This Fact Sheet contains selected contact information for organizations providing HIV/AIDS services and information. GENERAL HIV/AIDS INFORMATION HIVinfo.NIH.gov (800) 448-0440 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): HIV (800) CDC-INFO [(800) 232-4636] CDC HIV Resource Library Project Inform (415) 558-8669 FINDING HIV CARE AND TREATMENT… Read More

DID YOU JUST LEARN THAT YOU HAVE HIV? It can be very scary to learn that your HIV blood test came back positive, but it’s not a death sentence. If you receive an HIV diagnosis, it means that you have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Unlike… Read More

ABOUT THIS CHECKLIST People with HIV should have some laboratory tests and vaccinations on a regular basis. You might want to keep your own file of test results. Also, keep track of any antiretroviral medications (ARVs) you take and when changes are made to your… Read More

WHY IS CHOOSING AN HIV HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMPORTANT? Treating HIV can be complicated. It’s best if you and your healthcare provider work together as a team. That makes it easier to choose and stick to your treatment plan. Healthcare provider means a doctor, physician assistant,… Read More

WHAT ARE THE ISSUES? When you test positive for HIV, it can be difficult to know who to tell and how to tell them. In some states, there are partner-notification laws. Partner notification refers to information conveyed to spouses, sexual partners, needle-sharing partners, and others… Read More

WHAT IS A CLINICAL TRIAL? A clinical trial is a research study done to evaluate new medical approaches in people. New approaches can include: New medicines or new combinations of medicines New medical devices or surgical procedures New ways to use an existing medicine or… Read More

WHY IS EXERCISE IMPORTANT? Exercise cannot control or fight HIV disease, but it may help you feel better and fight many of the side effects of HIV and antiretroviral medications (ARVs). It can also help you live healthier while aging with HIV. WHAT ARE THE… Read More

WHY IS SMOKING MORE DANGEROUS FOR PEOPLE WITH HIV? People with HIV are more likely to smoke than healthy people. Smoking can interfere with normal lung function in healthy people. In people with HIV, smoking can make it more difficult to fight off serious infections.… Read More

HOW DOES SUBSTANCE USE AFFECT HIV? Drug and alcohol use is related to HIV in the following ways: Use of alcohol and recreational drugs can lead to risky behaviors that increase the chances of getting or transmitting HIV. Recreational drugs include injection and non-injection drugs… Read More

WHAT ARE VACCINATIONS? Vaccinations, or immunizations, are treatments that build up your body’s defenses against certain infections. It can take a few weeks for your immune system to respond after a vaccination. Vaccines are usually very safe. Live vaccines use a weakened form of the… Read More

WHAT ARE NERVOUS SYSTEM PROBLEMS? The nervous system has two parts. The brain and spinal cord are the central nervous system (CNS). The nerves and muscles are the peripheral (around the outside) nervous system (PNS). People with HIV can have several problems with the nervous… Read More

WHAT IS WASTING SYNDROME? AIDS wasting is the involuntary loss of more than 10% of body weight, plus more than 30 days of either diarrhea, weakness, or fever. Wasting is linked to disease progression and death. Losing just 5% of body weight can have the… Read More