HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It kills or damages the body’s immune system cells. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is the most advanced stage of infection with HIV.

HIV most often spreads through unprotected sex with an infected person. It may also spread by sharing drug needles or through contact with the blood of an infected person. Women can give it to their babies during pregnancy or childbirth.

The first signs of HIV infection may be swollen glands and flu-like symptoms. These may come and go a month or two after infection. Severe symptoms may not appear until months or years later.

A blood test can tell if you have HIV infection. Your health care provider can perform the test, or you can call the national referral hotline at 1-800-CDC-INFO (24 hours a day, 1-800-232-4636 in English and en español; 1-888-232-6348 - TTY).

There is no cure, but there are many medicines to fight both HIV infection and the infections and cancers that come with it. People can live with the disease for many years.

Learn more about how Ohio State treats HIV/AIDS at our Infectious Diseases Clinical Trials Unit.

Our Providers

Our Providers

Julie Mangino, MD

Julie Mangino, MD

  • Infectious Disease
  • Physician

Faculty Emeritus of Internal Medicine

(614) 293-4854
David Wininger, MD
4.9 out of 5

David Wininger, MD

  • Infectious Disease
  • Physician

Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine

  • McCampbell Outpatient Care
  • Infectious Disease Care in McCampbell Outpatient Care
(614) 293-4854
Ryan Carroll, MD

Ryan Carroll, MD

  • Infectious Disease
  • Physician

Clinical Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine

  • McCampbell Outpatient Care
  • Infectious Disease Care in McCampbell Outpatient Care
(614) 293-4854

Our Locations

Infectious Disease Care

in McCampbell Outpatient Care
1581 Dodd Drive
4th Floor Suite 400
Columbus, OH 43210
614-293-4854
Ohio State Health and Discovery Stories

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