Make HIV Testing Part of Your Routine

What is HIV?

HIV is a virus which weakens a person’s immune system. The immune system helps you fight off germs and stay healthy. HIV makes it hard for your body to fight off infections. It is passed from one person to another through certain body fluids, like blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.

Why is testing for HIV important?

There’s been an increase in new HIV cases among people who use meth in Adelaide northern suburbs.

With treatment, people living with HIV can live long and healthy lives.

How do I know if I have it?

HIV will often have symptoms which include a fever (feeling hot), rash on the skin, swollen glands (lumps in the neck, armpit and groin), sore throat, aching muscles or joints, diarrhoea (runny poo) and feeling very tired. Symptoms usually start about 2 weeks after getting the virus.

Often, HIV is passed on by people who don’t know they have it.

The only way to know for sure is to get tested.

What do I do if I have it?

HIV can be managed by taking antiretroviral medication. If you think you have been exposed to HIV, it’s important to get tested.

There are three types of HIV tests:

• Blood test: sent to a lab with results in a few days.
• Rapid antibody test: a finger prick with results in 20 minutes or less.
• Self-test: a finger prick test that you can do at home or anywhere you feel comfortable. It works like the rapid test and gives results in 20 minutes or less.

While waiting for test results, it is very important to keep using condoms and not share needles to stay safe.

Your doctor or health worker can help you with the next steps.

If you have questions, SHINE SA’s free Sexual Healthline is available.

How can I protect myself from HIV?

You can lower your chance of getting HIV by using condoms and water-based lubricant when having anal or vaginal sex, never sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment if you inject drugs and only getting tattoos or piercings when you know the tools are clean and sterile.

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a pill that can protect you from getting HIV.

PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is a medicine that you can take if you think you have been exposed to HIV. It can stop you from getting HIV and needs to be taken as soon as possible (within 72 hours) after potential exposure.

You can ask your doctor about PrEP and PEP.

Where can I get help?

You can visit a SHINE SA clinic to get tested for HIV for FREE. We have clinics in Woodville, Davoren Park and Hyde Street.

To book an appointment you can call us on 8300 5300.

I’m a health professional, what can I do?

It’s important to know that testing for HIV should be part of any routine sexual health screen. Everybody should be tested for HIV.

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