Firstly let us look at exactly what happens when somebody in Australia is infected with the HIV virus
Within a month or two of HIV entering the body, 40% to 90% of people experience flulike symptoms known as acute retroviral syndrome (ARS).
The problem here is that inversely it is possible that at least 60 per cent of individuals infected with HIV virus will show no symptoms at all. Additionally in some cases the HIV symptoms don't appear for years—sometimes even a decade—after infection.
As a result…"In the early stages of HIV infection, the most common symptoms are none," says Michael Horberg, MD, director of HIV/AIDS for Kaiser Permanente, in Oakland, Calif.
The this leads to an alarming reality where many individuals are infected with the HIV virus that has may have shown are no symptoms and they have not tested they carry on their life has normal. This leads to a risk of infecting others and of course places a greater burden on the Health System in Australia.
The only way for an individual in Australia to know for certain if they have the HIV virus is by taking an HIV test. Whether this is testing carried out by the doctor or if they are using an HIV self test kit, HIV testing is the only method for detecting the virus.
Had an individual has had unprotected sex or used intravenous drugs they are at a greater risk of contracting the HIV virus and should test immediately.