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.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

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Key Points

  • Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an HIV medicine taken by people who do not have HIV that reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% and from injection drug use by at least 74%.
  • Although PrEP protects against HIV during sex without a condom or if a condom fails, it does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) an

HIV Medicines During Pregnancy and Childbirth

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Key Points

  • HIV medicines (known as antiretrovirals) should be started as soon as possible during pregnancy and/or continued throughout pregnancy to maintain good health, prevent perinatal transmission of HIV, and prevent HIV transmission to sexual partners.
  • Because most HIV medicines are considered safe during pregnancy,

Preventing Perinatal Transmission of HIV After Birth

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Key Points

  • To prevent perinatal transmission of HIV after childbirth, HIV medicines should be continued postpartum and should be started for infants exposed to HIV at birth, ideally within six hours of delivery.
  • HIV testing is recommended for all infants who may be exposed to HIV during pregnancy or childbirth; more frequent testing is recommended for infants at incr

The HIV Life Cycle

Submitted by hiv-info-adm on

Key Points

  • HIV damages the immune system by infecting and destroying CD4 cells (CD4 T lymphocytes), which protect the body from infection.
  • HIV uses CD4 cells to multiply and spread through the body in a seven-step process known as the HIV life cycle.
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