Hiv Aids

Early symptoms in
primary HIV
The first noticeable stage is primary HIV
infection. This stage is also called acute
retroviral syndrome (ARS), or acute HIV
infection. Because HIV infection at this stage
usually causes flu-like symptoms, it’s possible for
someone in this stage to think their symptoms
are due to a severe flu rather than HIV. Fever is
the most common symptom.
Other symptoms include:
 headaches
 sore throat
 excessive fatigue
 chills
 muscle pain
 swollen lymph nodes
 maculopapular truncal rash
According to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, primary
HIV symptoms may show up two to four weeks
after initial exposure. Symptoms can continue for
up to several weeks. However, some people
may exhibit the symptoms only for a few days.
People with early HIV sometimes don’t show any

symptoms, yet they can still transmit the virus to
others. This is attributed to the fast, unrestrained
viral replication that occurs in the early weeks
after contracting the virus.
Lack of symptoms in
early stages
ARS is common once a person has HIV. Still,
this isn’t the case for everyone. Some people
have HIV for years before they know they have
it. According to HIV.gov, symptoms of HIV may
not appear for a decade or longer. This doesn’t
mean that cases of HIV without symptoms are
less serious. Also, a person who doesn’t
experience symptoms could still transmit HIV to
others.
Symptoms in early HIV tend to appear if the rate
of cell destruction is high. Not having symptoms
can mean that not as many CD4 cells, a type of
white blood cell, are killed early on in the
disease. Even though a person has no
symptoms, they still have the virus. That’s why
regular HIV testingis critical to prevent
transmission. It’s also important to understand
the difference between a CD4 count and a viral
load.
Latency causes a
break in symptoms
After initial exposure and possible primary
infection, HIV may transition into a stage called
clinically latent infection. It’s also referred to as
asymptomatic HIV infection due to a noticeable
lack of symptoms. This lack of symptoms
includes possible chronic symptoms.
According to the Mayo Clinic, latency in HIV

infection can last for 10 years. This doesn’t mean
that HIV is gone, nor does it mean that the virus
can’t be transmitted to others. Clinically latent
infection may progress to the third and final
stage of HIV, also referred to as AIDS.
The risk for progression is higher if a person with

HIV isn’t receiving treatment, such as
antiretroviral therapy. It’s important to take
prescribed medications during all stages of HIV
— even if there aren’t any noticeable
symptoms. There are several medications used
for HIV treatment.
Chronic HIV
After acute infection, HIV is considered chronic.
This means that the disease is ongoing.
Symptoms of chronic HIV can vary. There can
be long periods when the virus is present but
symptoms are minimal.
In more advanced stages of chronic HIV,

symptoms can be much more severe than they
are in ARS. People with advanced, chronic HIV
can experience episodes of:
 coughing or breathing difficulties

 weight loss
 diarrhea
 fatigue
 high fever
AIDS is the final

stage
Controlling HIV with medications is crucial to
both maintaining quality of life and helping
prevent progression of the disease. Stage 3 HIV,
also known as AIDS, develops when HIV has
significantly weakened the immune system.
According to the CDC National Prevention

Information Network, CD4 levels give one
indication that HIV has progressed to its final
stage. CD4 levels decreasing below 200 cells
per cubic millimeter (mm3) of blood is considered
a sign of AIDS. A normal range is considered
500 to 1,600 cells/mm3.
AIDS can be diagnosed with a blood test to

measure CD4. Sometimes it’s also determined
simply by a person’s overall health. In particular,
an infection that’s rare in people who don’t have
HIV may indicate AIDS. Symptoms of AIDS
include:
 persistent high fevers of over 100°F (37.8°C)

 severe chills and night sweats
 white spots in the mouth
 genital or anal sores
 severe fatigue
 rashes that can be brown, red, purple, or
pink in color
 regular coughing and breathing problems
 significant weight loss
 persistent headaches
 memory problems
 pneumonia
AIDS is the final stage of HIV. According to

the Mayo Clinic, most people with HIV who don’t
get treatment develop AIDS within 10 years.
At that point, the body is susceptible to a wide

range of infections and can’t effectively fight
them off. Medical intervention is necessary to
treat AIDS-related illnesses or complications that
can otherwise be fatal. Without treatments,
the CDC estimates the average survival rate to
be three years once AIDS is diagnosed.
Depending on the severity of their condition, a
person’s outlook may be significantly shorter.
The key to living with HIV is to continue seeing a

healthcare provider for regular treatments. New
or worsening symptoms are reasons enough to
visit one as soon as possible. It’s also important
to know how HIV affects the body.
FAST FACTS
• If you find out you have HIV, it's recommended that you start antiretroviral treatment as soon
as possible.
• Taking treatment as prescribed by your doctor keeps you healthy and reduces your chances of
passing HIV on to others.
• There are lots of different antiretroviral drug combinations. Your healthcare worker can advise
on your options.
Whether you have recently found out you have HIV or have known for a while, you may have
questions about starting HIV treatment. You may have heard about HIV treatment – also called
antiretroviral treatment (ART) – or know someone else who is taking it. Talk to your doctor
about any questions you have - the information on this page should help you to think about the
questions you might want to ask.
What is antiretroviral treatment?

Antiretroviral treatment (also known as antiretroviral therapy or ART) are the drugs that treat
HIV. Many people living with HIV are taking treatment and staying healthyas a result. Current
treatment for HIV is not a cure for HIV, but it can keep HIV under control very effectively.
How does antiretroviral treatment work?

ART works by keeping the level of HIV in your body low (your viral load). This lets your
immune system recover and stay strong.
Keeping your viral load low also helps to prevent HIV being passed on.
With good healthcare and treatment, many people with HIV are living just as long as people who
don’t have HIV.
You can continue to have relationships, to work or study, to make plans, to have a family –
whatever you would have done before your HIV diagnosis.
Effective treatment also means that some people living with HIV are achieving an undetectable
viral load. This means that the virus exists in such small quantities in their blood that it does not
affect their health and there is zero risk of transmitting the virus on to others. But remember that
if you stop taking your medication then your viral load will go back up again.
When should I start antiretroviral treatment?

Without treatment, people living with HIV can become ill because of the damage HIV does to
the immune system. The immune system is your body’s way of protecting itself from illnesses
caused by germs, bacteria or infections.
It is now recommended that people living with HIV start antiretroviral treatment straight away.
This is being implemented in an increasing number of countries. In some places, the decision
about when to start treatment is still dependent upon a CD4 count test, which looks at how many
CD4 cells are in a small amount of blood.
The CD4 cells (also called T-helper cells) are an important part of the immune system because
they fight germs and infections. HIV attacks CD4 cells and reduces the number of them in your
body. Without treatment, HIV slowly weakens the immune system, making it harder for your
body to fight off illness or infection.
You and your healthcare professional will discuss the best time to start treatment.
HIV is an infection that

