If you are newly diagnosed as being HIV+, don’t panic and don’t despair. Life isn’t over, it’s just not the end of the world.
Yes, if left untreated HIV is still deadly. But when treated, people can live long and normal lives in every way. The best part is that treatment of HIV makes the virus “undetectable” so that you can live healthy, and your sexual partners can too!
When a person is undetectable, not only is the virus at-bay inside the body, but there is zero risk of transmitting the virus to sexual partners. But there is a catch, you need to get tested and into treatment.
Step 1: Assessment
If you’re living with HIV, first you’ll need to get started on your journey of treatment.
If you have insurance and a primary care provider, make an appointment and let them know you’re looking to begin HIV Treatment. Most insurance covers HIV treatment, labs, testing and medications – even Medicaid in most states.
If you don’t have insurance, or if your insurance doesn’t cover it all there are several ways to go. There are local assistance programs depending on your state and county. Drug companies offer affordability programs and the nation-wide Ryan White Program of medical services can provide financial aid for most people depending on your income.
If you have no idea where to start, contact your local health department or an LGBTQ outreach organization who can grab you by the hand and help you navigate your path. They are there for you and are ready to help you figure it all out.
Step 2: Your first visit
Be honest with your provider about your entire situation and ask all of the question you have. If you aren’t comfortable with your current provider, get another one that specializes in LGBTQ patients and their specific health matters.
Be prepared that the first appointment may be very in-depth and require a lot of questions and tests. Follow-up visits for treatment typically requires regular check-ins for labs and on-track counseling every 3-6 months. So again, find a provider you like, can easily work with, and who gets you.
Step 3: Lab work
Each time you visit your provider, they’ll want to run labs to ensure your treatment plan is working. They’ll draw blood samples to check your immune system and viral load (the amount of HIV in your bloodstream) and will help you keep on top of your general health as well.
If you receive Ryan White Program Services, be sure to keep your lab results handy – you’ll need them every 6 months for your renewals.
Be proud of your results! Undetectable not only means the virus is un-transmittable to your partner(s), but it also means there is less HIV in your body. Less HIV means less damage to your immune system, allowing you to stay healthy!
Step 4: Take your medication
HIV treatment will only work if you take your medications every day. Find a routine that works for you to take the medication around the same time each day. There are lots of best-practices for good adherence from daily pill organizers to phone reminder apps. If you are partying a lot with alcohol and drugs it’s especially important to find a way to stay steady on your medications no matter what else.
Getting and staying at zero
When you’re living with HIV and disciplined with your medication daily, you can achieve undetectable viral levels.
Undetectable means the medication has suppressed the virus so much in the body that it’s no longer detectable by modern tests. It also means the virus isn’t running wild in your body – allowing you to live a long, happy and healthy life! Undetectable also means the virus is un-transmittable to another sexual partner.
Countless scientific studies from governments and organizations all over the world have concluded that there is ZERO risk of transmitting HIV to another person sexually when a person is undetectable. ZERO risk of transmission. It all comes down to getting into treatment – and staying in treatment.
No stigma, no apologies
Being positive for HIV is a medical condition, not a character or moral defect. When you are living undetectable, you have nothing to fear, be ashamed of, or to apologize for about when it comes to being out in the world as a gay man.
If you are living with HIV makes you no more “dirty”, “shameful” or “undesirable” than having other health conditions like diabetes, high blood-pressure, or other conditions. It’s treatable just like those conditions and doesn’t have to stop you from having just as much sex, falling in love, being happy or attaining success in your profession.
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