Living With HIV

HIV is a virus spread through blood and sexual contact. When not treated, HIV affects your immune system and puts you at higher risk for infections, cancers, and other problems.

While HIV is a serious diagnosis, these days it is very manageable. You can live a long and healthy life, often by taking just one pill a day. Read more about how to do this below.

Starting medication right away and staying on it consistently can improve your long-term health and well-being.

Remember:

• Take your HIV medication at the same time each day.
• Do not stop taking it or miss doses.

Let your provider know if you:

• Start or stop any new medications, supplements, or vitamins.
• Are planning to get pregnant, currently pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Read more about:

• HIV treatment basics
• Steps to take before and after starting HIV medications

Your provider will order regular lab tests to monitor your condition.  Read more about labs here.

You can also keep yourself healthy by:

• Staying up to date on vaccines.  
• Getting regular screenings for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Keep others healthy by:

• Telling your sexual and IV drug use partners about your diagnosis.
• Using condoms each time you have sex.
• Not sharing needles if you use IV drugs.

Read more here.

Not feeling well?  Let your provider know.  Fevers, colds, and other illnesses can sometimes be more serious when you're living with HIV.

If you're hospitalized:

• Tell your care team about your HIV diagnosis.
• Have a list of your medications and doses ready.
• Read more about what to do here.

It's common to feel anxious, depressed, or angry after being diagnosed.  If you have thoughts about hurting yourself or others, please call or text 988 (or go to 988lifeline.org).

If you feel unsafe because of this diagnosis or are in a relationship where you feel unsafe, call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or go to theehotline.org.