HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS. HIV is spread through sex, breast milk, shared needles, or from a mother with HIV to her baby in the womb.

HIV symptoms can be dormant (non-active) for years, though many experience flu-like symptoms shortly after becoming infected. AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is caused by HIV and weakens the body’s ability to fight infections. Symptoms of HIV that has progressed to AIDS include persistent fever, rash, mouth sores, and fatigue.

HIV is a chronic disease. Though there is no cure for HIV, someone with this condition can live a long, healthy life if their HIV is managed properly.

There are also HIV prevention medications called HIV PrEP (HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis) which can help prevent someone from getting HIV. In addition, if you have HIV, medications can help you get to an undetectable viral load, which means you can't pass on the virus to others.

BMC's HIV Clinic is the medical home for adults living with HIV, providing medical care, case management, pharmacy support, and more.



 

 ## Departments and Programs Who Treat This Condition

  department###  [Infectious Diseases](/departments/infectious-diseases) 

 A department providing infectious disease care, including diagnosis and treatment for HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, endocarditis, tuberculosis, and other serious infect… 

 

 

  department###  [HIV Clinic](/departments/infectious-diseases/hiv-clinic) 

 A clinic within the Department of Infectious Diseases where HIV specialists provide comprehensive care for people living with HIV/AIDS, including testing, treatment, and ongoing m… 

 

 

  department###  [HIV-Endurance (HIVE) Clinic ](/departments/infectious-diseases/hiv-endurance-hive-clinic) 

 A clinic within the Department of Infectious Diseases supporting people aged 50 and older who are living with HIV, with evaluation, treatment, and coordinated care for aging-relat… 

 

 

  department###  [Boston STD Clinic](/departments/infectious-diseases/boston-std-clinic) 

 A clinic within the Department of Infectious Diseases providing clinic testing and care for sexually transmitted diseases, offering confidential screening, diagnosis, and treatmen… 

 

 

  department###  [Infectious Disease Consult Service](/departments/infectious-diseases/infectious-disease-consult-service) 

 A service within the Department of Infectious Diseases where an infectious disease doctor provides expert consultation for complex infections, supporting diagnosis, treatment plan… 

 

 

  department###  [Adult Primary Care](/departments/adult-primary-care) 

 A department providing primary care to people over 18 years old, including preventive services, routine exams, chronic disease management, treatment of minor illness, medication m… 

 

 

  department###  [Office Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT)](/departments/adult-primary-care/office-based-addiction-treatment-obat) 

 A program within Adult Primary Care that provides substance use disorder treatment while also addressing medical needs and providing ongoing support. 

 

 

  department###  [Adolescent Medicine](/departments/pediatric-primary-care/adolescent-medicine) 

 A pediatric primary care program specializing in pediatric and adolescent medicine, providing comprehensive, age-appropriate care for teens and young adults. 

 

 

  department###  [Addiction Treatment Programs](/departments/addiction-treatment-programs) 

 A department providing addiction treatment for patients of all backgrounds with substance use disorders, as well as specialized care for related medical conditions and specific ci… 

 

 

  department###  [Project TRUST](/departments/addiction-treatment-programs/project-trust) 

 A program within Addiction Treatment Programs providing a drop-in center with harm reduction, peer support, and care navigation for people who use drugs, including those not ready… 

 

 

  department###  [Infectious Diseases (Pediatrics)](/departments/pediatric-specialty-care/infectious-diseases-pediatrics) 

 A program within the Department of Pediatrics where specialists diagnose and treat chronic, recurrent, and unusual infections, including Lyme disease, HIV, pneumonia, hepatitis, c… 

 

 

  department###  [Pediatric AIDS Program](/departments/pediatric-specialty-care/pediatrics-infectious-diseases/pediatric-aids-program) 

 A program within Pediatric Infectious Diseases that provides evaluation, ongoing care, and prevention for children with HIV, as well as support for their families 

 

 

  department###  [Pathways to Adult Care Clinic](/departments/pediatric-specialty-care/pediatrics-infectious-diseases/pediatric-aids-program/pathways-adult-care-clinic) 

 A clinic in Pediatric Infectious Diseases that helps adolescents and young adults living with HIV prepare to move into adult care