can lead to AIDS.
Once you have HIV, the
virus stays in your body
for life. There’s no cure for
HIV, but medicines can
help you stay healthy. HIV
medicine lowers or even
stops your chances of
spreading the virus to
other people. Studies
show that using HIV
treatment as directed can
lower the amount of HIV
in your blood so much
that it might not even
show up on a test —
when this happens, you
can’t transmit HIV through
sex.
Treatment is really
important (that’s
why getting tested is so
important). Without
treatment, HIV can lead to
AIDS. But with medicine,
people with HIV can live
long, healthy lives and
stop the spread of HIV to
others.
Treatment can delay or
even prevent you from
ever developing AIDS.
The signs of AIDS
include:
 Thrush (a thick, white
coating on your tongue
or mouth)
 Sore throat
 Bad yeast infections
 Chronic pelvic
inflammatory disease
 Getting bad infections a
lot
 Feeling really tired,
dizzy, and lightheaded
 Headaches
 Losing lots of weight
quickly
 Bruising more easily
than normal
 Having diarrhea, fevers,
or night sweats for a
long time
 Swollen or firm glands
in your throat, armpit, or
groin
 Deep, dry coughing
spells
 Feeling short of breath
 Purplish growths on
your skin or inside your
mouth
 Bleeding from the
mouth, nose, anus, or
vagina
 Skin rashes
 Feeling very numb in
your hands or feet,
losing control of your
muscles and reflexes,
not being able to move,
and losing strength in
your muscles
How can I prevent HIV?
HIV is spread through
semen, vaginal fluids,
blood, and breast milk.
Protect yourself by using
condoms every time you
have sex, and don’t share
needles with anyone. You
can also ask your doctor
about PrEP — a daily pill
that helps prevent HIV.
How do I avoid getting
HIV during sex?
HIV is spread through
contact with blood or
sexual fluids (like semen
and vaginal fluids),
usually during vaginal and
anal sex. So the only
100% certain way to avoid
HIV is to not have vaginal
or anal sex.
But most people do have
sex at some point in their
lives, so learning about
HIV prevention and
knowing how to
have safer sex is
important.
Using condoms REALLY
lowers your risk of getting
HIV. If you’re going to
have sex, using condoms
every single time is the
best way to protect
yourself from HIV. There’s
also a daily pill you can
take — called PrEP —
that can help prevent HIV.
Your doctor or nurse can
tell you if PrEP is right for
you.
Some sexual activities are
safer than others when it
comes to getting HIV.
These activities are “no
risk” — they’ve never
caused a reported case of
HIV:
 masturbating
 touching your partner’s
genitals
 rubbing your bodies
together (dry humping)
 kissing
 having oral sex with a
condom or dental dam
 using clean sex toys
These activities are “lower
risk” — they’ve only
caused a few reported
cases of HIV (out of
millions):
 "French” or deep
kissing (if the person
with HIV has sores or
bleeding in their mouth)
 vaginal sex with a
condom and/or PrEP
 anal sex with a
condom and/or PrEP
 oral sex without a
condom or dental dam
These activities are “high
risk” — millions of people
get HIV this way:
 vaginal sex without a
condom or PrEP
 anal sex without a
condom or PrEP
It’s easier for HIV to get
into your body if you have
sores, cuts, or openings in
your skin that semen
(cum), vaginal fluids, or
blood may get into. So
don’t have sex if you have
a herpes outbreak or
other infections. Having
other STDs makes you
more likely to get HIV, so
it’s a good idea to get
tested for STDs regularly.
There’s no vaccine that
protects against HIV, but
lots of people are working
on making one. And there
are medicines
(called PEP and PrEP)
that can help prevent HIV.
If you don’t have HIV and
your partner does, they
can get on an HIV
treatment called
antiretroviral therapy
(ART). ART can lower
their chance of spreading
HIV during sex. And some
people who are on
ART can’t transmit HIV to
their partner at all.
What is PrEP and how
does it prevent HIV?
PrEP stands for pre-
exposure prophylaxis. It’s
a pill you take once a day
that can help you prevent
HIV. Your doctor or nurse
can help you decide if
PrEP makes sense for
you. Read more about
PrEP.
What is PEP and how
does it prevent HIV?
PEP stands for post-
exposure prophylaxis. It’s
a series of pills you start
taking after you’ve been
exposed to HIV that
lowers your chances of
getting HIV. You have to
start PEP within 72 hours
(3 days), after you were
exposed to HIV for it to
work. The sooner you
start it, the better. Every
hour counts, so if you
think you were exposed to
HIV, call your nurse or
doctor or go to the
emergency room right
away. PEP is only for
emergencies — it doesn’t
take the place of using
condoms or PrEP. Read
more about PEP.
What is ART and how
does it help prevent
HIV?
Antiretroviral therapy
(ART) is a combination of
medicines that slows
down the effects of HIV in
your body and can help
you stay healthy for many
years. It can also lower or
even stop your chances of
giving HIV to anyone else.
ART lowers the amount of
HIV in your body (called
your viral load) —
sometimes to the point
where HIV won’t show up
on standard blood tests. If
your HIV viral load is so
low that certain tests can’t
see it, it’s called
“undetectable.” When
someone has an
undetectable viral load,
they can’t spread HIV to
others during sex.
It’s important to remember
that even with an
undetectable viral load,
HIV is still present in your
body. If you stop
treatment your viral load
can go up, making it
possible to pass HIV to
others you have sex with.
Your doctor or nurse can
help you find the
treatment that’s best for
you to help keep your viral
load low, so you can stay
healthy.
How can I make sure I
don’t give HIV to anyone
during sex?
If you find out that you
have HIV, try to stay calm.
People living with HIV can
have normal, healthy
relationships and sex
lives. But it’s important to
take precautions to help
your partner(s) stay HIV-
free.
There are a few ways that
you can avoid giving HIV
to other people:
 Always use condoms
when you have vaginal
and anal sex.
 Start treatment for
HIV as soon as
possible, and keep
taking your HIV
medicine. When you
take it correctly, HIV
treatment can lower or
even stop your chances
of spreading the virus to
your sexual partners
(and help you stay
healthy).
 There’s a daily pill your
partner can take to
lower the risk of getting
HIV, called PrEP.
 Don’t share needles for
shooting drugs,
piercings, or tattoos.
 Get tested and treated
for other STDs besides
HIV regularly. Having
other STDs makes it
easier for you to spread
HIV to others.
If you test positive for HIV,
it’s important to tell your
sexual partners about it
so they can be tested,
too. Even if you’re really
careful to not spread HIV,
be honest with your future
partners about your status
so you can both be
informed and help each
other stay healthy
Explaining HIV and AIDS

HIV is a virus that targets
and alters the immune
system, increasing the
risk and impact of other
infections and diseases.
Without treatment, the
infection might progress
to an advanced disease
stage called AIDS.
However, modern
advances in treatment
mean that people living
with HIV in countries with
good access to healthcare
very rarely develop AIDS
once they are receiving
treatment.
The life expectancy of a
person who carries the
HIV virus is now
approaching that of a
person that tests negative
for the virus, as long as
they adhere to a
combination of
medications called
(ART) on an ongoing
basis.
The World Health
Organization (WHO) also
advises that a person
living with HIV can
resume a high quality of
life with treatment, and
that 20.9 million people
worldwide were receiving
ART as of mid-2017.
In this article, we explain
HIV and AIDS, their
symptoms, causes, and
treatments.
Causes
People transmit HIV in
bodily fluids, including:
 blood
 semen
 vaginal secretions
 anal fluids
 breast milk
In the United States,
the main causes of this
transfer of fluids are:
 anal or vaginal
intercourse with a person
who has HIV while not
using a condom or PrEP,
a preventive HIV
medication for people at
high risk of infection
 sharing equipment for
injectable illicit drugs,
hormones, and steroids
with a person who has
HIV
A woman living with HIV
who is pregnant or has
recently given birth might
transfer the disease to her
child during pregnancy,
childbirth, or
breastfeeding.
The risk of HIV
transmitting through blood
transfusions is extremely
low in countries that have
effective screening
procedures in place for
blood donations.
Undetectable =
untransmittable
To transmit HIV, these
fluids must contain
enough of the virus. If a
person has 'undetectable'
HIV, they will not transmit
HIV to another person,
even if after a transfer of
fluids.
Undetectable HIV is when
the amount of HIV in the
body is so low that a
blood test cannot detect it.
People may be able to
achieve undetectable
levels of HIV by closely
following the prescribed
course of treatment.
Confirming and regularly
monitoring undetectable
status using a blood test
is important, as this does
not mean that the person
no longer has HIV.
Undetectable HIV relies
on the person adhering to
their treatment, as well as
the effectiveness of the
treatment itself.
Progression to AIDS
The risk of HIV
progressing to AIDS
varies widely between
individuals and depends
on many factors,
including:
 the age of the individual
 the body's ability to
defend against HIV
 access to high-quality,
sanitary healthcare
 the presence of other
infections
 the individual's genetic
inheritance resistance to
certain strains of HIV
 drug-resistant strains of
HIV
Symptoms
For the most part,
infections by other
bacteria, viruses, fungi, or
parasites cause the more
severe symptoms of HIV.
These conditions tend to
progress further in people
who live with HIV than in
individuals with healthy
immune systems. A
correctly functioning
immune system would
protect the body against
the more advanced
effects of infections, and
HIV disrupts this process.
Early symptoms of HIV
infection
Sweats are an early sign

