Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Statutory notification

• HIV is a notifiable infectious disease in Western Australia.
• See notifiable communicable disease case definitions (Word 1.29MB).
• Notifications should be made using the HIV/AIDS notification form (PDF 191KB).
• See also description of statutory medical notifications in Western Australia.

Public health management

Important information

• Infectious agent: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) type 1 or type 2.
• Transmission: Sexual transmission, contact of abraded skin or mucosa with body secretions such as blood, CSF or semen, use of HIV contaminated needles and syringes.
• Incubation period: Variable. Generally 1 to 3 months from time of infection.
• Infectious period: Not known precisely; begins early after onset of HIV infections and presumably extends throughout life. Infectivity during the first months is considered to be high.
• Case exclusion: Do not exclude.
• Contact exclusion:Do not exclude.
• Treatment: Antiviral treatment as recommended in the Guidelines for Managing Sexually Transmitted Infections - WA.

Guidelines

• Guidelines for Managing Sexually Transmitted Infections - WA
• Guideline for Non-Occupational Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (NPEP) to prevent HIV in Western Australia
• National guidelines for the management of Health Care Workers known to be Infected with Blood-borne Viruses (external site)
• Management of Occupational Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids in the Health Care Setting
• Provision of needle and syringe programs
• Operation and Maintenance of Needle and Syringe Vending Machines (NSVMS)
• Code of Practice for Skin Penetration Procedures (PDF 324KB)
• Communicable Disease Guidelines for teachers, child care workers, local government authorities and medical practitioners
• Other WA and National policies and guidelines

Notifiable disease data and reports

• General infectious disease reports