Living and Thriving with HIV

An HIV diagnosis is not the end. It's the beginning of a new way of managing your health.

Your Most Important Tool: HIV Treatment (ART)

The most important thing you can do after an HIV diagnosis is to start and stay on treatment. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the combination of medicines used to treat HIV.

ART is recommended for everyone with HIV. It can't cure HIV, but it helps people with HIV live longer, healthier lives. It also reduces the risk of HIV transmission.

  • Reduces Viral Load: ART lowers the amount of HIV in your blood (your viral load), often to an undetectable level.
  • Protects Your Immune System: It allows your immune system and CD4 cell count to recover, helping you fight off other infections.
  • Prevents Transmission: Achieving an undetectable viral load means you have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV to a sexual partner (U=U).

Adherence—taking your medicine every day as prescribed—is the key to success.

A person organizing their daily medication with a glass of water and an apple nearby.

Prioritizing Your Overall Health

Managing HIV is about more than just medicine. It's about caring for your whole self.

Physical Health

Beyond ART, a healthy lifestyle is crucial. This includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and quitting smoking. Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider will help monitor your health and manage any other conditions.

Mental Health

An HIV diagnosis can bring a range of emotions. It's vital to care for your mental well-being. This can mean talking to a therapist, joining a support group, practicing mindfulness, or connecting with friends and family. You don't have to go through this alone.

Navigating Relationships and Disclosure

HIV can affect your relationships, but open communication and modern science can help.

Dating and Sex

You can have a healthy and fulfilling sex life while living with HIV. The concept of U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) is a game-changer. When your viral load is undetectable thanks to ART, you cannot transmit HIV to your sexual partners.

Using condoms remains important for preventing other STIs.

Disclosure (Telling Others)

Deciding who, when, and how to tell others about your HIV status is a personal choice. You are not obligated to tell everyone. It can be helpful to start by telling someone you trust and who you know will be supportive.

Telling sexual partners is an important part of preventing transmission and building trust.

You Are Not Alone

Connecting with others who understand what you're going through can make a world of difference.

Join Our Support Community