of HIV, but many people
do not know they have the
disease for years.
Some people with HIV do
not show symptoms until
months or even years
after contracting the virus.
However, around 80
percent of people may
develop a set of flu-like
symptoms known as
acute retroviral syndrome
around 2–6 weeks after
the virus enters the body.
The early symptoms of
HIV infection may include:
 fever
 chills
 joint pain
 muscle aches
 sore throat
 sweats. particularly at
night
 enlarged glands
 a red rash
 tiredness
 weakness
 unintentional weight loss
 thrush
These symptoms might
also result from the
immune system fighting
off many types of viruses.
However, people who
experience several of
these symptoms and
know of any reason they
might have been at risk of
contracting HIV over the
last 6 weeks should take
a test.
Asymptomatic HIV
In many cases, after the
symptoms of acute
retroviral syndrome,
symptoms might not occur
for many years.
During this time, the virus
continues to develop and
cause immune system
and organ damage.
Without medication that
prevents the replication of
the virus, this slow
process can continue for
an average of around 10
years.
A person living with HIV
often experiences no
symptoms, feels well, and
appears healthy.
Complying rigidly to a
course of ART can disrupt
this phase and suppress
the virus completely.
Taking effective
antiretroviral medications
for life can halt on-going
damage to the immune
system.
Late-stage HIV infection
Without medication, HIV
weakens the ability to
fight infection. The person
becomes vulnerable to
serious illnesses. This
stage is known as AIDS
or stage 3 HIV.
Symptoms of late-stage
HIV infection may include:
 blurred vision
 diarrhea, which is usually
persistent or chronic
 dry cough
 a fever of over 100 °F (37
°C) lasting for weeks
 night sweats
 permanent tiredness
 shortness of breath, or
dyspnea
 swollen glands lasting for
weeks
 unintentional weight loss
 white spots on the tongue
or mouth
During late-stage HIV
infection, the risk of
developing a life-
threatening illness
increases greatly. A
person with late-stage
HIV can control, prevent
and treat serious
conditions by taking other
medications alongside
HIV treatment.
Prevention
Preventing OIs is key to
extending life expectancy
with late-stage HIV. Aside
from managing HIV viral
load with medications, a
person who lives with the
disease must take
precautions, including the
following steps:
 Wear condoms to prevent
other STIs.
 Receive vaccinations for
potential OIs. Discuss
these with your primary
care physician.
 Understand the germs in
your surrounding
environment that could
lead to an OI. A pet cat,
for example, could be a
source of toxoplasmosis.
Limit exposure and take
precautions, such as
wearing protective gloves
while changing litter
 Avoid foods that are at
risk of contamination,
such as undercooked
eggs, unpasteurized dairy
and fruit juice, or raw
seed sprouts.
 Do not drink water
straight from a lake or
river or tap water in
certain foreign countries.
Drink bottled water or use
water filters.
 Ask your doctor about
work, home, and vacation
activities to limit exposure
to potential OIs.
Antibiotic, antifungal, or
antiparasitic drugs can
help treat an OI.
HIV and AIDS myths and
facts
Many misconceptions
circulate about HIV that
are harmful and
stigmatizing for people
with the virus.
The following cannot
transmit the virus:
 shaking hands
 hugging
 kissing
sneezing
touching unbroken skin
using the same toilet
sharing towels
sharing cutlery
mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation or other
forms of "casual contact"
the saliva, tears, feces,
and urine of a person
with HIV
A Comprehensive Guide
to HIV and AIDS
What is HIV?
HIV is a virus that
damages the immune
system. The immune
system helps the body
fight off infections.
Untreated HIV infects and
kills CD4 cells, which are
a type of immune cell
called T cells. Over time,
as HIV kills more CD4
cells, the body is more
likely to get various types
of infections and cancers.
HIV is transmitted through
bodily fluids that include:
 blood
 semen
 vaginal and rectal fluids
 breast milk
The virus doesn’t spread
in air or water, or through
casual contact.
HIV is a lifelong condition
and currently there is no
cure, although many
scientists are working to
find one. However, with
medical care, including
treatment called
antiretroviral therapy, it’s
possible to manage HIV
and live with the virus for
many years.
Without treatment, a
person with HIV is likely to
develop a serious
condition called AIDS. At
that point, the immune
system is too weak to
fight off other diseases
and infections. Untreated,
life expectancy with AIDS
is about three
yearsTrusted Source.
With antiretroviral therapy,
HIV can be well-controlled
and life expectancy can
be nearly the same as
someone who has not
contracted HIV.
HIV and AIDS: What’s
the connection?
To develop AIDS, a
person has to have
contracted HIV. But
having HIV doesn’t
necessarily mean that
someone will develop
AIDS.
Cases of HIV progress
through three stages:
 stage 1: acute stage,
the first few weeks after
transmission
 stage 2: clinical latency,
or chronic stage
 stage 3: AIDS
As HIV lowers the CD4
cell count, the immune
system weakens. A
typical adult’s CD4 count
is 500 to a1,500 per cubic
millimeter. A person with
a count below 200 is
considered to have AIDS.
How quickly a case of HIV
progresses through the
chronic stage varies
significantly from person
to person. Without
treatment, it can last up to
a decade before
advancing to AIDS. With
treatment, it can last
indefinitely.
There is no cure for HIV,
but it can be controlled.
People with HIV often
have a near-normal
lifespan with early
treatment with
antiretroviral therapy.
Along those same lines,
there’s technically no cure
for AIDS. However,
treatment can increase a
person’s CD4 count to the
point where they’re
considered to no longer
have AIDS. (This point is
a count of 200 or higher.)
Also, treatment can
typically help manage
opportunistic infections.
HIV and AIDS are related,
but they’re not the same
thing.
HIV transmission: Know
the facts
Anyone can contract HIV.
The virus is transmitted in
bodily fluids that include:
 blood
 semen
 vaginal and rectal fluids
 breast milk
Some of the ways HIV is
spread from person to
person include:
 through vaginal or anal
sex — the most
common route of
transmission, especially
among men who have
sex with men
 by sharing needles,
syringes, and other
items for injection drug
use
 by sharing tattoo
equipment without
sterilizing it between
uses
 during pregnancy, labor,
or delivery from a
woman to her baby
 during breastfeeding
 through “pre-
mastication,” or chewing
a baby’s food before
feeding it to them
 through exposure to the
blood of someone living
with HIV, such as
through a needle stick
The virus can also be
transmitted through a
blood transfusion or organ
and tissue transplant.
However, rigorous testing
for HIV among blood,
organ, and tissue donors
ensures that this is very
rare in the United States.
It’s theoretically possible,
but considered extremely
rare, for HIV to spread
through:
 oral sex (only if there
are bleeding gums or
open sores in the
person’s mouth)
 being bitten by a person
with HIV (only if the
saliva is bloody or there
are open sores in the
person’s mouth)
 contact between broken
skin, wounds, or
mucous membranes
and the blood of
someone living with HIV
HIV does NOT spread
through:
 skin-to-skin contact
 hugging, shaking
hands, or kissing
 air or water
 sharing food or drinks,
including drinking
fountains
 saliva, tears, or sweat
(unless mixed with the
blood of a person with
HIV)
 sharing a toilet, towels,
or bedding
 mosquitoes or other
insects
It’s important to note that
if a person with HIV is
being treated and has a
persistently undetectable
viral load, it’s virtually
impossible to transmit the
virus to another person.
Causes of AIDS
AIDS is caused by HIV. A
person can’t get AIDS if
they haven’t contracted
HIV.
Healthy individuals have a
CD4 count of 500 to 1,500
per cubic millimeter.
Without treatment, HIV
continues to multiply and
destroy CD4 cells. If a
person’s CD4 count falls
below 200, they have
AIDS.
Also, if someone with HIV
develops an opportunistic
infection associated with
HIV, they can still be
diagnosed with AIDS,
even if their CD4 count is
above 200.
What tests are used to
diagnose HIV?
Several different tests can
be used to diagnose HIV.
Healthcare providers
determine which test is
best for each person.
Antibody/antigen tests
Antibody/antigen tests are
the most commonly used
tests. They can show
positive results typically
within 18–45 daysTrusted
Source after someone
initially contracts HIV.
These tests check the
blood for antibodies and
antigens. An antibody is a
type of protein the body
makes to fight an
infection. An antigen, on
the other hand, is the part
of the virus that activates
the immune system.
Antibody tests
These tests check the
blood solely for
antibodies. Between 23
and 90 daysTrusted
Source after transmission,
most people will develop
detectable HIV antibodies,
which can be found in the
blood or saliva.
These tests are done
using blood tests or
mouth swabs, and there’s
no preparation necessary.
Some tests provide
results in 30 minutes or
less and can be
performed in a healthcare
provider’s office or clinic.
Other antibody tests can
be done at home:
 OraQuick HIV Test. An
oral swab provides
results in as little as 20
minutes.
 Home Access HIV-1
Test System. After the
person pricks their
finger, they send a
blood sample to a
licensed laboratory.
They can remain
anonymous and call for
results the next
business day.
If someone suspects
they’ve been exposed to
HIV but tested negative in
a home test, they should
repeat the test in three
months. If they have a
positive result, they
should follow up with their
healthcare provider to
confirm.
