Transmission and Incubation Period

AIDS is primarily transmitted through unprotected sexual contact (vaginal, anal, or oral sex) with an infected person. It can also spread through sharing needles and from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding. The virus destroys white blood cells that are part of the immune system, weakening the body’s ability to fight infections, making patients vulnerable to a range of related diseases.

HIV/AIDS is not spread through everyday contact. The virus is fragile and cannot survive exposure to air, high temperatures, detergents, or oxygen. Therefore, casual physical contact, such as hugging, touching, or shaking hands, will not transmit the virus.

There are two main categories of patients: HIV-positive individuals and AIDS patients. HIV-positive individuals may appear healthy and show no symptoms but can still transmit the virus to others. Without proper treatment, HIV-positive individuals may develop AIDS within an average of 8-12 years.

Symptoms

HIV-Positive Individuals

    • May show no symptoms at all.
    • Some may experience fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, rash, muscle and joint pain, etc.
    • These symptoms usually disappear within days or weeks.

AIDS Patients

    • The virus may lie dormant for many years.
    • Persistent diarrhea, chronic cough, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, and swollen lymph nodes.
    • The body becomes more vulnerable to infections and diseases, affecting various parts of the body, including the skin, lungs, eyes, internal organs, and brain.

HIV testing is done through a blood test. During the initial three-month “window period”, a negative result may not be reliable. A second test is required three months after the possible exposure to confirm the result.

For example, if you had unprotected sex on January 1st, you can take an HIV test as soon as possible, but you should take another test on or after March 1st for a reliable result.

While waiting for the test results, you should refrain from sexual activity or use condoms to avoid spreading any potential infections to others. Sexual partners should also get tested.

Testing and Treatment

You can get tested at the Social Hygiene Clinics under the Department of Health. Hong Kong residents with a valid ID are eligible for free, confidential testing and treatment without the need for an appointment or doctor’s referral. There are also community services that provide testing, and if finances allow, you can visit private clinics for testing and treatment.

Currently, there is no cure for AIDS, but various medications, such as antiretroviral therapy (ART), can suppress the growth of the virus, improve the immune system, and delay the progression of AIDS. Other medications can effectively treat bacterial and viral infections, improving the patient’s health and quality of life. Early testing and active treatment can enable HIV-positive individuals to live as long as those without the virus.

During treatment, patients should use condoms to prevent other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and avoid passing the virus to others. Sexual partners should also undergo regular testing. Maintaining a monogamous relationship and consistently using condoms are effective ways to prevent STIs.

If Someone You Know Has HIV, What Can You Do?

  1. Support, Don’t Blame
    If someone confides in you about their HIV status, offer them a caring hug. It often takes great emotional struggle for an infected individual to share this information, usually only with their closest friends. Avoid asking how they got infected, especially if they’re not ready to discuss it.
  2. Provide Support and Acceptance
    The treatment process can be challenging, and friends and family are the biggest source of support throughout the long medication journey. Follow three principles: don’t blame, don’t pry, and don’t avoid them. Treating them like a normal friend is the best way to support them.
  3. Educate Others About AIDS
    The real fear isn’t HIV, but the ignorance surrounding it. AIDS is not easily transmitted, and living, eating, and learning together does not pose a risk of infection.