What is HIV?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.  It belongs to a group of viruses called Retroviruses, which work by invading the genetic material of cells within your body.  Normally, the body’s immune system would fight off such an infection, but HIV stops this from happening by infecting CD4 cells which are the cells that fight off infection.

Over time, people living with the HIV virus (commonly referred to as HIV positive) are likely to develop different infections and cancers that the body would otherwise normally be able to fight.

What is AIDS?

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.  It is what happens as a result of a compromised immune system, when your body is no longer able to protect itself against infections which a normal immune system would otherwise be able to control.

The resulting collection of symptoms from these infections and diseases is called a syndrome; when someone exhibits symptoms of one or more of these infections, they are considered to have AIDS.  Different people with AIDS may experience different clinical problems, depending on which of the specific opportunistic infections they develop.

How is HIV transmitted?

HIV is present in the body in blood, semen, rectal and vaginal fluids.  It can only be transmitted if these fluids enter another body.

In New Zealand men who have sex with men are the group most at risk from contracting HIV – they are forty times more likely to be infected with HIV than heterosexuals.  This is due to the biology of the anus – the inside of the anus is designed to absorb nutrients into the bloodstream from food passing through.  This means it can absorb the HIV virus from infected semen.  There is also a very high concentration of cells in the anus that are especially vulnerable to HIV infection, unlike other parts of the body.  Being the receptive partner in unprotected anal sex carries the highest risk of HIV transmission.

You can also acquire the HIV virus from being the insertive partner, as the HIV virus can enter a body through parts of the penis, such as the inside of the penis (urethra) and cells under the foreskin.

The second most at risk group in New Zealand is the African community. The highest rates of HIV occur in Africa. Unprotected vaginal intercourse is also a high-risk activity for HIV.  HIV in semen can enter the bloodstream through cells lining the vaginal walls, whereas HIV in vaginal fluids can enter a man’s body through the end of his penis or the inner folds of his foreskin.

The HIV virus cannot pass through intact latex.  Because of this, condoms and lube are recognised globally as the best way to protect you and your partner from HIV.

HIV is not airborne and cannot be transmitted through skin to skin contact or kissing.

Transmission from mother to child

Transmission from an HIV positive mother to her child during pregnancy, birth, or later as a result of breastfeeding is known as vertical transmission.  However, with planning from healthcare professionals, people who are HIV positive are able to conceive, deliver and care for healthy HIV negative children.

Blood to blood transmission

Blood to blood transmission most commonly occurs when a needle is shared between injecting drug users, where one user is HIV positive.  In New Zealand, due to the work of Needle Exchanges across the country, this is no longer a regular occurrence.

Testing for HIV

To determine whether HIV is present in your blood, you’ll need to take a HIV test.  The New Zealand AIDS Foundation uses an HIV FASTest to test for the virus – this takes about 20 minutes to complete and is available from all our centres.  More details on the HIV FASTest can be found here.

What is the 'window period'?

An HIV test measures antibodies to HIV, rather than HIV itself.  It is not possible to find out if you’ve acquired the HIV virus immediately, because these antibodies can take up to three months to appear in your blood.  The time between somebody acquiring HIV and the development of antibodies is called the window period.

In addition to the virus being undetectable during the window period, people with HIV are also most infectious during this period; which means you can pass the HIV virus to another person even if tests show you are HIV negative.  This is why it is so important to use condoms and lube every time you have sex. 

Where can I get condoms?

You can get condoms from pharmacists, supermarkets and sexual health centres all over New Zealand. Alternatively, you can get FREE condoms by filling out this form.