Am I going to die? Expand 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.
Seeing a HIV specialist Expand 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.
Do I have AIDS? Expand 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.
Will I need to go on treatment? Expand 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.
Who can I talk to? Expand 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.
Can I still have sex? Expand 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.