Nucleic acid test (NAT)
This expensive test isn’t
used for general
screening. It’s for people
who have early symptoms
of HIV or have a known
risk factor. This test
doesn’t look for
antibodies; it looks for the
virus itself. It takes from 5
to 21 days for HIV to
be detectable in the
blood. This test is usually
accompanied or
confirmed by an antibody
test.
Today, it’s easier than
ever to get tested for
HIV. Learn more about
HIV home testing options.
What’s the HIV window
period?
As soon as someone
contracts HIV, it starts to
reproduce in their body.
The person’s immune
system reacts to the
antigens (parts of the
virus) by producing
antibodies (cells that fight
the virus).
The time between
exposure to HIV and
when it becomes
detectable in the blood is
called the HIV window
period. Most people
develop detectable HIV
antibodies within 23 to 90
days after infection.
If a person takes an HIV
test during the window
period, it’s likely they’ll
receive a negative result.
However, they can still
transmit the virus to
others during this time. If
someone thinks they may
have been exposed to
HIV but tested negative
during this time, they
should repeat the test in a
few months to confirm
(the timing depends on
the test used). And during
that time, they need to
use condoms to prevent
possibly spreading HIV.
Someone who tests
negative during the
window might benefit
from post-exposure
prophylaxis (PEP). This is
medication taken after an
exposure to prevent
getting HIV. PEP needs to
be taken as soon as
possible after the
exposure; it should be
taken no later than 72
hours after exposure, but
ideally before then.
Another way to prevent
getting HIV is pre-
exposure prophylaxis
(PrEP). A combination of
HIV drugs taken before
potential exposure to HIV,
PrEP can lower the risk of
contracting or spreading
HIV when taken
consistently.
Timing is important when
testing for HIV. Learn
more about how timing
affects HIV test results.
The first few weeks after
someone contracts HIV is
called the acute infection
stage. During this time,
the virus reproduces
rapidly. The person’s
immune system responds
by producing HIV
antibodies. These are
proteins that fight
infection.
During this stage, some
people have no symptoms
at first. However, many
people experience
symptoms in the first
month or two after
contracting the virus, but
often don’t realize they’re
caused by HIV. This is
because symptoms of the
acute stage can be very
similar to those of the flu
or other seasonal viruses.
They may be mild to
severe, they may come
and go, and they may last
anywhere from a few days
to several weeks.
can include:
 fever
 chills
 general aches and
pains
 skin rash
 sore throat
 headache
 nausea
 upset stomach
Because these symptoms
are similar to common
illnesses like the flu, the
person with them might
not think they need to see
a healthcare provider.
And even if they do, their
healthcare provider might
suspect
the flu or mononucleosis a
nd might not even
consider HIV.
Whether a person has
symptoms or not, during
this period their viral
loadis very high. The viral
load is the amount of HIV
found in the bloodstream.
A high viral load means
that HIV can be easily
transmitted to someone
else during this time.
Initial HIV symptoms
usually resolve within a
few months as the person
enters the chronic, or
clinical latency, stage of
HIV. This stage can last
many years or even
decades with treatment.
HIV symptoms can vary
from person to
person. Learn more about
the early symptoms of
HIV.
What are the symptoms
of HIV?
After the first month or so,
HIV enters the clinical
latency stage. This stage
can last from a few years
to a few decades. Some
people don’t have any
symptoms during this
time, while others may
have minimal or
nonspecific symptoms. A
nonspecific symptom is a
symptom that doesn’t
pertain to one specific
disease or condition.
These nonspecific
symptoms may include:
 headaches and other
aches and pains
 recurrent fevers
 night sweats
 fatigue
 nausea
 vomiting
 diarrhea
 weight loss
 skin rashes
 recurrent oral or vaginal
yeast infections
 pneumonia
 shingles
As with the early stage,
HIV is still infectious
during this time even
without symptoms and
can be transmitted to
another person. However,
a person won’t know they
have HIV unless they get
tested. If someone has
these symptoms and
thinks they may have
been exposed to HIV, it’s
important that they get
tested.
HIV symptoms at this
stage may come and go,
or they may progress
rapidly. This progression
can be slowed
substantially with
treatment. With the
consistent use of this
antiretroviral therapy,
chronic HIV can last for
decades and will likely not
develop into AIDS, if
treatment was started
early enough. Learn more
about how HIV symptoms
can progress over time.
Is rash a symptom of
HIV?
About 90 percent of
people with HIV
experience changes to
their skin. Rash is often
one of the first symptoms
of HIV infection.
Generally, an HIV rash
appears as multiple small
red lesions that are flat
and raised.
Rash related to HIV
HIV makes someone
more susceptible to skin
problems because the
virus destroys immune
system cells that fight
infection. Co-infections
that can cause rash
include:
 molluscum contagiosum
 herpes simplex
 shingles
The appearance of the
rash, how long it lasts,
and how it can be treated
depends on the cause.
Rash related to
medication
While rash can be caused
by HIV co-infections, it
can also be caused by
medication. Some drugs
used to treat HIV or other
infections can cause a
rash. This type of rash
usually appears within a
week or two of starting a
new medication.
Sometimes the rash will
clear up on its own. If it
doesn’t, a change in
medications may be
needed.
Rash due to an allergic
reaction to medication can
be serious. Other
symptoms of an allergic
reaction include trouble
breathing or swallowing,
dizziness, and fever.
Stevens-Johnson
syndrome (SJS) is a rare
allergic reaction to HIV
medication. Symptoms
include fever and swelling
of the face and tongue. A
blistering rash, which can
involve the skin and
mucous membranes,
appears and spreads
quickly. When 30
percent of the skin is
affected it’s called toxic
epidermal necrolysis,
which is a life-threatening
condition. If this develops,
emergency medical care
is needed.
While rash can be linked
with HIV or HIV
medications, it’s important
to keep in mind that
rashes are common and
can have many other
causes. Learn more about
HIV rash.
HIV symptoms in men:
Is there a difference?
Symptoms of HIV vary
from person to person,
but they’re similar in men
and women. These
symptoms can come and
go or get progressively
worse.
If a person has been
exposed to HIV, they may
also have been exposed
to other sexually
transmitted infections
(STIs). These
include gonorrhea, chlam
ydia, syphilis,
and trichomoniasis. Men
may be more likely than
women to notice
symptoms of STIs such
as sores on their genitals.
However, men typically
don’t seek medical care
as often as women. Learn
more about HIV
symptoms in men.
HIV symptoms in
women: Is there a
difference?
For the most part,
symptoms of HIV are
similar in men and
women. However,
symptoms they
experience overall may
differ based on the
different risks men and
women face if they have
HIV.
Both men and women
with HIV are at increased
risk of sexually
(STIs). However, women
may be less likely than
men to notice small spots
or other changes to their
genitals.
In addition, women with
HIV are at increased risk
of:
 recurrent vaginal yeast
infections
 other vaginal infections,
including bacterial
vaginosis
 pelvic inflammatory
disease (PID)
 menstrual cycle
changes
 human papillomavirus
(HPV), which can
cause genital warts and
lead to cervical cancer
While not related to HIV
symptoms, another risk
for women with HIV is that
the virus can be
transmitted to a baby
during pregnancy.
However, antiretroviral
therapy is considered safe
during pregnancy.
Women who are treated
with antiretroviral therapy
are at very low risk of
passing HIV to their baby
during pregnancy and
delivery.
Breastfeeding is also
affected in women with
HIV. The virus can be
passed to a baby through
breast milk. In the United
States and other settings
where formula is
accessible and safe, it’s
recommended that
women with
HIV not breastfeed their
babies. For these women,
use of formula is
encouraged. Options
besides formula include
pasteurized banked
human milk
(https://www.hmbana.org)
.
For women who may
have been exposed to
HIV, it’s important to know
what symptoms to look
for. Learn more about HIV
symptoms in women.
What are the symptoms
of AIDS?
AIDS refers to acquired
immunodeficiency
syndrome. With this
condition, the immune
system is weakened due
to HIV that’s typically
gone untreated for many
years. If HIV is found and
treated early with
antiretroviral therapy, a
person will usually not
develop AIDS.
People with HIV may
develop AIDS if their HIV
is not diagnosed until late,
or if they know they have
HIV but don’t consistently
take their antiretroviral
therapy. They may also
develop AIDS if they have
a type of HIV that’s
resistant to (doesn’t
respond to) the
antiretroviral treatment.
Without proper and
consistent treatment,
people living with HIV can
develop AIDS sooner. By
that time, the immune
system is quite damaged
and has a harder time
fighting off infection and
disease. With the use of
antiretroviral therapy, a
person can maintain
chronic HIV infection
without developing AIDS
for decades.
Symptoms of AIDS can
include:
 recurrent fever
 chronic swollen lymph
glands, especially of the
armpits, neck, and groin
 chronic fatigue
 night sweats
 dark splotches under
the skin or inside the
mouth, nose, or eyelids
 sores, spots, or lesions
of the mouth and
tongue, genitals, or
anus
 bumps, lesions, or
rashes of the skin
 recurrent or chronic
diarrhea
 rapid weight loss
 neurologic problems
such as trouble
concentrating, memory
