HIV can be controlled with the right medical treatment and care. After initial infection, people may not have any symptoms for years. Within a few weeks of getting HIV, some people get flu-like symptoms that last for a week or two, but others have no symptoms at all. Learn more ways HIV is transmitted What are the Signs and Symptoms Of HIV? The chances of getting HIV through oral sex are much less than from anal or vaginal sex. Receptive anal sex (bottoming) is riskier than insertive anal sex (topping).