What should I do if experience symptoms of HIV?
If you have recently had sex without a condom or shared injecting needles or drug equipment and you experience symptoms of early HIV infection then you should have a HIV test.
Contact us to arrange a test or locate your nearest Sexual Health Clinic
The short video below demonstrates a simple mouth swab HIV test.
This type of test recognises HIV antibodies in saliva, not the HIV virus itself.
HIV cannot be transmitted through saliva.
Results are read in just 20 minutes. No blood sample is required.
The symptoms of HIV will vary from person to person and the only way to know your HIV status is to get a test.
However, we do know that there are similarities with approximately 70-90% of people recently diagnosed with HIV experiencing early symptoms which occur about a week to ten days after HIV infection.
These are the result of the body reacting to HIV infection.
The most common symptoms reported are severe flu-like symptoms, including a sore throat and fever, and a rash on the chest.
Other symptoms can include fatigue, nausea and diarrhoea and after two to three weeks these symptoms may disappear.
A person may then live for many years without any further symptoms or indications that they are HIV+. Even though they may not experience any symptoms, the virus will be causing damage to their body, and they may transmit HIV to their sexual partners.
We offer a rapid HIV testing service which provides indicative results from a saliva swab in just 20 minutes.
Call us on 9024 9268 to book a test.
Click here to find a Pop-Up HIV testing clinic near you.
All of our services, including testing are free. We are always grateful to receive donations.
Find out how to donate here.
It is important to remember, that HIV is a manageable condition, with scientific developments, most people who are HIV+ live a long and otherwise healthy, and fulfilling life on treatment.
That said, when a person receives a positive diagnosis it is life changing and it can be an extremely stressful time.
We're here to help. If you are recently diagnosed and would like our support, please contact us on 028 9024 9268.
Any person who is HIV + and is living in Northern Ireland can use our services. We may also be able to offer assistance to those who are in the region temporarily, those who commute from the south or who are resident in border counties.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Sharing a Diagnosis
Do I tell others?
Deciding on who else to tell is an important decision to make.
The stigma which still surrounds HIV, particularly in Northern Ireland, can make the decision about who to tell, what to tell them, and when a very difficult one.
Positive Life can help by providing confidential help and both practical and emotional support.
We can also provide family members with an opportunity to meet and talk with other people who are living with HIV so they can see firsthand that while life changing, an HIV diagnosis shouldn't be regarded any differently than MS, or diabetes or other long term health conditions.
However isolated you may feel, you are not alone. Many other people have been through and are going through similar experiences. Please get in touch if you need support.
For Family and friends of someone living with HIV
How can I best help and support my loved one?
Your family member will need time to adjust to the diagnosis in the days, months and years to come, as do you. There is no right or wrong way to cope with the news. Some people may want to find out everything they can about HIV, while others may want to push it to the back of their back of their mind. These reactions are natural and normal – the most important thing is to give yourself time to adjust.
As a family member of someone living with HIV, you may want to give support to them. Such support may be in providing a listening ear, talking things over or simply letting the person know you are there for them. If they have a period of illness, it may also involve giving practical help.
While providing support can be valuable for both of you, it can also be stressful for you and make demands on your well-being. While your loved one’s needs may often seem more important, it is vital that you do not forget about your own.