loss, and confusion
 anxiety and depression
controls the virus and
usually prevents
progression to AIDS.
Other infections and
complications of AIDS can
also be treated. That
treatment must be tailored
to the individual needs of
the person.
Treatment options for
HIV
Treatment should begin
as soon as possible after
a diagnosis of HIV,
regardless of viral load.
The main treatment for
HIV is antiretroviral
therapy, a combination of
daily medications that
stop the virus from
reproducing. This helps
protect CD4 cells, keeping
the immune system
strong enough to fight off
disease.
helps keep HIV from
progressing to AIDS. It
also helps reduce the risk
of transmitting HIV to
others.
When treatment is
effective, the viral load will
be “undetectable.” The
person still has HIV, but
the virus is not visible in
test results. However, the
virus is still in the body.
And if that person stops
taking antiretroviral
therapy, the viral load will
increase again and the
HIV can again start
attacking CD4 cells.
Treatment regimens
The U.S. Department of
Health and Human
Services (HHS) generally
recommends a starting
regimen of three HIV
medications from at least
two of these drug classes.
This combination helps
prevent HIV from forming
resistance to medications.
(Resistance means the
drug no longer works to
treat the virus.)
Many of the antiretroviral
medications are combined
with others so that a
person with HIV typically
takes only one or two pills
a day.
A healthcare provider will
help a person with HIV
choose a regimen based
on their overall health and
personal circumstances.
These medications must
be taken every day,
exactly as prescribed. If
they’re not taken
appropriately, viral
resistance can develop,
and a new regimen may
be needed.
Blood testing will help
determine if the regimen
is working to keep the
viral load down and the
CD4 count up. If an
regimen isn’t working, the
person’s healthcare
provider will switch them
to a different regimen
that’s more effective.
Side effects and costs
Side effects of
antiretroviral therapy vary
and may include nausea,
headache, and dizziness.
These symptoms are
often temporary and
disappear with time.
Serious side effects can
include swelling of the
mouth and tongue and
liver or kidney damage. If
side effects are severe,
the medications can be
adjusted.
Costs for antiretroviral
therapy vary according to
geographic location and
type of insurance
coverage. Some
pharmaceutical
companies have
assistance programs to
help lower the cost. Learn
more about the drugs
used to treat HIV.
HIV prevention
Although many
researchers are working
to develop one, there’s
currently no vaccine
available to prevent the
transmission of HIV.
However, taking certain
steps can help prevent
the spread of HIV.
Safer sex
The most common way
for HIV to spread is
through anal or vaginal
sex without a condom.
This risk can’t be
completely eliminated
unless sex is avoided
entirely, but the risk can
be lowered considerably
by taking a few
precautions. A person
concerned about their risk
of HIV should:
 Get tested for HIV. It’s
important they learn
their status and that of
their partner.
 Get tested for other
sexually transmitted
infections (STIs). If
they test positive for
one, they should get it
treated, because having
an STI increases the
risk of contracting HIV.
 Use condoms. They
should learn the correct
way to use condoms
and use them every
time they have sex,
whether it’s through
vaginal or anal
intercourse. It’s
important to keep in
mind that pre-seminal
fluids (which come out
before male ejaculation)
can contain HIV.
 Limit their sexual
partners. They should
have one sexual partner
with whom they have an
exclusive sexual
relationship.
 Take their
medications as
directed if they have
HIV. This lowers the risk
of transmitting the virus
to their sexual partner.
Other prevention
methods
Other steps to help
prevent the spread of HIV
include:
 Avoid sharing needles
or other drug
paraphernalia. HIV is
transmitted through
blood and can be
contracted by using
contaminated materials.
 Consider PEP. A
person who has been
exposed to HIV should
contact their healthcare
provider about obtaining
post-exposure
prophylaxis (PEP). PEP
can reduce the risk of
contracting HIV. It
consists of three
antiretroviral
medications given for
28 days. PEP should be
started as soon as
possible after exposure,
but before 36 to 72
hours have passed.
 Consider PrEP. A
person at a high risk of
HIV should talk to their
healthcare provider
about pre-exposure
prophylaxis (PrEP). If
taken consistently, it
can lower the risk of
contracting HIV. PrEP is
a combination of two
drugs available in pill
form.
Healthcare providers can
offer more information on
these and other ways to
prevent the spread of
HIV. Check here for more
information on STI
prevention.
Living with HIV: What to
expect and tips for
coping
More than 1 million
people in the United
States are living with HIV.
It’s different for
everybody, but with
treatment, many can
expect to live a long,
productive life.
The most important thing
is to start antiretroviral
treatment as soon as
possible. By taking
medications exactly as
prescribed, people living
with HIV can keep their
viral load low and their
immune system strong.
It’s also important to
follow up with a
healthcare provider
regularly.
Other ways people living
with HIV can improve their
health include:
 Make their health their
top priority. Steps to
help people living with
HIV feel their best
include:
o fueling their body with
a well-balanced diet
o exercising regularly
o getting plenty of rest
o avoiding tobacco and
other drugs
o reporting any new
symptoms to their
healthcare provider
right away
 Focus on their
emotional health. They
could consider seeing a
licensed therapist who
is experienced in
treating people with
HIV.
 Use safer sex
practices. Talk to their
sexual partner(s). Get
tested for other sexually
(STIs). And use
condoms every time
they have vaginal or
anal sex.
 Talk to their
healthcare provider
about PrEP and
PEP. When used
consistently by a person
without HIV,pre-
(PrEP) and post-
(PEP) can lower the
chances of
transmission. PrEP is
most often
recommended for
people without HIV in
relationships with
people with HIV, but it
can be used in other
situations as well.
Online sources for
finding a PrEP provider
include PrEP
Locator and PleasePrE
PMe.
 Surround themselves
with loved ones. When
first telling people about
their diagnosis, they can
start slow by telling
someone who can
maintain their
confidence. They may
want to choose
someone who won’t
judge them, and who
will support them in
caring for their health.
 Get support. They can
join an HIV support
group, either in person
or online, so they can
meet with others who
face the same concerns
they have. And their
healthcare provider can
steer them toward a
variety of resources in
their area.
There are many ways to
get the most out of life
when living with HIV. Hear
some real stories of
people living with HIV.
HIV life expectancy:
Know the facts
In the 1990s, a 20-year-
old person with HIV had
a 19-year life expectancy.
By 2011, a 20-year-old
person with HIV could
expect to live another 53
years.
It’s a dramatic
improvement, due in large
part to antiretroviral
therapy. With proper
treatment, many people
with HIV can expect a
normal or near normal
lifespan.
Of course, many things
affect life expectancy for a
person with HIV. Among
them are:
 CD4 cell count
 viral load
 serious HIV-related
illnesses, including
hepatitis infection
 drug use
 smoking
 access, adherence, and
response to treatment
 other health conditions
 age
Where a person lives also
matters. People in the
United States and other
developed countries may
be more likely to have
access to antiretroviral
therapy. Consistent use of
these drugs helps prevent
HIV from progressing to
AIDS. When HIV
advances to AIDS, life
expectancy without
treatment is about three
yearsTrusted Source. In
2017, about 20.9 million
people living with HIV
were using antiretroviral
therapy.
Life expectancy statistics
are just general
guidelines. People living
with HIV should talk to
their healthcare provider
to learn more about what
they can expect. Learn
more about life
expectancy and long-term
outlook with HIV.
Is there a vaccine for
HIV?
Currently, there are no
vaccines to prevent or
treat HIV. Research and
testing on experimental
vaccines are ongoing, but
none are close to being
approved for general use.
HIV is a complicated
virus. It mutates
(changes) rapidly and is
often able to fend off
immune system
responses. Only a small
number of people who
have HIV develop broadly
neutralizing antibodies,
the kind of antibodies that
can fight a range of HIV
strains.
The first HIV vaccine
efficacy study in seven
years is currently
underway in South Africa.
The experimental vaccine
is an updated version of
one used in a 2009 trial
that took place in
Thailand. A 3.5-year
follow-up after vaccination
showed the vaccine was
31.2 percent effective in
preventing HIV infection.
It’s the most successful
HIV vaccine trial to date.
The study involves 5,400
men and women from
South Africa. In 2016 in
South Africa,
about 270,000
people contracted HIV.
The results of the study
are expected in 2021.
While there’s still no
vaccine to prevent HIV,
people with HIV can
benefit from other
vaccines to prevent HIV-
related illnesses, such as:
 pneumonia
 influenza
 hepatitis A and B
 meningitis
 shingles
Other research into an
HIV vaccine is also
ongoing. Learn why an
HIV vaccine is so difficult
to develop.
As access to antiretroviral
therapy continues to
improve around the world,
these statistics will
hopefully keep changing
Although there is no cure for
HIV, with the right treatment
and support, people living
with HIV can enjoy long and
healthy lives. To do this, it’s
especially important to
commit to taking treatment
correctly.
IS THERE A CURE FOR

