HIV

HIV today: a permanent infection, a life without limits

An infection that changes a life

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a chronic viral infection. Receiving an HIV diagnosis is a major life event. It is a serious medical condition that requires lifelong follow-up and, unfortunately, is often accompanied by heavy social stigma.

Despite incredible scientific advances, prejudice and misinformation persist. For many people living with HIV (PLWHIV), one of the biggest challenges is navigating these prejudices. Understanding the medical reality of 2025 is therefore essential to break down taboos.

  • Not to be confused with AIDS: AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the most advanced stage of HIV infection, which can occur after years without treatment. Thanks to modern medications, most people living with HIV will never reach this stage.

Transmission and Screening: The 101

  • How is HIV transmitted?
    HIV is primarily transmitted through unprotected sexual contact (anal or vaginal) and by sharing injection equipment. It is not transmitted through saliva, tears, or everyday contact.

  • Screening and the window period
    Screening is done via a simple blood test. However, there is a delay between a potential exposure and when the infection becomes detectable: this is the "window period." With the 4th generation tests used today:

    • After 2 weeks: Most new infections are already detectable.
    • After 6 weeks: The result is considered over 99.9% reliable.
    • After 12 weeks (3 months): The result is considered 100% conclusive.

It is important to correctly assess your last potential risk to get tested at the right time. When in doubt, a healthcare professional can help you.

Symptoms and progression of untreated infection

Without treatment, HIV infection evolves through several phases:

  • Phase 1: Primary infection (Acute HIV)
    From 2 to 4 weeks after infection, some people develop flu-like symptoms (fever, fatigue, sore throat). However, many people have no symptoms, or symptoms so mild they go unnoticed.

  • Phase 2: Clinical latency (Chronic HIV)
    This is a long "silent" phase that can last 10 years or more. The virus slowly weakens the immune system, but the person generally feels well.

  • Phase 3: AIDS
    AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the most advanced stage. The immune system is so weakened that it can no longer fight off "opportunistic" infections. Thanks to modern treatments, the vast majority of people living with HIV will never reach this stage.

HIV treatment: A pharmacotherapy revolution

While the social impact remains a challenge, the medical reality has become very optimistic. Treatments have undergone a spectacular evolution, transforming a once-fatal disease into a perfectly manageable chronic health condition.

Triple therapy and its simplification

The major turning point was the arrival of triple therapy (a combination of at least three medications). The biggest progress was combining this triple therapy into a single pill, taken once a day, with very few side effects for most people.

Modern therapies: beyond viral suppression

Today, the goal is to maximize quality of life with personalized options:

  • Dual therapy: Effective treatments with only two medications, offering a "lighter" option for the body long-term.
  • Long-Acting Injectables: Injections (every 1 or 2 months) that free people from the mental load of a daily pill.
  • The Future: Research continues, with even longer-acting options (e.g., injections every 6 months) like lenacapavir in development.

U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable): The Scientific Fact That Changes Everything

A person living with HIV who takes their treatment rigorously will have a viral load that becomes undetectable in the blood. The scientific evidence is formal: when the viral load has been undetectable for at least 6 months, that person can no longer transmit HIV to their sexual partners.

This scientific principle, called U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable), is a major advance in HIV prevention and the fight against stigma.

Prevention: Your toolbox to outsmart the infection

Prevention remains essential. Your "toolbox" to avoid HIV includes:

  • The condom: Effective protection against HIV and most other STIs.
  • Regular screening: The only way to know your status and act quickly.
  • PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis): A preventive treatment that reduces the risk of acquiring HIV by over 99%.
  • PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis): A 28-day emergency treatment to take after a potential exposure.
  • Treatment as Prevention (TasP / U=U): A person living with HIV on effective treatment with an undetectable viral load does not transmit the virus. Treating HIV is also prevention.

Your pharmacist: An ally to navigate the options

In this landscape of increasingly personalized treatments, the pharmacist's role is central. We are here to help you understand the nuances of each option, manage potential interactions, and support you with complete confidentiality.

Useful resources and links

For more information or for support, here are some trusted resources:

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