Like many chronic manageable (long term) health conditions, HIV presents an opportunity to look after yourself better and to re-focus your mindset and physical health. Find out how to develop or maintain a healthy, fulfilling sex life and, if you are starting a relationship, or plan to have children
Prevention PrEP stands for Pre Exposure Prophylaxis. PrEP is an antiretroviral medication that is taken by HIV negative people to prevent HIV infection.
Studies from around the world have shown that if taken daily, PrEP works
Treatment HIV is treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART). Most treatments require you to take one or two tablets a day. There are different medication options and you should work with your HIV doctor to find the right one for you.
What is HIV? HIV is a virus. HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The virus uses immune cells, called CD4 or T cells, to make copies of itself. This replication process can destroy the immune cells. When too many cells are destroyed, the body can’t fight infections and diseases, which can lead to AIDS.
NSW Dried Blood Spot (DBS) HIV Test This HIV home testing kit, the Dried Blood Spot (DBS) HIV Test, makes testing easy, reliable and convenient by allowing individuals to order a free self-sampling kit online. People are able to take their own sample in the privacy of their homes and send it to a laboratory for testing and results management.
PrEP stands for Pre Exposure Prophylaxis. PrEP is an antiretroviral medication that is taken by HIV negative people to prevent HIV infection. Studies from around the world have shown that if taken daily, PrEP works.
There are effective options for couples wanting a baby if you or your partner has HIV. With HIV medications and technology, it is possible to prevent HIV passing between men and women when trying to fall pregnant. Also, with medical management and following guidelines, such as being on HIV treatment and not breast feeding, the chances of an HIV-positive female passing the virus to her baby are extremely low.
PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis) is a daily medicine (taken as a pill) that helps you stay HIV-negative. Studies from around the world have shown us that if taken daily, PrEP works. Read more about PrEP here. PEP (Post-exposure Prophylaxis) is an emergency medicine you take within 72 hours of possible exposure to HIV. Find out more about PEP on the Relationships and sex page.
When one partner is negative Many HIV-negative men and women have relationships with HIV-positive people. The technical term for this is a serodiscordant relationship. Some people talk about ‘pozneg’ or ‘magnetic’ couples. There are many such couples enjoying successful long-term relationships. The person without HIV can stay negative, and both partners can enjoy all the things other couples do – including having sex.
Planning to tell someone Deciding whether to tell someone you have HIV can be challenging. Remember that you are in control of who you tell and who you don’t. If you do decide to tell, a bit of planning can make it easier. Telling someone you have HIV is often called ‘disclosure’