HIV AND AIDS?
FAST FACTS
 There is no cure for HIV,
although antiretroviral
treatment can control the
virus, meaning that people
with HIV can live long
and healthy lives.
 Most research is looking
for a functional
cure where HIV is
reduced to undetectable
and harmless levels in the
body permanently, but
some residual virus may
remain.
 Other research is looking
for a sterilising
cure where HIV is
eradicated from the body
completely, but this is
more complex and risky.
 Trials of HIV vaccines are
encouraging, but so far
offer partial protection
only.
There is no cure for HIV yet.
However, treatment can
control HIV and enable
people to live a long and
healthy life. This may
include attaining
an undetectable viral load. If
you think you’ve been at risk
of HIV, it's important to get
tested. Testing is the only
way to know for sure if you
have the virus.
If you’ve already tested and
your result is positive, you’ll
be advised to start
antiretroviral treatment as
soon as possible. Treatment
is the only way to manage
HIV and prevent it from
damaging your immune
system. It also reduces the
risk of passing HIV on to
your sexual partners.
Will there ever be a cure
for HIV?
Researchers and scientists
believe that we can find a
cure for HIV. We know a lot
about HIV, as much as
certain cancers. Scientists
are researching two types of
cure: a functional cure and a
sterilising cure (there is no
'natural cure' or 'herbal cure')
for HIV. (There will never
be an AIDS cure because
AIDS is a defining set of
symptoms rather than a
virus, like HIV.)
A functional cure
A functional cure would
suppress the amount of HIV
virus in the body to such low
levels that it can’t be
detected or make you ill –
but it would still be present.
Some people think that
antiretroviral treatment is
effectively a functional cure,
but most define a functional
cure as something that
suppresses the
virus without the need for
ongoing antiretroviral
treatment.
There are a few examples of
people considered to have
been functionally cured,
such as the Mississipi Baby,
but in all these cases the
virus has re-emerged. Most
of these people received
antiretroviral treatment very
quickly after infection or
birth.
A sterilising cure
A sterilising cure is one
where the HIV virus is
eradicated from the body
completely, including from
hidden reservoirs. There is
only one known person
who’s been cured in this
way: Timothy Brown, also
known as the 'Berlin Patient'.
In 2007-08, Brown had
chemotherapy and a bone
marrow transplant to treat
leukaemia. His transplant
came from someone with a
natural genetic resistance to
HIV. He was cured of HIV
but scientists don’t fully
understand why. Also,
because bone marrow
transplants can be
dangerous, they’re not
practical as a wider HIV
cure. However, this process
has given researchers
important information that
they’re using to work
towards a cure.
Researching an HIV cure:
the main approaches
1. 'Activate and eradicate'
(sometimes known as
‘Shock and kill’) which
aims to flush the virus out
of its reservoirs and then
kill the infected cells.
2. Gene editing which
aims to change immune
cells so they can’t be
infected by HIV.
3. ‘Immune modulation’
which is looking for ways
to permanently change
the immune system to
better fight HIV.
4. Stem cell transplants
which aim to completely
eliminate a person’s
infected immune system
and replace it with a
donor immune system.
This is the most complex
and risky approach.
While there is promising
research being carried out in
these areas, there is no cure
on the horizon.
An HIV vaccine
A number of HIV vaccine
trials show encouraging
results. However, so far, a
vaccine would only offer
partial protection and would
need to be used in
combination with other
prevention and treatment
options.
What should I do until
there’s a cure for HIV?
For now, the best thing to do
for your health is to test
regularly for HIV. If you
have the virus, start
antiretroviral treatment as
soon as possible and keep
taking it regularly as
prescribed.
Philippine AIDS
Prevention and Control
Act of 1998
Manila: Philippine
National AIDS Council,
1998. 84 p.
Organizations:
Philippine National AIDS
Council, PNAC
Description:
With the passage of
Republic Act 8504
otherwise known as the
Philippine AIDS
Act of 1998, the
country's response to
HIV/AIDS is now
strengthened and
concretized via the
wide spectrum of
provisions
comprehensively
contained in this law.
This law also attempts
to address major
concerns involving
various issues on
human rights vis-a-vis
public health and
safety.RA 8504 gains
popular recognition as
an international ""best
practice"" in the field of
HIV/AIDS. But the real
test certainly lies on
how the law will be
effectively implemented
that will spur the best
response to the
epidemic. Given this
challenge, the
Philippine National AIDS
Council has
promulgated the
Implementing Rules
and Regulations (IRR)
that serves as the legal
framework for the
operationalization of
RA 8504 and as guide
to instituting
appropriate actions
against HIV/AIDS. With
the IRR now in place, a
bigger challenge awaits
everyone in
transforming the
various provisions
stated in the law into
concrete positive
actions.
Republic Act 8504
Philippine AIDS
Act of 1998
AN ACT
PROMULGATING
POLICIES AND
PRESCRIBING
MEASURES FOR THE
PREVENTION AND
CONTROL OF
HIV/AIDS IN THE
PHILIPPINES,
INSTITUTING A
NATIONWIDE
HIV/AIDS
PROGRAM,
ESTABLISHING A
COMPREHENSIVE
HIV/AIDS
MONITORING
SYSTEM,
STRENGTHENING
THE PHILIPPINE
NATIONAL AIDS
COUNCIL, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
Section 1. Title. —
This Act shall be
known as the
"Philippine AIDS
Prevention and
Control Act of
1998."
Sec. 2. Declaration
of policies. —
Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome
(AIDS) is a disease
that recognizes no
territorial, social,
political and economic
boundaries for which
there is no known
cure. The gravity of
the AIDS threat
demands strong State
action today, thus:
(a) The State shall
promote public
awareness about the
causes, modes of
transmission,
consequences, means
of prevention and
control of HIV/AIDS
through a
comprehensive
nationwide educational
and information
campaign organized
and conducted by the
State. Such campaigns
shall promote value
formation and employ
scientifically proven
approaches, focus on
the family as a basic
social unit, and be
carried out in all
schools and training
centers, workplaces,
and communities. This
program shall involve
affected individuals
and groups, including
people living with
HIV/AIDS.
(b) The State shall
extend to every person
suspected or known to
be infected with
HIV/AIDS full
protection of his/her
human rights and civil
liberties. Towards this
end:
(1)
compulsory HIV
testing shall be
considered unlawful
unless otherwise
provided in this Act;
(2) the right
to privacy of
individuals with HIV
shall be guaranteed;
(3)
discrimination, in all its
forms and subtleties,
against individuals
with HIV or persons
perceived or suspected
of having HIV shall be
considered inimical to
individual and national
interest; and
(4) provision
of basic health and
social services for
individuals with HIV
shall be assured.
(c) The State shall
promote utmost safety
and universal
precautions in
practices and
procedures that carry
the risk of HIV
transmission.
(d) The State shall
positively address and
seek to eradicate
conditions that
aggravate the spread
of HIV infection,
including but not
limited to, poverty,
gender inequality,
prostitution,
marginalization, drug
abuse and ignorance.
(e) The State shall
recognize the potential
role of affected
individuals in
propagating vital
information and
educational messages
about HIV/AIDS and
shall utilize their
experience to warn the
public about the
disease.
Sec. 3. Definition of
terms. — As used in
this Act, the following
terms are defined as
follows:
(a) "Acquired
Immune Deficiency
Syndrome (AIDS)"
— a condition
characterized by a
combination of signs
and symptoms, caused
by HIV contracted
from another person
and which attacks and
weakens the body's
immune system,
making the afflicted
individual susceptible
to other life-
threatening infections.
(b) "Anonymous
Testing" — refers to
an HIV testing
procedure whereby the
individual being tested
does not reveal his/her
true identity. An
identifying number or
symbol is used to
substitute for the
name and allows the
laboratory conducting
the test and the
person on whom the
test is conducted to
match the test results
with the identifying
number or symbol.
(c) "Compulsory
HIV Testing" —
refers to HIV testing
imposed upon a
person attended or
characterized by the
lack of or vitiated
consent, use of
physical force,
intimidation or any
form of compulsion.
(d) "Contact
tracing" — refers to
the method of finding
and counselling the
sexual partner(s) of a
person who has been
diagnosed as having
disease.
(e) "Human
Immunodeficiency
Virus (HIV)" — refers
to the virus which
causes AIDS.
(f) "HIV/AIDS
Monitoring" — refers
to the documentation
and analysis of the
number of HIV/AIDS
infections and the
pattern of its spread.
(g) "HIV/AIDS
Prevention and
Control" — refers to
measures aimed at
protecting non-
infected from
contracting HIV and
minimizing the impact
of the condition of
persons living with
HIV.
(h) "HIV-
positive" — refers to
the presence of HIV
infection as
documented by the
presence of HIV or HIV
antibodies in the
sample being tested.
(i) "HIV-
negative" — denotes
the absence of HIV or
HIV antibodies upon
HIV testing.
(j) "HIV
Testing" — refers to
any laboratory
procedure done on an
individual to determine
the presence or
absence of HIV
infection.
(k) "HIV
Transmission" —
refers to the transfer
of HIV from one
infected person to an
uninfected individual,
most commonly
through sexual
intercourse, blood
transfusion, sharing of
intravenous needles
and during pregnancy.
(l) "High-Risk
Behavior" — refers to
a person's frequent
involvement in certain
activities which
increase the risk of
transmitting or
acquiring HIV.
(m) "Informed
Consent" — refers to
the voluntary
agreement of a person
to undergo or be
subjected to a
procedure based on
full information,
whether such
permission is written,
conveyed verbally, or
expressed indirectly.
(n) "Medical
Confidentiality" —
refers to the
relationship of trust
and confidence created
or existing between a
patient or a person
with HIV and his
attending physician,
consulting medical
specialist, nurse,
medical technologist
and all other health
workers or personnel
involved in any
counselling, testing or
professional care of
the former; it also
applies to any person
who, in any official
capacity, has acquired
or may have acquired
such confidential
information.
(o) "Person with
HIV" — refers to an
individual whose HIV
test indicates, directly
or indirectly, that
he/she is infected with
HIV.
(p) "Pre-Test
Counselling" —
refers to the process
of providing an
individual information
on the biomedical
aspects of HIV/AIDS
and emotional support
to any psychological
implications of
undergoing HIV testing
and the test result
itself before he/she is
subjected to the test.
(q) "Post-Test
Counselling" — refers
to the process of
providing risk-
reduction information
and emotional support
to a person who
submitted to HIV
testing at the time
that the test result is
released.
(r)
"Prophylactic" —
refers to any agent or
device used to prevent
the transmission of a
disease.
(s) "Sexually
Transmitted
Diseases" — refers to
any disease that may
be acquired or passed
on through sexual
contact.
(t) "Voluntary
HIV Testing" —
refers to HIV testing
done on an individual
who, after having
undergone pre-test
counselling, willingly
submits
himself/herself to such
test.
(u) "Window
Period" — refers to
the period of time,
usually lasting from
two weeks to six (6)
months during which
an infected individual
will test "negative"
upon HIV testing but
can actually transmit
the infection.
ARTICLE I
EDUCATION AND
INFORMATION
Sec. 4. HIV/AIDS
education in
schools. — The
Department of
Education, Culture and
Sports (DECS), the
Commission on Higher
Education (CHED), and
the Technical
Education and skills
Development Authority
(TESDA), utilizing
official information
provided by the
Department of Health,
shall integrate
instruction on the
causes, modes of
transmission and ways
of preventing
HIV/AIDS and other
diseases in subjects
taught in public and
private schools at
intermediate grades,
secondary and tertiary
levels, including non-
formal and indigenous
learning systems:
Provided, That if the
integration of
HIV/AIDS education is
not appropriate or
feasible, the DECS and
TESDA shall design
special modules on
HIV/AIDS prevention
and control: Provided,
further, That it shall
not be used as an
excuse to propagate
birth control or the
