe
To their website -
-
More information is available from the Aidshilfe
Protective measures in everyday life
Think about it
Do you protect yourself?
Have you ever thought about whether you could become infected with HIV?
Have you ever given this any thought during sex?
Do you know whether all of your sexual partners have been tested for HIV?
There are also two medication options
Treatment
HIV
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is now standard. It prevents the virus from multiplying and thus protects the immune system.
The viral load drops to an undetectable level.
HIV is then no longer transmissible.
Life expectancy = same as for people without HIV.
Medications are well tolerated today, usually only one tablet per day or one injection every 8 weeks.
Even though lifelong therapy is necessary, people with HIV can live active, healthy, and independent lives today.
AIDS
If HIV remains untreated, it can progress to the AIDS stage. The immune system is then severely weakened.
Immediate ART
Treatment of the symptoms and diseases that develop
Even in the advanced stage, health status can improve significantly
Important: The earlier the diagnosis, the better the prognosis.
Today, HIV is no longer a death sentence. With testing, safer sex practices, and modern medicine, people with HIV can lead healthy, long, and fulfilling lives without fear and without risk of infecting others.