HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, specifically CD4 (T) cells, which help the body fight infections and disease. Over time, if HIV is left untreated, it destroys these cells, weakening the immune system and making it more difficult for the body to defend itself against infections and certain cancers. Without treatment, HIV can progress to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), the most advanced stage of HIV infection. While some people experience flu-like symptoms within 2 to 4 weeks after infection, many people have no symptoms for years, making regular testing essential. With modern antiretroviral therapy (ART), people living with HIV can live long, healthy lives, achieve viral suppression, and prevent sexual transmission of the virus to others.

Georgia has 66,857+ people living with HIV, a diagnosis rate more than twice the national average. In 2024, 2,485 Georgians were newly diagnosed. Black or African American cisgender men with male-to-male sexual contact account for 40% of new diagnoses. Metro Atlanta districts, including Fulton, DeKalb, and Clayton counties, consistently have the highest diagnosis rates in the state.

HIV is transmitted through blood, breast milk, semen, vaginal fluids, and rectal fluids. It is not spread through casual contact, including hugging, shaking hands, sharing food or drinks, using the same toilet, or through saliva, sweat, or insect bites. Because HIV often causes few or no symptoms in its early stages, many people do not know they are living with the virus. Early testing, diagnosis, and treatment are critical to protecting individual health and reducing HIV transmission across Georgia.

HIV has a range of symptoms. Not everyone will have the same symptoms. It depends on the person and what stage of the disease they are in. HIV has three stages, each with different symptoms a person may have. Some people might have no symptoms at all.

Below are just some of the signs and symptoms someone might have during the early stage of HIV, also called acute infection. Many of the symptoms of HIV can also be caused by other illnesses. Don’t assume you have HIV just because of these symptoms. The only way to know for sure if you have HIV is to get tested. Within 2 to 4 weeks after HIV infection, about two-thirds of people will have flu-like symptoms. This is the body’s natural response to infection.

Flu-like symptoms can include the following:

• Fever
• Chills
• Rash
• Night sweats
• Muscle aches
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Mouth ulcers

HIV is preventable. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a once-daily medication that reduces the risk of HIV from sex by about 99% and from injection drug use by 74%. Despite its effectiveness, only 25.3% of Georgians who could benefit from PrEP currently receive it — a gap GAC is actively working to close through pharmacist-initiated PrEP legislation.

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is an emergency medication taken within 72 hours of a potential HIV exposure. It must be started quickly and continued for 28 days. PEP is available through emergency rooms, clinics, and pharmacists.

Additional prevention strategies include consistent condom use, regular testing, harm reduction programs such as syringe services, and treatment as prevention. People with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV to partners.

HIV is treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART), a combination of medications that suppress the virus to undetectable levels in the blood. ART does not cure HIV, but allows people to live healthy lives and prevents transmission to others. Most people with HIV take a single pill once daily.

Treatment works best when started early. An Emory University study found that Georgia’s investment in ART has returned $107.2 billion in economic value over 25 years — preventing 57,885 new infections and 36,921 deaths. Every dollar invested in treatment returned $3.40 to Georgia’s public sector.

Injectable ART, administered every two months, is now available as an alternative to daily pills, expanding options for people who face challenges with daily adherence.

Ongoing HIV care involves regular medical visits, viral load monitoring, and access to medications. 44% of Georgians living with HIV are age 50 or older — a growing population with complex, long-term care needs as HIV and aging interact.

Pregnant women with HIV require specialized care to prevent perinatal transmission. A 2023 Georgia law now requires HIV and syphilis testing at the first prenatal visit, at 28–32 weeks, and at delivery, a policy GAC championed to close gaps in prenatal screening.

Care for people living with HIV often extends beyond medical treatment to include housing support, mental health services, and social support. Georgia DPH and its network of community partners provide these services across the state.

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program is the largest federal program dedicated to HIV care for low-income Americans, providing medication, medical care, and support services for Georgians who cannot afford them. The program faces ongoing budget pressure and is a central focus of GAC’s advocacy work.

Fulton County’s HIV Elimination Program targets one of the highest-burden counties in the nation. Fulton and DeKalb counties were identified as federal Ending the HIV Epidemic target areas in 2019, making them eligible for additional resources and intensive intervention.

Georgia DPH maintains an HIV care and prevention network including testing sites, linkage-to-care programs, and surveillance. For testing locations, care programs, and hotline numbers, visit the GAC hotlines page or contact Georgia DPH directly.