TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. What Are HIV and AIDS?
2. How HIV Is Transmitted
3. Who Is at Higher Risk?
4. Symptoms of HIV and AIDS
5. When to See a Doctor
6. How HIV and AIDS Are Diagnosed
7. Treatment for HIV and AIDS
8. Complications If Untreated
9. How to Prevent HIV and AIDS

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HIV and AIDS remain among the most challenging health issues worldwide, but with the right knowledge, they can be managed and prevented effectively.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks the immune system, making the body more vulnerable to infections. 

Without treatment, it can progress to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a more advanced and serious stage of the disease.

What Are HIV and AIDS?

HIV is a virus that targets CD4 cells (a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection). 

Over time, without treatment, HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells, weakening the immune system.

AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection, diagnosed when CD4 levels drop below 200 cells/mm³ or when a person develops certain serious infections or cancers. 

Not all people with HIV will develop AIDS, especially if they receive timely treatment.

How HIV Is Transmitted

HIV is spread through contact with specific body fluids from a person who has the virus, including:

• Blood
• Semen
• Vaginal fluids
• Breast milk

Common ways HIV spreads include:

• Having unprotected sex with an HIV-positive partner.
• Sharing needles or syringes.
• Receiving contaminated blood transfusions (rare today due to strict screening).
• From mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

In Indonesia, the main causes of transmission are unsafe sexual activity and sharing unsterilized needles.

Who Is at Higher Risk?

You may have a higher risk of HIV if you:

• Have unprotected sex with multiple partners.
• Have another sexually transmitted infection (STI).
• Share needles for drug use, tattoos, or piercings.
• Have a sexual partner who uses injection drugs.

Symptoms of HIV and AIDS

Here are the symptoms of each stage or HIV and AIDS:

Early Stage (Acute HIV Infection)

Symptoms may appear 2–4 weeks after infection and can include:

• Fever
• Rash
• Sore throat
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Muscle aches

Some people have no symptoms at all during this stage.

Latent Stage

The virus is still active but reproduces at low levels. 

Many people feel well and show no symptoms, sometimes for years.

AIDS Stage

• Persistent fever
• Extreme fatigue
• Severe diarrhea
• Significant weight loss
• Opportunistic infections (such as tuberculosis or fungal infections)
• Skin lesions (such as Kaposi’s sarcoma).

When to See a Doctor

See a doctor immediately if you think you’ve been exposed to HIV or if you notice symptoms and have risk factors. 

Early testing and treatment can make a huge difference.

How HIV and AIDS Are Diagnosed

Testing is the only way to confirm HIV infection. Methods include:

• Antibody tests: Detect HIV antibodies (3–12 weeks after exposure).
• Antigen/antibody tests: Detect both HIV antigens and antibodies (2–6 weeks after exposure).
• CD4 count: Measures immune system strength.
• Viral load test: Measures the amount of HIV in the blood.
• Drug resistance testing: Helps determine the most effective treatment.

Treatment for HIV and AIDS

There is currently no cure for HIV, but antiretroviral therapy (ART) can control the virus, keep you healthy, and prevent transmission.

Common medications include:

• Tenofovir (Kifovir, Ricovir, Tafnat)
• Lamivudine (Heplav)
• Efavirenz
• Zidovudine
• Lopinavir/Ritonavir (Lopivia)

With consistent ART use, HIV levels can drop to “undetectable”, meaning the virus cannot be transmitted sexually (“U=U”: Undetectable = Untransmittable).

Complications If Untreated

Without treatment, HIV can lead to:

• Tuberculosis (TB)
• Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP)
• Candidiasis
• Kaposi’s sarcoma
• Lymphoma
• Neurological disorders
• Severe weight loss.

How to Prevent HIV and AIDS

HIV and AIDS can be prevented through consistent safe practices and awareness of transmission risks. 

Here are some important steps to protect yourself:

1. Practice Safe Sex: Always use a new condom for each sexual encounter.
2. Limit Sexual Partners: Reducing the number of partners lowers your risk.
3. Get Tested Regularly: Early detection means early treatment and reduced transmission risk.
4. Avoid Sharing Needles: Use sterile equipment for tattoos, piercings, or drug use.
5. Consider Medical Prevention Options:
   • PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) for those at high risk.
   • PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) if exposed, must start within 72 hours.

Final Thoughts

HIV and AIDS are no longer the death sentences they once were. With the right treatment and lifestyle, people living with HIV can enjoy long, fulfilling lives and prevent spreading the virus to others.

If you suspect exposure or want to get tested, consult our English-speaking doctor immediately. You can connect with experienced doctors directly from your smartphone using the Halodoc app, available 24/7.

Now, you can also order safe, original HIV medications through the Halodoc Health Store with fast delivery in just 1 hour.

So, what are you waiting for? Download the Halodoc app on Play Store or App Store today!

References:

Mayo Clinic. Accessed in 2025. HIV/AIDS.

National Institutes of Health. Accessed in 2025. HIV and AIDS: The Basics.

World Health Organization. Accessed in 2025. HIV and AIDS.