HIV Infection: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats HIV Infection?
An infectious disease doctor, a doctor who treats infections, often leads HIV care. Any provider who knows HIV care can lead your team. The team may also include nurses, mental health providers, and pharmacists. 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 is HIV infection?
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV harms your immune system, the body's defense against germs. It destroys a type of white blood cell that helps your body fight infection. This puts you at risk for other infections and diseases.
AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is the final stage of infection with HIV. It happens when the immune system is badly damaged by the virus. Not everyone with HIV develops AIDS.
Symptoms
The first signs of HIV may be flu-like symptoms. They include fever, chills, rash, night sweats (heavy sweating during sleep), muscle aches, sore throat, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes (glands), and mouth ulcers. These symptoms may come and go within two to four weeks. This stage is called acute HIV infection.
Without treatment, the infection becomes chronic HIV infection. Often, there are no symptoms during this stage. Some people do not feel sick early on, so the only way to know for sure is to get tested.
Eventually, the virus can weaken the immune system. The infection then moves to AIDS, the late stage.
Causes and who gets it
HIV is spread through certain body fluids from a person who has HIV. This can happen:
- During unprotected vaginal or anal sex with a person who has HIV. This is the most common way it spreads.
- By sharing drug needles.
- Through contact with the blood of a person with HIV.
- From mother to baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
Anyone can get HIV. Some groups have a higher risk. They include people who have another sexually transmitted infection (STI), people who inject drugs with shared needles, and gay and bisexual men.
How doctors diagnose it
The only way to know your HIV status is to get tested. A blood test can tell if you have HIV. Your provider can do the test, or you can use a home testing kit. Everyone aged 13 to 64 should be tested at least once.
There are three types of HIV tests. An antibody test looks for antibodies, which the immune system makes when it is exposed to viruses like HIV. A nucleic acid test looks for the virus itself and can detect HIV sooner than other tests.
No test can find HIV right after infection. If a test after a possible exposure is negative, get tested again after the window period for your test. A positive antibody test needs a follow-up test to confirm it.
After diagnosis, a CD4 count shows how many CD4 cells, which help fight infection, are in your blood. A viral load test shows how much HIV is in your blood.
Treatment
There is no cure for HIV. It can be treated with medicines called antiretroviral therapy, or ART. ART can make HIV a manageable long-term condition. Most people with HIV live long and healthy lives if they start ART as soon as possible and stay on it.
All people with HIV should take HIV treatment, no matter how healthy they are. There are two types, pills and shots.
Treatment can make the amount of HIV in the blood so low that a test cannot detect it. People with an undetectable viral load will not pass HIV to others through sex. If you miss doses, HIV can multiply quickly and weaken your immune system. Tell your provider if you have trouble taking your medicine.
When to see a doctor
If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, talk to a provider about PEP. PEP is a medicine for people who may have been exposed. It is only for emergency situations and must be started within 72 hours after a possible exposure.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing, chest pain, 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 can arrange an HIV test and talk with you about prevention. They can also refer you to a provider who knows HIV care and help you keep up with visits and your treatment plan.
Common questions
Is there a cure for HIV?
No, there is no cure for HIV. But medicines called ART can help people with HIV live long and healthy lives. Most people with HIV live long and healthy lives if they start ART as soon as possible and stay on it.
What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?
HIV is the virus, and AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection. AIDS happens when the immune system is badly damaged by the virus. Not everyone with HIV develops AIDS.
Can a person with HIV pass it to others?
Yes, HIV can be passed to others, but treatment lowers that risk. A person with an undetectable viral load will not pass HIV through sex.
Can HIV be prevented?
Yes, you can lower your risk of getting HIV. Use latex condoms every time you have sex and do not inject drugs. Ask your provider about PrEP, a daily medicine for people at very high risk.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - HIV
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Treating HIV
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Getting Tested for HIV
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.
