What is HIV

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)  is a virus spread through certain body fluids that attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells, often called T cells. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and disease. These special cells help the immune system fight off infections. Untreated, HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells (T cells) in the body. This damage to the immune system makes it harder and harder for the body to fight off infections and some other diseases. Opportunistic infections or cancers take advantage of a very weak immune system and signal that the person has AIDS.

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National Antenatal Sentinel HIV Survey Key Findings, South Africa, 2019 (April 2021)
National Antenatal Sentinel HIV Survey Key Findings, South Africa, 2017 (2019)
National consolidated guidelines: prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) and management of HIV in children (2015)
National HIV counselling and testing policy guidelines (2015)
Guidelines for expanding combination prevention and treatment options for sex workers: oral PrEP and T&T (2016)
Southern African guidelines: Safe use of pre-exposure prophylaxis in men who have sex with men who are at risk for HIV infection (2012)