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  • living-with-hiv
  1. Get support
  2. Know the facts
  3. Living with HIV

Living with HIV

Am I going to die?

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There is no cure for HIV but if diagnosed early and with the right treatment it is possible to have the same healthy life expectancy as someone who does not have HIV. Although there have been many deaths there has also been many people who acquired HIV in the early 1980s and are still living healthy and well today. Some of them have always been well and some were unwell until effective treatments came out in the 1990s. These days, HIV is now considered a chronic health condition, not a terminal illness. 

Published: 2nd March, 2019

Updated: 17th March, 2019

Author: Jeffrey Hirono

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Can I still have sex?

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Yes.

Most people living with HIV in Scotland, on effective treatment, become undetectable. This means that they can't pass HIV on to their sexual partners. Condoms, or PrEP are other ways that HIV transmission can be prevented. 

Published: 7th March, 2019

Updated: 17th March, 2019

Author: Jeffrey Hirono

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Who can I talk to?

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Many people find it useful to talk to someone. Don't try to deal with things on your own, finding the right support is essential. Professional and confidential advice is available from your clinic or doctor to find the support you need. There are also peer support websites where you can speak with other people living with HIV such as MyHIV.

It may be difficult to talk to people about your HIV, such as family, friends or sexual partners. Many people are surprised by the positive reaction of their loved ones, whereas others may feel regret about having told. Not everyone needs to know and you should think carefully about how, when or if to tell those close to you as their reactions may not be what you expect.

You can also ask your HIV clinician for information about the local HIV patient forum, which may be a good option for you to meet other people living with HIV in your local area. 

Published: 6th March, 2019

Updated: 17th March, 2019

Author: Jeffrey Hirono

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Will I need to go on treatment?

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Treatments are incredibly effective and are highly recommended. Your HIV specialist will discuss treatment options and implications with you. Depending on the results of your blood tests you may or may not need to go on HIV treatment right away. Being on treatment can now involve as little as taking one or two pills a day.

Published: 5th March, 2019

Updated: 16th March, 2019

Author: Jeffrey Hirono

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Do I have AIDS?

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HIV and AIDS are not the same thing. HIV attacks the immune system, which is the body’s defence against disease. If you have HIV and it severely damages your immune system you may develop physical ailments such as pneumonia or Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It’s the presence of conditions such as those that are used to diagnose someone as having AIDS. In the 1980s and early 1990s before treatments were available, the term AIDS was used frequently but the effectiveness of new treatments means that very few people living with HIV in Scotland go on to develop AIDS anymore.

Published: 4th March, 2019

Updated: 16th March, 2019

Author: Jeffrey Hirono

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Seeing a HIV specialist

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Once you are diagnosed you will need a HIV specialist doctor to help you keep track of your health. Your first appointment with an HIV specialist should be made for you within at least 14 days after you are diagnosed. 

You will then see your HIV specialist roughly every 6 months. Remember you can discuss your treatment, support and other health issues with your specialist at every appointment. Always feel comfortable to ask questions or raise any concerns. 

Published: 3rd March, 2019

Updated: 17th March, 2019

Author: Jeffrey Hirono

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Can I get a tattoo if I'm living with HIV?

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Living with HIV should not prevent you from getting a tattoo. 

Guidelines from medical experts and voluntary sector organisations confirm that refusing people living with HIV a tattoo, piercing or beauty treatment is illegal under the Equality Act 2010.  Asking clients if they are HIV positive is also unjustified according to current data protection legislation (Data Protection Act 2018 and General Data Protection Regulation 2018) as collecting this information is unnecessary. 

The guidelines explain that licensing requirements mean that clients are protected from HIV and other blood-borne viruses by standard universal precautions, such as sterilising equipment, using fresh disposable gloves, and new ink for each and every person. These treat each and every client as though they may have an undiagnosed blood-borne virus and eliminate the risk of a blood-borne virus being passed from one client to another.

More information:

New guidelines confirm it's illegal and unnecessary to refuse people living with HIV a tattoo

'All I wanted was a tattoo' blog

If you experience discrimination by tattoo studios/artists due to your status, get in contact with us.

Published: 21st September, 2020

Author: Henry Gray

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Showing 10 of 7

Latest

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    Virtual Kiltwalk 2021

    Will you take on the challenge this April, in order to raise money for HIV Scotland's work?

  • Join us on the Virtual Kiltwalk in April 2021

    Join us on the Virtual Kiltwalk in April 2021

    Set yourself a challenge this April for the Virtual Kiltwalk and raise money for HIV Scotland.

  • Be Proud - Drew's Guest Blog

    Be Proud - Drew's Guest Blog

    Drew Tallis tells us about their journey coming to terms and living with HIV.

  • NAM shares results of 2020 PrEP Survey

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    We are pleased that National AIDS Map (NAM) today published some findings from the 2020 PrEP survey we collaborated on with PrEPster, iwantPrEPnow and Public Health England.

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  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) and people living with HIV in Scotland

    Coronavirus (COVID-19) and people living with HIV in Scotland

    We're regularly updating information about COVID-19 (also known as the novel Coronavirus) as we understand that people who live with weakened or compromised immune systems may be experiencing an extra level of anxiety and uncertainty at this time.

  • One Year On - Chief Executive Comment

    One Year On - Chief Executive Comment

    Our Chief Executive, Nathan Sparling, comments on the successes, challenges and what's to come after one year at the top.

  • Consultation on Malicious Disclosure of HIV Status

    Consultation on Malicious Disclosure of HIV Status

    HIV Scotland has launched a consultation to understand the views of people living with and affected by HIV, organisations and legal professionals on whether malicious disclosure of someone's HIV status should be made a hate crime.

  • HIV Scotland comment on data leak from NHS Highland

    HIV Scotland comment on data leak from NHS Highland

    Our Chief Executive, Nathan Sparling, has commented on the news that the personal information of 37 people was leaked in an email by NHS Highland.

  • Election 2019: Addressing Scotland’s Drug Crisis

    Election 2019: Addressing Scotland’s Drug Crisis

    HIV Scotland joined with Waverley Care, the Hepatitis C Trust, Hwupenyu and Terrence Higgins Trust to ask General Election candidates to back drug reform.

  • What is physical distancing?

  • Police to stop labelling people living with HIV

    Police to stop labelling people living with HIV "contagious" on intelligence database

    HIV Scotland uncovered the practice, forcing Police Scotland to conduct a review and announcing a stop to the policy. HIV Scotland welcome the move, but say fundamental questions still remain.

  • New Year, new opportunities

    New Year, new opportunities

    Our Chief Executive, Nathan Sparling, blogs on the opportunities which the new decade offers us in the HIV sector.

  • Remembering Derek Ogg QC

    Remembering Derek Ogg QC

    Our chair, Dr Nicoletta Policek, writes about her memories of Derek Ogg QC - and how he saved her life - ahead of his funeral on Friday 15th May.

  • Sex, Health and Mental Wellbeing during COVID-19 Questionnaire

    Sex, Health and Mental Wellbeing during COVID-19 Questionnaire

    You are invited to take part in an anonymous and confidential survey about the sexual, physical and mental health experiences of people living with HIV and PrEP users during Scotland’s COVID-19 lockdown.

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