Whether you’re curious, cautious, or just staying informed — this guide helps you understand HIV, hepatitis, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in a simple, non-judgmental way. If you’re exploring chemsex or just living your life, knowing your status and how to stay protected is one of the most empowering things you can do.

❤️ HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

What Is HIV?

HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system. Without treatment, it can develop into AIDS. But the good news? With modern treatment, HIV is manageable, and people can live long, healthy lives.

How HIV Spreads:

  • Unprotected sex (vaginal or anal)
  • Sharing needles or syringes
  • From mother to baby during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding
  • Blood transfusions (rare today due to strict screening)

Signs & Symptoms:

Not everyone shows symptoms, especially early on. Some signs include:

HIV symptoms depend on the stage of infection:

  • Early Stage (2-6 weeks after exposure)
    • Flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, body aches, swollen glands)
    • Rash, night sweats
    • Some people feel fine and have no symptoms
  • Chronic Stage (can last years without treatment)
    • No symptoms, but the virus is still active and can cause damage over time
  • AIDS (when untreated HIV weakens the immune system severely, 10-15 years after exposure)
    • Rapid weight loss
    • Chronic diarrhea
    • Recurrent infections (like tuberculosis or pneumonia)
    • Opportunistic infections (like cerebral toxoplasmosis, pneumocystic jiveroci pneumonia, CMV retinitis, talaromycosis etc)

 

🧪 How Do You Get Tested for HIV?

Getting tested is quick, confidential, and one of the most empowering ways to care for your health and your community.

There are three types of HIV tests, and each has a different window period — this means how soon after exposure the test can detect HIV:

1️ Antibody Test

  • Detects your body’s response (antibodies) to HIV.
  • Common for rapid tests, oral swabs, and self-test kits.
  • Window period:Up to 3 months after exposure.

2️ Antigen/Antibody Test

  • Detects both HIV antibodiesand HIV antigens (parts of the virus itself).
  • Often used in clinics and hospitals.
  • More sensitive than antibody-only tests.
  • Window period:About 3 weeks.

3️ Nucleic Acid Test (NAT)

  • Looks directly for the virus in your blood.
  • Also known as a viral load test.
  • Window period:As early as 10–33 days after exposure.
  • Mostly used for monitoring treatment, not routine testing.

⏳ Why the Window Period Matters

Testing too early after exposure might give a false-negative result. If you’re not sure when the exposure happened, talk to a health provider — you may need to test again later.

💡 Pro Tip:

If you’re engaging in chemsex, have multiple partners, or are unsure about your recent risks, it’s a good idea to test more regularly — every 3–6 months.

🌈 Ready to Test?

✅ Want to book a free & anonymous test?
✅ Prefer to self-test at home?

Visit 👉 testnow.com.my or talk to us on how to get the service near you
We’re here to make testing easy, private, and stigma-free.

 

💊 Treatment & Living Well with HIV

A HIV diagnosis doesn’t mean life is over — treatment works, and with the right care, you can live a long, healthy, and fulfilling life. Thanks to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), HIV can be controlled effectively, allowing people to live just as long as anyone else.

What is ART?

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is a daily medication that keeps HIV under control.
Although it’s not a cure, it can:
✅ Lower the amount of HIV in your blood (viral load)
✅ Protect your immune system
✅ Prevent you from passing HIV to others (U=U)
✅ Help you live a full, healthy life

ℹ️ Two-monthly injectable ART is not yet available in Malaysia.

💡 How ART Works

ART stops HIV from multiplying, so your immune system stays strong.
The earlier you start, the better — but it’s never too late to begin.

⚠️ ART & Chemsex: Know the Risks

If you’re on ART and also using party substances, some drug interactions may be harmful. Here’s what to be mindful of:

Substance Interaction Risk with ART
Meth (Tina) May raise ART drug levels and increase toxicity — heart rate, paranoia, agitation
GHB (G) Risk of strong sedation, especially with ritonavir-based ART
MDMA (Ecstasy) Higher overdose risk due to amplified MDMA effects
Ketamine May cause prolonged sedation and kidney issues

💬 Not sure how your meds and party use might mix? Talk to us for safe, confidential advice. We’re here to help without judgment.

📉 U=U: Undetectable = Untransmittable

If you take ART consistently and reach an undetectable viral load, you can’t pass HIV to your sexual partners.

What does “undetectable” mean?

It means the level of HIV in your blood is so low, it can’t be detected by standard tests (usually <1000 copies/mL).

Why U=U matters:

🔑 Takes away fear of transmission
🔑 Reduces HIV stigma
🔑 Encourages testing, treatment, and openness

👉 If you’re on ART and undetectable, you can have a healthy sex life without fear of passing on HIV.

🌱 Living Well with HIV: Holistic Care

Managing HIV is about more than just taking your meds — it’s about caring for your whole self.

🏃 1. Stay Physically Healthy

  • Take your ART every day
  • Get regular check-ups
  • Eat well & stay active
  • Stay vaccinated (flu, hepatitis, HPV)

❤️ 2. Take Care of Your Mental Health

  • Reach out for support — counseling helps
  • Join a peer support group if you feel isolated
  • Remember: HIV doesn’t define you

👫 3. Relationships & Sexual Wellness

  • U=U means you can love without fear
  • Be open with your partners about your health
  • PrEP is available for your partner’s added protection

🔄 4. Prevent Co-Infections & Stay Protected

  • Keep your viral load low with ART
  • Use condoms to prevent other STIs
  • Get screened regularly for STIs, TB, and hepatitis

🛡️ HIV Prevention Tips

Whether you’re HIV-negative or in a mixed-status relationship, prevention matters:

✔ Use condoms for all types of sex
✔ Take PrEP to stay protected before exposure
✔ Take PEP within 72 hours after exposure
✔ Get tested regularly to know your status

🔑 Key Takeaway

HIV is manageable — treatment works, and prevention tools like PrEP and condoms help you stay safe. With modern care, people living with HIV can live just as long and full a life as anyone else.

If you’re navigating HIV and chemsex, we’re here to support you with judgment-free care and information.