HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a sexually transmitted infection responsible for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) if left untreated. In the AIDS stage, the virus weakens or even destroys the immune system, leaving the patient vulnerable to multiple opportunistic infections. As a result, AIDS remains a fatal disease if left untreated.

While the treatments available in Belgium enable people living with HIV to remain in good health, stigma and discrimination continue to impact their quality of life.

HIV is transmitted :

  • unprotected vaginal or anal penetration.
  • when using injection equipment already used by a person carrying the virus;
  • during pregnancy (in the event of contact between maternal and fetal blood), childbirth and breastfeeding, but the risk of transmission is greatly reduced by treatment.

Between 2 and 8 weeks after infection, the highly active virus multiplies in the body. It is during this period of primary infection that it is most likely to be transmitted.

HIV is most often symptomless, but when symptoms do occur, they can be severe. 

very similar to those of influenza, and can appear between 2 and 8 weeks after infection.

After this period of primary infection, the HIV carrier no longer feels any symptoms, but the virus continues to develop in the body.

For several months or years, HIV infection remains undetected. Then, at an advanced stage, the disease - the AIDS stage - appears. At an advanced stage, it can lead to serious complications due to a decline in immune defenses.

If HIV infection is not treated in time, it progresses to AIDS, with serious complications such as various infections, the risk of cancer and more serious cardiovascular disease, and even death.

HIV screening is performed :

There are also specialized centers for HIV testing.

 

Partners should also be screened and treated if necessary.

Today, HIV treatments are able to block the development of the virus and preserve the health of people living with HIV. However, there is no cure for HIV. The virus remains present and starts to proliferate again if treatment is stopped, so it must be taken for life.

With treatment, the amount of virus becomes so low that it is said to be undetectable (laboratory tests no longer detect its presence in a blood sample), which also makes it non-transmissible. These treatments therefore also have a preventive effect for partners.

There are also preventive treatments against HIV that can be prescribed to HIV-negative* people at high risk of infection:

- PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis): treatment to be taken daily or occasionally during sexual relations.

- TPE (Traitement Post-Exposition): emergency treatment to be taken as soon as possible and no later than 72 hours after taking a risk**.

These treatments block the installation and development of HIV in the body.

* HIV-negative people are people who are not infected with HIV.

** Unprotected or poorly protected sexual intercourse (condom breaks, etc.) is considered to be risk-taking.

To protect yourself from HIV, you can :

To reduce the risk of microcracks, remember to use lubricant during sex.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, treatments are highly effective in reducing the risk of transmission to the child.

Sources

HIV and AIDS. (n. d.). sciensano.be. https://www.sciensano.be/fr/sujets-sante/vih-et-sida#qu-est-ce-le-vih-

SearchResults - Professional edition of the MSD Manual. (n.d.). Professional Edition of the MSD Manual. https://www.msdmanuals.com/fr/professional/searchresults?query=infection+by+the+virus+of+the%e2%80%99immunod%c3%a9human+deficiency+(hiv)&icd9=042%3bv01.79%3bv08%3bmm462

Cachay, E. R. (2023, February 8). Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. MSD Manuals for the General Public. https://www.msdmanuals.com/fr/accueil/infections/infection-par-le-virus-de-l%E2%80%99immunod%C3%A9ficience-humaine-vih/infection-par-le-virus-de-l%E2%80%99immunod%C3%A9ficience-humaine-vih

HIV transmission. (n.d.). CATIE - The Canadian Source for Information on HIV and Hepatitis C. https://www.catie.ca/fr/la-transmission-du-vih

Sciensano (2024). Epidemiology of AIDS and HIV infection in Belgium: 2024 report.

Cachay, E. R. (2023, September 21). Antiretroviral treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. MSD Manuals for the General Public. https://www.msdmanuals.com/fr/accueil/infections/infection-par-le-virus-de-l%E2%80%99immunod%C3%A9ficience-humaine-vih/traitement-antir%C3%A9troviral-de-l%E2%80%99infection-par-le-virus-de-l%E2%80%99immunod%C3%A9ficience-humaine-vih

How does PrEP work? - All you need to know about PrEP in Belgium (n.d.-b). https://myprep.be/?page_id=41

Other STIs

Other infections