Whether you were recently diagnosed with HIV or have questions about the disease, the most important fact to remember is you are not alone.
Patients newly diagnosed with HIV are encouraged to enroll in HIV care, find support groups and local resources, decide who to share their status with, and locate information to better understand the disease. Once diagnosed with HIV, you will always carry the disease in your body. The good news is that if you start medical treatment early, manage your medication and remain in care, you can keep the virus under control and live a full and healthy life with HIV. Treatment will also decrease your chances of passing the virus to others, including your spouse or partner, and for females, your unborn child.
Community members seeking more information about HIV/AIDS can visit Where to Get Tested to find testing locations near you and the CAPUS Resource Directory to learn more about medical and social services throughout the state of Georgia. The CDC recommends that everyone between 13 to 64 years of age get tested at least once per year if sexually active. High-risk groups are encouraged to get tested more often (every 3-6 months).
You should get tested if you answer yes to any of the following questions:
- Have you had unprotected sex with someone who didn’t know his or her status?
- Have you had sex without a condom or dental dam with someone who has HIV?
- Have you had sex with more than one partner?
- Have you had sex with someone you didn’t know?
- Have you had sex with a man who has sex with men?
- Have you been diagnosed or sought treatment for a sexually transmitted disease (STD)?
- Have you had sex for drugs or money?
- Do you use drugs with needles or have sex with someone that does?
- Have you been to the doctor in the past year, but haven’t been tested for HIV?
- Are you between 13-64 years of age, sexually active, and have not been tested for HIV or any other STD in the past year?
If you would like to speak with someone anonymously, contact the Georgia AIDS and STD InfoLine at 1-800-551-2728.