Just Diagnosed: Next Steps After Testing Positive for HIV

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Key Points

  • Although an HIV diagnosis might seem overwhelming, it is important to remember that HIV can be treated effectively with HIV medicines, allowing people with HIV to live long, healthy lives.
  • The first step after testing positive for HIV is to see a health care provider, even if you do not feel sick.

HIV and Immunizations

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Key Points

  • Although there are no vaccines to prevent or treat HIV, people with HIV can benefit from getting vaccines against other diseases like hepatitis B and influenza.
  • Factors such as age, previous vaccinations, likelihood of getting a particular disease, certain HIV-related factors, and pregnancy status can impact which vaccines are recommended.

 

What to Start: Choosing an HIV Treatment Regimen

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Key Points

  • People with HIV take a combination of HIV medicines to form a complete HIV treatment regimen).
  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved more than 50 HIV medicines to treat HIV infection.
  • People with HIV should discuss HIV treatment options with their health care provider to suit their individual needs, including

HIV Treatment Adherence

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Key Points

  • Treatment adherence includes starting HIV treatment, keeping all medical appointments, and taking HIV medicines exactly as prescribed.

Drug Resistance

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Key Points

  • HIV mutations sometimes develop while a person is taking HIV medicines, which may cause drug-resistant HIV that can be transmitted to other people.
  • Once drug resistance develops, HIV medicines that previously controlled a person’s HIV are no longer effective.
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