Access to Treatments

Knowing that you are HIV positive allows you to consider treatment options that are right for you. Starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) as soon as is practicable can reduce damage to your immune system and maintain your body’s health while living with HIV.

Blood tests let you know:

• the amount of HIV in your blood, known as your viral load

• characteristics of the strain of the virus you’re infected with.

This information helps you and your doctor to understand:

• how your body and current medications are reacting to the virus

• which ARTs will work best for you

• when the time is right to commence treatment.

Stopping onwards transmission

When you are aware of your HIV status you can protect yourself and others from contracting HIV. You can also do a range of other things to prevent HIV. The most basic, and also the easiest, thing to do, is to always use condoms and lube when fucking or being fucked.