What is HIV?
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that weakens the immune system by attacking white blood cells, making it difficult for the body to fight infections making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases. According to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Fiji experienced a significant rise in HIV cases in 2024, with 1,583 new cases reported between January and December. In response to this rapid increase, the Ministry has officially declared an HIV outbreak. Additionally, HIV incidence in Fiji has grown steadily over the last 25 years—from 0.7 to 7 per 100,000 population.
What is AIDS?
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the finak and most severe stage of HIV infection. It occurs when the immune system is severly damaged and the body can no longer fight off infections and diseases effectively. A person who has AIDS may have the symptoms of various diseases he/she has acquired, such as Tuberculosis (TB), meningitis and cancer.
How is HIV spread?
HIV is not spread like a cold or flu. There are three main ways of becoming infected with HIV:
- through the direct exchange of body fluid through unprotected penetrative sex – oral, anal or vaginal
- by getting infected blood into your blood stream; this can happen if dirty needles or syringes are shared with an infected person
- from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, birth or breast-feeding.
Symptoms of HIV
Early symptoms may include:
- Fever, chills, and night sweats.
- Fatigue and swollen lymph nodes.
- Rash and sore throat.
- Muscle aches and mouth ulcers.
- If untreated, HIV weakens the immune system, increasing vulnerability to infections and certain cancers.
How do I know if I have HIV?
The only way to know if you have HIV is through a blood test. While results typically take two to four weeks, it’s important to note that if you were only recently exposed, the virus may not be immediately detectable. This is due to the window period, during which early testing can result in a false negative. It is recommended to get tested at least three weeks after potential exposure, and if you are at high risk, a follow-up test after three months is advised for confirmation. If you believe you may have been exposed to HIV, visit your nearest health centre or Medical Services Pacific without delay. If you think you might have been exposed to HIV, please visit your nearest health centre or Medical Services Pacific immediately.
Treatment
At the moment, HIV has no cure and if left untreated will lead to death; however, it can be managed by a stringent drug regime monitored by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services. These drugs must be taken daily and for the rest of your life. They can have unpleasant side effects, so it is best to avoid getting HIV in the first place.
PEP Treatment
PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) treatment is an anti-retroviral medication that can reduce the risk of contracting HIV if taken within 72 hours (three days) after having either unprotected sex or other dangerous exposure.
If you have had unprotected sex and are worried about HIV, you should contact your nearest Ministry of Health and Medical Services STI Hub or Medical Services Pacific immediately.
