HIV and AIDS: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats HIV and AIDS?
An infectious disease doctor, a doctor who treats infections like HIV, usually leads care for HIV and AIDS. A blood test can tell if you have HIV infection. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What are HIV and AIDS?
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV harms your immune system by destroying a type of white blood cell that helps your body fight infection. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is the final stage of infection with HIV and happens when the immune system is badly damaged. Not everyone with HIV develops AIDS.
Without treatment, HIV infection gets worse over time in three stages: acute HIV infection, chronic HIV infection, and AIDS. There is no cure for HIV, but treatment with HIV medicines can slow or prevent it from moving to the next stage.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the stage of infection.
- Acute HIV infection generally develops within 2 to 4 weeks after infection. Some people have flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, and rash.
- Chronic HIV infection may cause no HIV-related symptoms. HIV keeps multiplying in the body, but at very low levels.
- AIDS is the final, most severe stage. The body cannot fight off opportunistic infections, which are infections that happen more often or are more severe in people with a weak immune system.
Other early signs can include chills, night sweats, muscle aches, sore throat, fatigue (deep tiredness), swollen lymph nodes, and mouth ulcers. Some people may not feel sick during the earlier stages, so the only way to know for sure is to get tested.
Causes and who gets it
HIV is spread through certain body fluids from a person who has HIV. Unprotected vaginal or anal sex is the most common way it spreads.
Other ways HIV can spread include:
- Sharing drug needles.
- Contact with the blood of a person with HIV.
- Pregnancy, from mother to fetus.
Anyone can get HIV, but some groups have a higher risk. People who have another sexually transmitted infection (STI) have a higher risk. Having an STI can increase your risk of getting or spreading HIV. People who inject drugs with shared needles also have a higher risk.
How doctors diagnose it
A health care provider can do an HIV test, or you can use a home testing kit. There are three types of tests: antibody tests, antigen/antibody tests, and nucleic acid tests (NATs).
A positive test is followed by a second test to confirm the result. Doctors diagnose AIDS when the CD4 count drops below 200 cells/mm3 or when certain opportunistic infections are present.
Treatment
There is no cure for HIV infection, but it can be treated with medicines called antiretroviral therapy, or ART. ART can make HIV infection a manageable chronic condition. Most people with HIV live long and healthy lives if they get ART as soon as possible and stay on it.
Once a person is diagnosed with HIV, they should start ART as soon as possible. Even if HIV has reached the AIDS stage, HIV medicines can still lower the amount of virus in the blood. ART is only highly effective if taken exactly as prescribed. In some cases, missing doses can lead to resistance, which can make the medicines stop working.
When to see a doctor
Get tested if you think you may have HIV, because some people do not feel sick in the early stages. If you may have been exposed to HIV, ask a provider about PEP. PEP is for emergency situations and must be started within 72 hours. If you are diagnosed with HIV, start treatment as soon as possible. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, or a sudden change in mental state such as confusion.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either type of doctor can arrange an HIV test and explain the results. They can also help with regular follow-up and coordinate care with an infectious disease doctor.
Common questions
Does HIV always turn into AIDS?
No, not everyone with HIV develops AIDS. Treatment with HIV medicines can slow or prevent HIV from moving to the next stage.
Can people with AIDS still be treated?
Yes, HIV medicines can still help at the AIDS stage. They can let more CD4 cells grow back, which makes opportunistic infections less likely.
Can someone with HIV pass it on if they feel fine?
Yes, a person with chronic HIV infection may still pass HIV to others. People who take ART exactly as prescribed and keep an undetectable viral load have minimal risk of passing HIV to someone without HIV through sex.
How long can chronic HIV last without treatment?
Without ART, chronic HIV infection usually advances to AIDS in 10 years or longer, though in some people it may advance faster. People who take ART may be in the chronic stage for several decades.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