sale or distribution of
birth control devices:
Provided, finally, That
it does not utilize
sexually explicit
materials.
Flexibility in the
formulation and
adoption of
appropriate course
content, scope, and
methodology in each
educational level or
group shall be allowed
after consultations
with Parent-Teachers-
Community
Associations, Private
School Associations,
school officials, and
other interest groups.
As such, no instruction
shall be offered to
minors without
adequate prior
consultation with
parents who must
agree to the thrust
and content of the
instruction materials.
All teachers and
instructors of said
HIV/AIDS courses
shall be required to
undergo a seminar or
training on HIV/AIDS
prevention and control
to be supervised by
DECS, CHED and
TESDA, in coordination
with the Department
of Health (DOH),
before they are
allowed to teach on
the subject.
Sec. 5. HIV/AIDS
information as a
health service. —
HIV/AIDS education
and information
dissemination shall
form part of the
delivery of health
services by health
practitioners, workers
and personnel. The
knowledge and
capabilities of all public
health workers shall be
enhanced to include
skills for proper
information
dissemination and
education on
HIV/AIDS. It shall
likewise be considered
a civic duty of health
providers in the
private sector to make
available to the public
such information
necessary to control
the spread of
HIV/AIDS and to
correct common
misconceptions about
this disease. The
training or health
workers shall include
discussions on HIV-
related ethical issues
such as confidentiality,
informed consent and
the duty to provide
treatment.
Sec. 6. HIV/AIDS
education in the
workplace. — All
government and
private employees,
workers, managers,
and supervisors,
including members of
the Armed Forces of
the Philippines (AFP)
and the Philippine
National Police (PNP),
shall be provided with
the standardized basic
information and
instruction on
HIV/AIDS which shall
include topics on
confidentiality in the
workplace and attitude
towards infected
employees and
workers. In
collaboration with the
Department of Health
(DOH), the Secretary
of the Department of
Labor and Employment
(DOLE) shall oversee
the anti-HIV/AIDS
campaign in all private
companies while the
Armed Forces Chief of
Staff and the Director
General of the PNP
shall oversee the
implementation of this
Sec..
Sec. 7. HIV/AIDS
education for
Filipinos going
abroad. — The State
shall ensure that all
overseas Filipino
workers and
diplomatic, military,
trade, and labor
officials and personnel
to be assigned
overseas shall undergo
or attend a seminar on
the cause, prevention
and consequences of
HIV/AIDS before
certification for
overseas assignment.
The Department of
or the Department of
Foreign Affairs, the
Department of
Tourism and the
Department of Justice
through the Bureau of
Immigration, as the
case may be, in
(DOH), shall oversee
the implementation of
this Sec..
Sec. 8. Information
campaign for
tourists and
transients. —
Informational aids or
materials on the
cause, modes of
transmission,
prevention, and
consequences of HIV
infection shall be
adequately provided at
all international ports
of entry and exit. The
Department of
Tourism, the
Department of Foreign
Affairs, the
Department of Justice
through the Bureau of
Immigration, in
(DOH), shall oversee
the implementation of
this Act.
Sec. 9. HIV/AIDS
education in
communities. —
Local government
units, in collaboration
with the Department
of Health (DOH), shall
conduct an educational
and information
campaign on
HIV/AIDS. The
provincial governor,
city or municipal
mayor and the
barangay captain shall
coordinate such
campaign among
concerned government
agencies, non-
government
organizations and
church-based groups.
Sec. 10. Information
on prophylactics. —
Appropriate
information shall be
attached to or
provided with every
prophylactic offered
for sale or given as a
donation. Such
information shall be
legibly printed in
English and Filipino,
and contain literature
on the proper use of
the prophylactic device
or agent, its efficacy
against HIV and STD
infection, as well as
the importance of
sexual abstinence and
mutual fidelity.
Sec. 11. Penalties
for misleading
information. —
Misinformation on
HIV/AIDS prevention
and control through
false and misleading
advertising and claims
in any of the tri-media
or the promotional
marketing of drugs,
devices, agents or
procedures without
prior approval from
the Department of
Health and the Bureau
of Food and Drugs and
the requisite medical
and scientific basis,
including markings and
indications in drugs
and devises or agents,
purporting to be a cure
or a fail-safe
prophylactic for HIV
infection is punishable
with a penalty of
imprisonment for two
(2) months to two (2)
years, without
prejudice to the
imposition of
administrative
sanctions such as fines
and suspension or
revocation of
professional or
business license.
ARTICLE II
SAFE PRACTICES
AND PROCEDURES
Sec. 12.
Requirement on the
donation of blood,
tissue, or organ. —
No laboratory or
institution shall accept
a donation of tissue or
organ, whether such
donation is gratuitous
or onerous, unless a
sample from the donor
has been tested
negative for HIV. All
donated blood shall
also be subjected to
HIV testing and
HIV(+) blood shall be
disposed of properly
and immediately. A
second testing may be
demanded as a matter
of right by the blood,
tissue, or organ
recipient or his
immediate relatives
before transfusion or
transplant, except
during emergency
cases: Provided, That
donations of blood,
tissue, or organ
testing positive for HIV
may be accepted for
research purposes
only, and subject to
strict sanitary disposal
requirements.
Sec. 13. Guidelines
on surgical and
similar
procedures. — The
(DOH), in consultation
and in coordination
with concerned
professional
organizations and
hospital associations,
shall issue guidelines
on precautions against
HIV transmission
during surgical, dental,
embalming, tattooing
or similar procedures.
The DOH shall likewise
issue guidelines on the
handling and
disposition of
cadavers, body fluids
or wastes of persons
known or believed to
be HIV-positive.
The necessary
protective equipment
such as gloves,
goggles and gowns,
shall be made
available to all
physicians and health
care providers and
similarly exposed
personnel at all times.
Sec. 14. Penalties
for unsafe practices
and procedures. —
Any person who
knowingly or
negligently causes
another to get infected
with HIV in the course
of the practice of
his/her profession
through unsafe and
unsanitary practice or
procedure is liable to
suffer a penalty of
imprisonment for six
(6) years to twelve
(12) years, without
prejudice to the
imposition of
administrative
sanctions such as, but
not limited to, fines
and suspension or
revocation of the
license to practice
his/her profession. The
permit or license of
any business entity
and the accreditation
of hospitals,
laboratory, or clinics
may be cancelled or
withdrawn if said
establishments fail to
maintain such safe
practices and
procedures as may be
required by the
guidelines to be
formulated in
compliance with Sec.
13 of this Act.
ARTICLE III
TESTING,
SCREENING AND
COUNSELLING
Sec. 15. Consent as
a requisite for HIV
testing. — No
compulsory HIV
testing shall be
allowed. However, the
State shall encourage
voluntary testing for
individuals with a high
risk for contracting
HIV: Provided, That
written informed
consent must first be
obtained. Such
consent shall be
obtained from the
person concerned if
he/she is of legal age
or from the parents or
legal guardian in the
case of a minor or a
mentally incapacitated
individual. Lawful
consent to HIV testing
of a donated human
body, organ, tissue, or
blood shall be
considered as having
been given when:
(a) a person
volunteers or freely
agrees to donate
his/her blood, organ,
or tissue for
transfusion,
transplantation, or
research;
(b) a person has
executed a legacy in
accordance with Sec. 3
of Republic Act No.
7170, also known as
the "Organ Donation
Act of 1991";
(c) a donation is
executed in
accordance with Sec. 4
of Republic Act No.
7170.
Sec. 16. Prohibitions
on compulsory HIV
testing. —
Compulsory HIV
testing as a
precondition to
employment,
admission to
educational
institutions, the
exercise of freedom of
abode, entry or
continued stay in the
country, or the right to
travel, the provision of
medical service or any
other kind of service,
or the continued
enjoyment of said
undertakings shall be
deemed unlawful.
Sec. 17. Exception
to the prohibition on
compulsory
testing. —
Compulsory HIV
testing may be allowed
only in the following
instances:
a) When a person
is charged with any of
the crimes punishable
under Articles 264 and
266 as amended by
Republic Act No. 8353,
335 and 338 of
Republic Act No. 3815,
otherwise known as
the "Revised Penal
Code" or under
Republic Act No. 7659;
b) When the
determination of the
HIV status is
necessary to resolve
the relevant issues
under Executive Order
No. 309, otherwise
known as the "Family
Code of the
Philippines"; and
c) When
complying with the
provisions of Republic
Act No. 7170,
otherwise known as
the "Organ Donation
Act" and Republic Act
No. 7719, otherwise
known as the "National
Blood Services Act".
Sec. 18. Anonymous
HIV testing. — The
State shall provide a
mechanism for
anonymous HIV
testing and shall
guarantee anonymity
and medical
conduct of such tests.
Sec. 19.
Accreditation of HIV
Testing Centers. —
All testing centers,
hospitals, clinics, and
laboratories offering
HIV testing services
are mandated to seek
accreditation from the
which shall set and
maintain reasonable
accreditation
standards.
Sec. 20. Pre-test
and post-test
counselling. — All
testing centers, clinics,
or laboratories which
perform any HIV test
shall be required to
provide and conduct
free pre-test
counselling and post-
test counselling for
persons who avail of
their HIV/AIDS testing
services. However,
such counselling
services must be
provided only by
persons who meet the
standards set by the
DOH.
Sec. 21. Support for
HIV Testing Centers.
— The Department of
Health shall
strategically build and
enhance the
capabilities for HIV
testing of hospitals,
clinics, laboratories,
and other testing
centers primarily, by
ensuring the training
of competent
personnel who will
provide such services
in said testing sites.
ARTICLE IV
HEALTH AND
SUPPORT SERVICES
Sec. 22. Hospital-
based services. —
Persons with HIV/AIDS
shall be afforded basic
health services in all
government hospitals,
without prejudice to
optimum medical care
which may be provided
by special AIDS wards
and hospitals.
Sec. 23. Community-
based services. —
Local government
units, in coordination
and in cooperation
with concerned
government agencies,
non-government
organizations, persons
with HIV/AIDS and
groups most at risk of
HIV infection shall
provide community-
based HIV/AIDS
prevention and care
services.
Sec. 24. Livelihood
programs and
trainings. — Trainings
for livelihood, self-help
cooperative programs
shall be made
accessible and
available to all persons
with HIV/AIDS.
Persons infected with
HIV/AIDS shall not be
deprived of full
participation in any
livelihood, self-help
and cooperative
programs for reason of
their health conditions.
Sec. 25. Control of
diseases. — The
Department of Health,
in coordination and in
cooperation with
concerned government
agencies and non-
government
organizations shall
pursue the prevention
and control of sexually
transmitted diseases
to help contain the
spread of HIV
infection.
Sec. 26. Insurance
for persons with
HIV. — The Secretary
of Health, in
cooperation with the
Commissioner of the
Insurance Commission
and other public and
private insurance
agencies, shall conduct
a study on the
feasibility and viability
of setting up a
package of insurance
benefits and, should
such study warrant it,
implement an
insurance coverage
program for persons
with HIV. The study
shall be guided by the
principle that access to
health insurance is
part of an individual's
right to health and is
the responsibility of
the State and of
society as a whole.
ARTICLE V
MONITORING
Sec. 27. Monitoring
program. — A
comprehensive
HIV/AIDS monitoring
program or
"AIDSWATCH" shall be
established under the
to determine and
monitor the magnitude
and progression of HIV
infection in the
Philippines, and for the
purpose of evaluating
the adequacy and
efficacy of the
countermeasures
being employed.
Sec. 28. Reporting
procedures. — All
hospitals, clinics,
laboratories, and
testing centers for
HIV/AIDS shall adopt
measures in assuring
the reporting and
confidentiality of any
medical record,
personal data, file,
including all data
which may be
accessed from various
data banks or
information systems.
The Department of
Health through its
