People with HIV on effective treatment can live long, healthy lives. They do not pass HIV on to sexual partners.
There’s a lot you can do to look after your general health and wellbeing, such as:
Coping with a HIV diagnosis
Hearing that you have HIV can be shocking, but treatment is very effective. People with HIV can live a healthy life.
It can be helpful to get support to cope with your diagnosis.
Getting support
HIV is a long-term condition. This means you will have a healthcare team who will help you manage it. You will be in regular contact with them. They will review your treatment regularly.
You can talk to your HIV care team and ask them about any symptoms or other concerns you may have. Make sure you attend all your clinic appointments.
The specialist HIV clinic is usually part of a sexual health or infectious diseases clinic at the hospital.
Psychological support
Being diagnosed with HIV can be very distressing, and feelings of anxiety or depression are common. It is important to look after your emotional health.
Talk to your HIV care team if you are anxious or have concerns. They may be able to put your mind at ease.
They may also be able to direct you to someone with a similar diagnosis, who is willing to give support.
Support groups are available online and in person.
Community support
- HIV Ireland
- Sexual Health Centre Cork
- Sexual Health West
- GOSHH
- Poz Vibe Podcast - created by people living with HIV
Helplines
HIV and stigma
HIV-related stigma happens when there are negative beliefs and misconceptions about HIV. This stigma can affect your mental wellbeing if you are living with HIV.
You may fear you will be judged negatively. It may prevent you from talking about your HIV or getting the necessary treatment.
You are not alone in experiencing stigma. Talk to someone about how you feel if stigma is stopping you from getting treatment.
Speak to your HIV care team or support organisation if you feel isolated or unable to cope.
Telling people about your HIV
It can be difficult to decide who, how and when to tell someone you have HIV. But sharing this news with people who support you can bring a sense of relief.
Your HIV clinic may recommend you tell people involved in your healthcare such as your GP, dentist and pharmacist. They can help make sure you get the medical care you need.
Sharing your status - hivireland.ie
Telling your sexual partner and former partners
If you have HIV, it is important that your current sexual partner gets tested, and treated if needed. It is also best to tell anyone you had sex with since getting HIV.
Talk to your HIV care team if you find this difficult. They may be able to give you advice on who to contact and how to contact them. They may be able to get in touch with them on your behalf.
HIV and getting pregnant
You should speak to your HIV care team if you are considering a pregnancy.
For many couples where 1 person is living with HIV, conception can happen naturally. But if you are having difficulties getting pregnant, there are options available. Talk to your team about your options.
Urgent advice: Contact your HIV clinic as soon as possible if:
- you have HIV and become pregnant
Pregnancy and birth
HIV treatment protects your health in pregnancy and greatly reduces the risk of passing HIV on to your baby.
When your treatment is working properly, there is no increased risk of passing the virus to your baby with a vaginal delivery.
Talk to your HIV care team about the birth and any concerns you may have.
Feeding your baby
HIV can be passed on to babies through breast milk. The chance of this is much less if you are taking antiretroviral therapy and your HIV viral load is undetectable.
There is no risk of passing HIV through formula milk.
Talk to your doctors and nurses about your options. This will help you make the best choice for you and your baby.
Opportunistic infections
If your immune system has been damaged by HIV and you have a low CD4 count you are at risk of getting certain infections.
These are called opportunistic infections.
HIV treatment increases your CD4 count and reduces the amount of virus in your body. This reduces your risk of opportunistic infections.
With early diagnosis and treatment, most people with HIV will never get opportunistic infections.
You are more likely to get these infections when HIV progresses without treatment.
Types of opportunistic infections
There are many different types of opportunistic infections.
These can be caused by certain bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.
Sometimes when your CD4 count is below a certain level, you may be prescribed preventive medicine. You take this along with your antiretroviral therapy (ART).
The medicine gets the virus under control and lets your immune system recover. Your doctor may stop this medicine when your immune system is better.
Your HIV care team will talk to you about this.
Examples of opportunistic infections include:
- pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PJP)
- cerebral toxoplasmosis
- cryptococcal meningitis
- CMV retinitis
Sometimes opportunistic infections happen for other reasons, not just HIV. For example, some treatments for cancer and autoimmune conditions increase your risk of getting certain opportunistic infections.
Get vaccinations when due
If you have HIV, make sure to get a flu vaccine each autumn to protect against seasonal flu.
You should also get a pneumococcal vaccination. This offers protection from infections caused by a bacteria called streptococcus pneumonia. This bacteria can cause serious chest infections, meningitis and blood stream infections.
Get COVID-19 booster doses when they are due. If you are living with HIV, you may be considered a priority group in COVID-19 vaccination programmes.
If you are living with HIV you may benefit from other vaccines. Speak to your HIV care team about other vaccines they may recommend.
HIV-related cancers
People with advanced HIV also have a higher risk of developing some forms of cancer. For example, cancer of the lymphatic system (lymphoma) and Kaposi's sarcoma.
HIV treatment is important in reducing your risk of cancer and long-term conditions, such as cardiovascular and respiratory disease.
If you smoke, try to give up. Giving up will help reduce your risk of these conditions.
Money and financial support
If you have a job but cannot work because of your illness, you may be entitled to sick pay from your employer.
Sick leave and sick pay - citizensinformation.ie
If you do not have a job and cannot work because of your illness, you may be entitled to:
- Illness Benefit
- Partial Capacity Benefit
- Disability Allowance
- Supplementary Welfare Allowance
Apply for benefits - welfare.ie
You may also be eligible for:
- the Drug Payment Scheme
- a GP Visit Card
Benefits and schemes that can help with healthcare costs
Benefits for people who are sick or have a disability - citizensinformation.ie
Other ways HIV may affect your life
You may find that HIV limits you in some other ways.
For example:
- you will not be able to donate blood or organs
- you may have difficulty getting some types of insurance - get support with this from HIV Ireland
- there are some countries you will not be able to visit