A positive HIV test usually refers to a positive initial HIV antibody test, which does not necessarily mean that you are infected with HIV and requires a confirmatory HIV test to get a final conclusion on whether you are infected with HIV. The diagnosis of HIV can only be confirmed if a positive result is obtained in the confirmatory test and if symptoms related to HIV such as fever, diarrhoea, reduced immunity and weight loss are present.
It is important to note that AIDS is only the final stage of HIV infection, and regardless of the stage of HIV infection, standardised anti-retroviral treatment should be started as soon as HIV infection is detected.