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HIV AND AIDS > Questions & Answers
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 longer, healthier 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 or AIDS. However, with good and continued adherence to treatment the progression of HIV in the body can be slowed down and almost halted. 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 prosperous lives after becoming HIV positive.

Where can I go for information about treatments?
 For more information, call the CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). This service is available in English or en español. For TYY service, please call 1-888-232-6348. These services are open 24 hours, 7 days a week and can offer general information to help you discuss HIV treatments as well as other treatments with your doctor. If you do not have a doctor or would like information on how to find an HIV-knowledgeable doctor, the Hotline specialists can provide you with referrals in your area.

What are antiretroviral drugs (ART)?
Antiretroviral drugs (ARTs) are used in the treatment and prevention of HIV infection. They 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).



What other kinds of care do people living with HIV need?
Even when antiretroviral drugs (ARTs) are 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.

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.

Are you, or is someone you know, living with HIV/AIDS?

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