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What is HIV?

Treating HIV

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Positive prevention: goals and barriers

In the United States, public health initiatives for people already infected with HIV aim to increase (CDC, 2003a, 2003b; Del Rio, 2003; Institute of Medicine, 2001; Janssen et al, 2001):

  • Access to HIV testing
  • Access to quality medical care
  • Use of quality medical care
  • Adherence to HIV therapy
  • The adoption and maintenance of HIV risk-reduction behaviors

Despite these efforts, individuals with HIV still face unique challenges in preventing the transmission of HIV. First, they face embarrassment, discomfort, and fear of rejection surrounding disclosure of their HIV serostatus to sexual and drug-use partners. In some cases, the desire for trusting sexual relationships outweighs fears of transmission, and thus reduces condom use.

The AIDS Policy Research Center maintains a list of prevention resources for people with HIV.

The interrelatedness of testing, treatment, and prevention

HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and support are interrelated. People living with HIV need medical treatment, psychological care, and social support, not just for their own disease but also to prevent spreading HIV to others (DiClemente et al, 2002; International HIV/AIDS Alliance, 2003). Combining HIV prevention with testing and treatment services has a number of advantages. According to the International HIV/AIDS Alliance (2002), in particular, providers can:

  • Screen patients with HIV for behavioral risk factors and address them through counseling and referrals
  • Screen patients with HIV for clinical risk factors, such as STIs/STDs, and administer treatments and vaccinations
  • Teach recently diagnosed people with HIV how to protect their sex and drug-use partners
  • Teach mothers with HIV how to reduce their chances of giving HIV to their children

Discussion question: Why are HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and support interrelated? Why is it beneficial to offer all of them to people with HIV?

Next >> Positive prevention strategies

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