AIDSWATCH
monitoring program
shall receive, collate
and evaluate all
HIV/AIDS related
medical reports. The
AIDSWATCH data base
shall utilize a coding
system that promotes
client anonymity.
Sec. 29. Contact
tracing. — HIV/AIDS
contact tracing and all
other related health
intelligence activities
may be pursued by the
Department of Health:
Provided, That these
do not run counter to
the general purpose of
this Act: Provided,
further, That any
information gathered
shall remain
confidential and
classified, and can only
be used for statistical
and monitoring
purposes and not as
basis or qualification
for any employment,
school attendance,
freedom of abode, or
travel.
ARTICLE VI
CONFIDENTIALITY
Sec. 30. Medical
confidentiality. — All
health professionals,
medical instructors,
workers, employers,
recruitment agencies,
insurance companies,
data encoders, and
other custodians of
any medical record,
file, data, or test
results are directed to
strictly observe
handling of all medical
information,
particularly the
identity and status of
persons with HIV.
Sec. 31. Exceptions
to the mandate of
confidentiality. —
Medical confidentiality
shall not be considered
breached in the
following cases:
(a) when
complying with
reportorial
requirements in
conjunction with the
AIDSWATCH programs
provided in Sec. 27 of
this Act;
(b) when
informing other health
workers directly
involved or about to
be involved in the
treatment or care of a
person with HIV/AIDS:
Provided, That such
treatment or care
carry the risk of HIV
transmission:
Provided, further, That
such workers shall be
obliged to maintain the
shared medical
confidentiality;
(c) when
responding to a
subpoena duces tecum
and subpoena ad
testificandum issued
by a Court with
jurisdiction over a
legal proceeding where
the main issue is the
HIV status of an
individual: Provided,
That the confidential
medical record shall be
properly sealed by its
lawful custodian after
being double-checked
for accuracy by the
head of the office or
department, hand
delivered, and
personally opened by
the judge: Provided,
further, That the
judicial proceedings be
held in executive
session.
Sec. 32. Release of
HIV/AIDS test
results. — All results
of HIV/AIDS testing
shall be confidential
and shall be released
only to the following
persons:
(a) the person
who submitted
himself/herself to such
test;
(b) either parent
of a minor child who
has been tested;
(c) a legal
guardian in the case of
insane persons or
orphans;
(d) a person
authorized to receive
such results in
conjunction with the
AIDSWATCH program
as provided in Sec. 27
of this Act;
(e) a justice of the
Court of Appeals or
the Supreme Court, as
provided under
subSec. (c) of this Act
and in accordance with
the provision of Sec.
16 hereof.
Sec. 33. Penalties
for violations of
confidentiality. —
Any violation of
medical confidentiality
as provided in Sec.s
30 and 32 of this Act
shall suffer the penalty
of imprisonment for
six (6) months to four
(4) years, without
prejudice to
administrative
sanctions such as fines
and suspension or
revocation of the
violator's license to
practice his/her
profession, as well as
the cancellation or
withdrawal of the
license to operate any
business entity and
the accreditation of
hospitals, laboratories
or clinics.
Sec. 34. Disclosure
to sexual
partners. — Any
person with HIV is
obliged to disclose
his/her HIV status and
health condition to
his/her spouse or
sexual partner at the
earliest opportune
time.
ARTICLE VII
DISCRIMINATORY
ACTS AND POLICIES
Sec. 35.
Discrimination in
the workplace. —
Discrimination in any
form from pre-
employment to post-
employment, including
hiring, promotion or
assignment, based on
the actual, perceived
or suspected HIV
status of an individual
is prohibited.
Termination from work
on the sole basis of
actual, perceived or
suspected HIV status
is deemed unlawful.
Sec. 36.
Discrimination in
schools. — No
educational institution
shall refuse admission
or expel, discipline,
segregate, deny
participation, benefits
or services to a
student or prospective
student on the basis of
his/her actual,
perceived or suspected
HIV status.
Sec. 37. Restrictions
on travel and
habitation. — The
freedom of abode,
lodging and travel of a
person with HIV shall
not be abridged. No
person shall be
quarantined, placed in
isolation, or refused
lawful entry into or
deported from
Philippine territory on
account of his/her
suspected HIV status.
Sec. 38. Inhibition
from public
service. — The right
to seek an elective or
appointive public office
shall not be denied to
a person with HIV.
Sec. 39. Exclusion
from credit and
insurance
services. — All credit
and loan services,
including health,
accident and life
insurance shall not be
denied to a person on
the basis of his/her
suspected HIV status:
Provided, That the
person with HIV has
not concealed or
misrepresented the
fact to the insurance
company upon
application. Extension
and continuation of
credit and loan shall
likewise not be denied
solely on the basis of
said health condition.
Sec. 40.
Discrimination in
hospitals and health
institutions. — No
person shall be denied
health care service or
be charged with a
higher fee on account
of actual, perceived or
suspected HIV status.
Sec. 41. Denial of
burial services. — A
deceased person who
had AIDS or who was
known, suspected or
perceived to be HIV-
positive shall not be
denied any kind of
decent burial services.
Sec. 42. Penalties
for discriminatory
acts and policies. —
All discriminatory acts
and policies referred to
in this Act shall be
punishable with a
penalty of
imprisonment for six
(6) months to four (4)
years and a fine not
exceeding Ten
thousand pesos
(P10,000.00). In
addition,
licenses/permits of
schools, hospitals and
other institutions
found guilty of
committing
discriminatory acts
and policies described
in this Act shall be
revoked.
ARTICLE VIII
THE PHILIPPINE
NATIONAL AIDS
COUNCIL
Sec. 43.
Establishment. —
The Philippine National
AIDS Council (PNAC)
created by virtue of
Executive Order No.
39 dated 3 December
1992 shall be
reconstituted and
strengthened to enable
the Council to oversee
an integrated and
comprehensive
approach to HIV/AIDS
in the Philippines. It
shall be attached to
the Department of
Health.
Sec. 44.
Functions. — The
Council shall be the
central advisory,
planning and policy-
making body for the
comprehensive and
integrated HIV/AIDS
program in the
Philippines. The
Council shall perform
the following
functions:
(a) Secure from
government agencies
concerned
recommendations on
how their respective
agencies could
operationalize specific
provisions of this Act.
The Council shall
integrate and
coordinate such
recommendations and
issue implementing
rules and regulations
of this Act. The Council
shall likewise ensure
that there is adequate
coverage of the
following:
(1) The
institution of a
nationwide HIV/AIDS
information and
education program;
(2) The
establishment of a
comprehensive
HIV/AIDS monitoring
system;
(3) The
issuance of guidelines
on medical and other
practices and
procedures that carry
the risk of HIV
transmission;
(4) The
provision of accessible
and affordable HIV
testing and counselling
services to those who
are in need of it;
(5) The
provision of acceptable
health and support
services for persons
with HIV/AIDS in
hospitals and in
communities;
(6) The
protection and
promotion of the rights
of individuals with
HIV; and
(7) The strict
observance of medical
confidentiality.
(b) Monitor the
implementation of the
rules and regulations
of this Act, issue or
cause the issuance of
orders or make
recommendations to
the implementing
agencies as the
Council considers
appropriate;
(c) Develop a
comprehensive long-
term national
HIV/AIDS prevention
and control program
and monitor its
implementation;
(d) Coordinate the
activities of and
strengthen working
relationships between
government and non-
government agencies
involved in the
campaign against
HIV/AIDS;
(e) Coordinate and
cooperate with foreign
and international
organizations
regarding data
collection, research
and treatment
modalities concerning
HIV/AIDS; and
(f) Evaluate the
adequacy of and make
recommendations
regarding the
utilization of national
resources for the
of HIV/AIDS in the
Philippines.
Sec. 45. Membership
and composition. —
(a) The Council shall
be composed of
twenty-six (26)
members as follows:
(1) The Secretary
Health;
(2) The Secretary
Education, Culture and
Sports or his
representative;
(3) The
Chairperson of the
Commission on Higher
Education or his
representative;
(4) The Director-
General of the
Technical Education
and Skills
or his representative;
(5) The Secretary
(6) The Secretary
Social Welfare and
Development or his
representative;
(7) The Secretary
the Interior and Local
Government or his
representative;
(8) The Secretary
Justice or his
representative;
(9) The Director-
General of the National
Economic and
(10) The Secretary
Tourism or his
representative;
(11) The Secretary
Budget and
Management or his
representative;
(12) The Secretary
Foreign Affairs or his
representative;
(13) The Head of
the Philippine
Information Agency or
his representative;
(14) The President
of the League of
Governors or his
representative;
(15) The President
of the League of City
Mayors or his
representative;
(16) The
Chairperson of the
Committee on Health
of the Senate of the
Philippines or his
representative;
(17) The
Chairperson of the
Committee on Health
of the House of
Representatives or his
representative;
(18) Two (2)
representatives from
organizations of
medical/health
professionals;
(19) Six (6)
representatives from
non-government
organizations involved
in HIV/AIDS
efforts or activities;
and
(20) A
representative of an
organization of
persons dealing with
HIV/AIDS.
(b) To the greatest
extent possible,
appointment to the
Council must ensure
sufficient and
discernible
representation from
the fields of medicine,
education, health care,
law, labor, ethics and
social services;
(c) All members of the
Council shall be
appointed by the
President of the
Republic of the
Philippines, except for
the representatives of
the Senate and the
House of
Representatives, who
shall be appointed by
the Senate President
and the House
Speaker, respectively;
(d) The members of
the Council shall be
appointed not later
than thirty (30) days
after the date of the
enactment of this Act;
(e) The Secretary of
Health shall be the
permanent chairperson
of the Council;
however, the vice-
chairperson shall be
elected by its
members from among
themselves, and shall
serve for a term of two
(2) years; and
(f) For members
representing
medical/health
professional groups
and the six (6) non-
government
organizations, they
shall serve for a term
of two (2) years,
renewable upon
recommendation of
the Council.
Sec. 46. Reports. —
The Council shall
submit to the
President and to both
Houses of Congress
comprehensive annual
reports on the
activities and
accomplishments of
the Council. Such
annual reports shall
contain assessments
and evaluation of
intervention programs,
plans and strategies
for the medium- and
long-term prevention
and control program
on HIV/AIDS in the
Philippines.
Sec. 47. Creation of
Special HIV/AIDS
Prevention and
Control Service. —
There shall be created
in the Department of
Health a Special
HIV/AIDS Prevention
and Control Service
staffed by qualified
medical specialists and
support staff with
permanent
appointment and
supported with an
adequate yearly
budget. It shall
implement programs
on HIV/AIDS
prevention and
control. In addition, it
shall also serve as the
secretariat of the
Council.
Sec. 48.
Appropriations. —
The amount of Twenty
million pesos
(P20,000,000.00) shall
be initially
appropriated out of the
funds of the National
Treasury. Subsequent
appropriations shall be
provided by Congress
in the annual budget
Health under the
General Appropriations
Act.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS
Sec. 49.
Implementing rules
and regulations. —
Within six (6) months
after it is fully
reconstituted, the
Council shall formulate
and issue the
appropriate rules and
regulations necessary
for the implementation
of this Act.
Sec. 50. Separability
clause. — If any
provision of this Act is
declared invalid, the
remainder of this Act
or any provision not
affected thereby shall
remain in force and
effect.
Sec. 51. Repealing
clause. — All laws,
presidential decrees,
executive orders and
their implementing
rules inconsistent with
the provisions of this
Act are hereby
repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.
Sec. 52.
Effectivity. — This
Act shall take effect
fifteen (15) days after
its publication in at
least two (2) national
newspapers of general
circulation.
Approved: February
13, 1998

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