Can you have HIV for a long time and not know it?

One of the truly unfortunate things about STIs is that most people don’t experience any symptoms. Someone can have an STI for days, weeks, months, or even years, and not know it.

This is true of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as well.

If you think you may have HIV, know someone who may have it, or want to learn more about this serious infection, then keep reading.

How common is HIV in the Middle East?

The Middle East remains an area of high risk for HIV and AIDS.

The incidence of HIV in the Middle East has increased by 31% between 2001 and 2013, and new infections rose 25% between 2010 and 2019. Deaths from HIV in the region have continued to rise, largely due to low levels of antiretroviral therapy.

Unfortunately, the stigma associated with the virus keeps many people from seeking treatment. In particular, women living with HIV face denial of care, discrimination, and breaches of confidentiality from healthcare professionals.

How do you get HIV?

You can get HIV in a variety of ways, including:

• Exchanging bodily fluids through unprotected vaginal or anal sex
• Sharing needles
• Getting blood transfusions from a donor infected with HIV
• Getting a tattoo or piercing with improperly sterilized equipment

HIV can also be transferred from mother to child during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Can you have HIV without symptoms?

Yes, an HIV infection can be present in your body, and you can develop absolutely no symptoms. You may also develop certain symptoms that could be mistaken for another illness like the flu.

This is why it is important to get tested if you think you have been exposed to HIV. Many people wait for symptoms of an illness before getting tested or seeking treatment. Therefore, you should base your decision to get tested on actions and behaviours rather than symptoms alone.

If you have engaged in unsafe sexual behaviour, shared needles, or done anything that may have exposed you to HIV, you should get tested for it as soon as possible.

HIV progression without treatment

Without treatment, an HIV infection progresses through the body in three stages.

Stage 1: Acute HIV infection

An acute HIV infection (otherwise known as seroconversion illness) generally develops within 2-4 weeks after the initial infection. During this stage, HIV multiplies rapidly in the blood and spreads throughout the body, attacking and reprogramming the CD4 lymphocyte cells that help your body fight infections. Some people experience flu-like symptoms like fever, headache, or a rash, although other people will be completely asymptomatic. During the acute phase, levels of HIV in your blood will be very high and you will be very contagious.

Stage 2: Chronic HIV infection

During a chronic HIV infection (otherwise known as clinical latency), HIV will continue to multiply in your body, but at a slower rate than in the acute stage. You may not have any symptoms related to HIV, but the virus remains in the body and you will still be contagious. Without treatment, the amount of HIV in your blood will continue to grow over several years until the infection reaches its final stage.

Stage 3: AIDS

This is the most severe stage of an HIV infection. When you have AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), your immune system is so weak from the virus’s constant attacks that you cannot fight off other opportunistic infections, such as:

• Pneumonia
• Tuberculosis
• Thrush
• Toxoplasmosis
• Shingles
• Salmonella

Common symptoms of AIDS include:

• Weight loss
• Chronic diarrhoea
• Recurring infections
• Recurring rashes
• Recurring ulcers or thrush infections around the mouth or genitals
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Swollen lymph nodes

People with AIDS are also at substantially higher risk of developing certain types of cancer, including Kaposi sarcoma, B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and cervical cancer.

What is the life expectancy of people living with HIV?

HIV can seriously affect your life expectancy if left untreated.

One study conducted in 2017 found that if diagnosed with HIV at age 20, a person in a high-income country can expect to live another 43.3 years with treatment.

However, treatments are improving all the time, and an HIV diagnosis doesn’t mean a death sentence anymore. With the right treatment, people with HIV can live long lives.

If an HIV infection progresses into AIDS, life expectancy drops to only a few years.

How can I get tested for HIV?

Better2Know offers HIV testing for anyone who may need it. It is vital to get tested as soon as you suspect you may have been exposed to HIV.

Call the number above to speak to one of our Sexual Health Advisors or book your test online.

Different types of HIV tests are available, each one appropriate for different incubation periods.

• 28-Day HIV DUO Test: For those who may have been exposed at least 28 days before the test.
• 10-Day HIV RNA PCR Test: A test for HIV that is accurate only 10 days after potential exposure.

Better2Know has sexual health clinics all over the Middle East. Please click on the city nearest where you live to start the booking process.

• Dubai
• Abu Dhabi
• Ajman
• Doha
• Kuwait City
• Manama
• Muscat
• Riyadh

If you test positive for HIV, Better2Know is here to help. An HIV infection can be managed with the right antiretroviral therapy and antiretroviral drugs. Better2Know’s doctors can help you access the care you will need.

Final thoughts

It is possible to have any STI, including HIV, and not know you have it. That’s why it is important to get tested if you think you may have been exposed to the virus.

Call the number listed above to get tested for HIV today.