What do I do if I have HIV?

You should first know that life continues after becoming HIV positive. Thanks to new treatments, many people with HIV are living long, healthy lives. It is very important to make sure you have a doctor who knows how to treat HIV. A healthcare professional or trained HIV counselor can provide counseling and help you find an appropriate doctor who will advise you regarding treatment regimens. Peer support and other support groups can also be very helpful for management of HIV.

Is there a cure for HIV?

No, there is no cure for HIV. However, with good and continued treatment, the progression of HIV in the body can be slowed down and almost stopped. Increasingly, people living with HIV feel good and are productive for many years after infection. There is no reason to believe life ends once a person becomes HIV positive. Many people live long lives after becoming HIV positive.

Where can I get information about treatment?

If you do not have a healthcare provider or would like information on how to find an HIV-knowledgeable doctor, you can search here for HIV treatment and services provided by Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program medical providers. The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program provides HIV primary medical care, drug treatment support, and essential support services to low income people living with HIV.

What is antiretroviral therapy?

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is used in the treatment and prevention of HIV infection. Antiretroviral drugs work against HIV by stopping or interfering with the reproduction of the virus in the body. Antiretroviral drugs have been able to slow the progression from HIV to AIDS, so that some persons who are HIV positive have lived twenty or more years without developing the symptoms of AIDS. This is a real triumph, as HIV positive persons are able to live relatively normal and active lives, provided they take ART treatment regularly (daily).

When taken the right way, ART greatly reduces the amount of HIV in the blood (the viral load). In some individuals taking these drugs the HIV viral load becomes undetectable, and when this happens there is little if any risk they will transmit HIV to a partner (perhaps no risk at all). It isn’t known if someone with an undetectable HIV viral load is able to transmit the virus through sharing needles and injecting equipment, though.

What other kinds of care do people with HIV need?

Even when antiretroviral therapy (ART) is available, people living with HIV need other elements of care. In addition to access to HIV treatment, good nutrition, safe water, and basic hygiene are examples of the behaviors and activities needed to ensure a good quality of life for a person living with HIV. Often people with HIV need psychosocial support and counseling; family, friends, peers, and support groups can help people that are HIV positive learn how to take care of themselves and lead a prosperous life. You can find more information on all of this at the CDC website.

How can I tell a partner that I am HIV positive?

Before you tell a partner about your HIV status, it’s important that you first come to terms yourself with having HIV. If you don’t understand and accept the fact that you have HIV it will be even more difficult for a partner to. It will also be important to know the basic steps that you can take to reduce the risk to your partner. You will want to feel confident and knowledgeable before talking with your partner.

When you do talk to your partner, choose your own words and way of telling your partner. What’s comfortable for one person may be different for another. Some examples of what has worked for people in the past:

• “I want to talk with you about something that’s important to me.”
• “I really feel I can trust you and I want to tell you something very personal. Last year, I found out I have HIV. Can I tell you about it?”
• “I really like you and enjoy being with you, and I want to get closer to you. Let’s talk about safer sex.”

For many people telling their partner that they have HIV is a sensitive issue and knowing when to raise it is important. It’s best to let the friendship develop first, but it’s not best to wait until you’ve become sexually intimate. If you wait this long people may feel angry or have mistrust. Disclosing your status can create a more honest and open relationship, either as friends or intimate partners. Not everyone will feel comfortable immediately after conversations such as these, that’s why patience and understanding are key. Remember, telling a partner about your HIV status is a small part of relationship building.

More Resources

• HIV Treatment information from Greater Than AIDS
• Living with HIV from CDC
• Ask the HIV Doc
• Find a Ryan White medical provider