HIV

Early symptoms, testing windows, PrEP and PEP, explained plainly.

9 guides

Can You Get HIV From Kissing or Oral Sex?Closed-mouth kissing can't transmit HIV, and oral sex carries little to no risk. What CDC says about saliva, deep kissing, oral sex and when to test.
Early Signs and Symptoms of HIVEarly HIV can cause a flu-like illness, or nothing at all. See which symptoms may appear, why they can't diagnose HIV, and when to test or ask about PEP.
HIV PEP: What to Do in the First 72 Hours After an ExposureThink you were exposed to HIV? PEP is emergency medicine that must start within 72 hours, sooner is better. Where to get it, what happens, and follow-up testing.
HIV Rash: What It Looks Like and When It AppearsWhat an early HIV rash can look like, when it may appear, why a rash alone can't diagnose HIV, and which test and timing give a real answer.
HIV Risk After a Condom Break or One-Time ExposureWhat CDC estimates for the chance of getting HIV from one exposure, how much condoms lower it, and why PEP within 72 hours matters most after a break.
HIV Testing: Window Periods, Results and Home KitsCDC window periods for each HIV test type, what a positive or negative result means, and how FDA-approved home HIV tests compare with lab tests.
How Long Does HIV Live Outside the Body?HIV does not survive long outside the body and cannot spread from surfaces. Here is what actually carries risk, what doesn't, and what to do after a real exposure.
Living With HIV: Undetectable = Untransmittable and Life ExpectancyWhat an undetectable viral load means, why the CDC says it prevents sexual transmission (U=U), how treatment works, and what living with HIV looks like today.
PrEP: How It Works and Can You Still Get HIV?How PrEP lowers your chance of getting HIV, who it is for, why rare infections can still happen on PrEP, and what to do about missed doses or an exposure.