More Treatment Options Than Ever
A positive HIV result today looks a lot different than it did 20 or even 10 years ago. Medications have advanced to the point where health challenges are relatively similar between positive and negative individuals, and side effects for those on medications are minimal. There are also more choices than ever; a cocktail of pills may be best for some, while a single pill once daily is enough for many. There’s even a shot you can get every month, eliminating the need to remember to take a daily pill.
The important thing is to start treatment quickly. You can talk to an LGBT Life Center staff member about treatment options, recommendations for medical staff that understand HIV, and doctors that are knowledging about queer health.
Call us: 757-640-0929
Email: Info@lgbtlifecenter.org
HIV Won’t Stop You From Accomplishing Anything
Many individuals living with HIV talk about the initial impact of a diagnosis, including self-doubt and worry that their goals will be put on hold. But after understanding the virus better, that doubt makes way to the understanding that life isn’t on hold, and you can accomplish anything you set your mind to, be it sports, love life, work, or absolutely anything.
HIV Isn’t a Death Sentence
HIV stigma leads many people to believe that a positive diagnosis means life-altering health effects. But the truth is, today’s medications are so effective that most people living with HIV can achieve “undetectable” status. Undetectable is when there’s so few copies of HIV in your body that HIV doesn’t turn up on traditional test results. But what’s truly powerful about becoming undetectable is that you cannot pass HIV on to sexual partners (including during condomless sex), and that your body is healthy. Undetectable individuals have the same life expectancy as HIV-negative individuals.
Self-stigma is Real, But It Can Stop with You
In the past, stigma made people think they could tell if someone was positive, but that’s a misnomer we can leave in the past. The health of those living with HIV and those that are negative are relatively similar with today’s treatment options.
How Does HIV Treatment Help?
Treatment keeps your HIV levels in check. How does that help? It keeps your body’s immune system working properly and keeps you healthy. There are other benefits, too, like not being able to pass the virus on, even during condomless sex; treatment lowers inflammation, keeps HIV from becoming resistant to medications, and much more. Check out the video below to learn more about the ways treatment helps.
Get a Routine and Achieve Your Goals
Treatment is prevention. Managing HIV is like managing any chronic health condition (high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.). Work with your health care team, like Health Care Navigators at LGBT Life Center, to ensure you get to your medical appointments (with LIFE Rides, our medical transportation services), get stable housing through LIFE Home, our housing and utility assistance program, and stay on treatment with help from LIFE Pharmacy and LIFE Health, our specialty pharmacy and clinics opening in the Spring of 2024 (LIFE Pharmacy is currently available through mail order and will soon have two physical locations in Hampton Roads). LGBT Life Center also offers social-support groups, events, and programs to help you enhance your understanding of health and wellness.
To learn more, call us at 757-640-0929 and ask to speak with a healthcare navigator or email us at info@lgbtlifecenter.org.
Connect with us!
Tiktok.com/@lgbtlifecenter
Facebook.com/LGBTLifeCenter
Instagram.com/LGBTLifeCenter
Sign up for our monthly newsletter by clicking here.
Leave a Reply