Newly Diagnosed

If you recently recieved a positive HIV test this means you have contracted HIV. Having HIV does not mean you have AIDS. This result may be a shock and you probably have lots of questions that you want answered.
Your doctor will be able to provide some answers. In addition to CAN, the organisations listed on the bottom of this page can give you more information or help you contact other people with HIV who have been through this experience.
The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone. Your doctor and these organisations can provide you with information and support.

How is HIV spread?

HIV can be spread through unsafe sex, through the sharing of needles and other drug-injecting equipment, and through other blood-to-blood contact. It can also be transmitted from mother to baby.

It is important to use condoms during sex, to avoid sharing drug-injecting equipment and to prevent any blood-to-blood contact. HIV cannot be transmitted casually such as by sharing eating utensils or by touch.

Monitoring your health

In order to discover how your body is coping with HIV it is crucial to monitor your health. A T-cell or CD4 cell count gives an indication of the damage to your immune system (by measuring the number of CD4 cells) and a viral load test indicates how much virus is in your system. It is important to note changes in these indicators so that treatments can be started or changed at the best times.

Treatment

HIV can be treated. A range of drugs is now available that can control the virus and limit the amount of damage it can do to your immune system. These are called antiretroviral drugs.

The aim of this treatment is to reduce your viral load (the amount of HIV in your blood) and to allow your immune system to repair any damage that has occurred (by increasing your CD4 cell count). Antiretroviral drugs are given in combination.

To find out if and when it is necessary to begin treatment, you must work with your doctor to monitor your health.

Your doctor

Your doctor has an important role to play. Your doctor is a good person to talk to about HIV in a private and confidential manner. She or he may be authorised to prescribe antiretroviral drugs. Authorised prescribers have undergone training on how to manage HIV, which allows them to prescribe antiretroviral drugs subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

If your doctor cannot prescribe HIV medications, then she or he can refer you to a doctor who can. If necessary, the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHM) can help you and your doctor locate a HIV specialist in your area.

Confidentiality

Your HIV test result is personal. You do not have an immediate obligation to tell anyone, although it is a legal requirement in NSW and Tasmania to inform sexual partners of your status prior to having sex.

There is no legal requirement to disclose your HIV status to any of your treating doctors, nurses, dentists or healthcare providers. If you do decide to disclose to any of these professionals they are required to keep that information confidential unless you give your consent or disclosure is required by law, court order or in exceptional circumstances.

Someone to talk to

You may like to start thinking about who you can talk to. As a person newly diagnosed with HIV, it is important to ask questions and find the kind of support that suits you.

HIV/AIDS organisations offer a range of information and services including counselling, peer support or simply someone to talk to confidentially. They can also refer you to other services that may be more suitable.

Remember, you are not alone.

These are just a few organisations and groups other than CAN that exist to provide you with information and support.

• HIV Sexual Health Connect  Freecall 1800 038 125
• PLWHA (Victoria)
  Ph: 9865 6772
  Freecall: 1800 622 795
• Victorian Aids Council/GMHC 
  Ph: 9865 6700
• Straight Arrows
  Ph: (03) 03 9276 3792
• Positive Women
  Ph: (03) 9276 6918
• Melbourne Sexual Health Clinic
  Ph: 9347 0244
  A free and confidential service.

Information on this page sourced from "HIV Patient Fact Sheet" published online by ashm

 www.ashm.org.au/hiv-patient-sheet

HIV