Did You Just Test HIV Positive
Your Not Alone—Get help!
Testing positive for HIV often leaves a person overwhelmed with questions and concerns. It’s important to remember that HIV is a manageable disease that can be treated with HIV medicines. HIV medicines can’t cure HIV, but they help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives.
- The first step after testing HIV positive is to see a health care provider, even if you don’t feel sick. Prompt medical care is the best way to stay healthy.
- People with HIV work closely with their health care providers to decide when to start treatment and what HIV medicines to take. Making these decisions begins with an HIV baseline evaluation.
- An HIV baseline evaluation includes a review of the person’s health and medical history, a physical exam, and lab tests.
- Results from an HIV baseline evaluation are used to decide whether a person is ready to start lifelong treatment with HIV medicines, and, if so, what HIV medicines to start.
