Content Overview 
- Overview
- Take time to breathe. You are a person living with HIV - not a person dying of it. Whatever happened, happened. There is no use dwelling on it.
- HIV Basics
- Commit yourself to doing everything you can to keep the virus in check. Don't make any major decisions that you don't have to make right now.
- Look for a doctor with a large HIV practice who is connected with a quality hospital, in a different locale if necessary. Learn how to maximize your time with doctors.
- Decide whether to start treatment. If so, choose a treatment that fits your life. If you have any question about which treatment to take, get a second opinion.
- Learn to be wise about purchasing, living with, storing and disposing of drugs. Free drugs may be available.
- Non-Western treatments should be complementary, not instead of Western treatments. Cutting edge treatments are available if needed through clinical trials.
- Decide who to tell about your HIV status, and when. Your answers may be different for family and friends, children and work. If not before, tell your children about your diagnosis if you have symptoms.
- Think of family and friends as part of your health care team. Ask for help when you need it.
- Share your emotions. Seek someone to talk with who is going through the same thing you are. Consider joining a support group.
- Start examining your insurance and financial situation to determine how to pay for medical care and drugs or access them for free if you don't have the resources. If you don't have health coverage, get it. You still can.
- Pay attention to your financial basics such as paying your rent on mortgage on time. Keep track of medical expenses. They may be deductible.
- Don't go on a spending spree.
- If you work, learn about your legal rights and benefits, consider who to tell or not, negotiate an accommodation if you need one. Look for an advisor. If you are unable to work, learn how to apply for SSDI/SSI.
- Start getting your legal affairs in order - not because you're going to die from HIV but because the diagnosis can be a trigger to action. It will help you feel in control and help keep you busy.
- Learn about the HIV resources in your community.
- Drugs do not work in a vacuum. Start to think of the food you eat, the exercise you get, rest/sleep and even proper care of your mouth as steps you can take to make drugs and treatments most effective.
- Although a major source of transmission of HIV is through bodily contact, you can still be physically intimate with people. Learn how to avoid transmitting HIV to other people.
- If you have a pet, learn what you need to know to keep both of you healthy.
- Watch for mental conditions that affect your life. Depression, anxiety and other emotional side effects, can be treated.
Newly Diagnosed With HIV
Learn to be wise about purchasing, living with, storing and disposing of drugs. Free drugs may be available.
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Before agreeing to take any drug, consider the pros and cons, as well as the alternatives. Keep in mind that all drugs have risks. The longer a drug has been on the market, the more that is known about its effect (both good and bad).
Even if you have health insurance, it is in your interest to purchase drugs for the least price. Also consider other factors such as convenience and what happens if you need an emergency supply.
Drugs which are prescribed for purposes other than those which have been approved by the FDA are known as being used for "off label" use. If an insurer refuses to pay, appeal with your doctor's help.
Take each drug as directed, when you are supposed to, and for as long as you are supposed to.
For drugs that you take on a long term basis, talk to your doctor about finding out if a lesser dose will accomplish the purpose.
Learn how to safely store drugs, and to dispose of unused drugs.
For information see: Drugs 101: Everything You Need To Know (Including how to get them when you cannot afford them)
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