Frequently Asked Questions about HIV

Here are some of the questions about HIV that we're often asked.

Click any question to see our answer.

Like any chronic disease like diabetes or Asthma, if you don't take care of it it can cause serious illness and even death. However, if you do take care of it you can live a normal life and have a normal life span. The same is true with HIV. When HIV first came on the scene we had no treatment for it and many people got sick and died but as the years went by we developed better and better treatments. Now we feel that we can really manage the disease well - in a way that allows people to live long and HEALTHY lives. In order to do this though it is absolutely necessary that you establish a good relationship with a Medical Provider (like a Doctor or Nurse Practitioner) who has had a lot of experience working with people with HIV. This is something that you can do at the Downtown Youth Clinic.

Why do I have to take medications?

Well, it is not a given that you do need to take medications if you have HIV. Many people who have the virus don't have to take them. We only give people medications when the body's immune system (the part of the body that fights disease) is really depleted or if the person is sick because of their HIV.

Can I have children?

Yes! It is definitely possible to have children who are not infected with HIV if you yourself have the virus. How this is done is different depending on if you are a man or a woman. Many of the young women who receive care at the Downtown Youth Clinic are mothers and to date ALL of them have delivered HIV negative babies. We are able to do this by giving medications to both the mother and the infant during the last several months of the pregnancy and the first weeks of the baby’s life. The techniques used for men are very different but just as effective. These techniques involve “washing” the sperm cells so that they are free of the HIV virus.

Who do I have to tell that I HIV?

You don't have to tell anyone if you are not ready to. But if you become intimate with someone you must use protection otherwise there can be legal complications should you infect someone without telling them.

Now that I have HIV I can't have sex any more, right?

No, you can still have sex. If at this moment you feel you lost the desire to be intimate that is okay and normal. But having an intimate relationship with someone is also normal and a part of human nature whether you are HIV+ or not.

So I can only have an HIV+ partner?

No. Many people are in mixed relationships. Some HIV- people may feel uncomfortable but that is normally due to not knowing or understanding the virus. If you would like, we can help with the disclosure and educate your partners about HIV and how to protect themselves and remain HIV-.

What should I do if I miss or forget a dose of my HIV medications?

Remember that taking your medication is very important for many different reasons. The medication in your bloodstream must stay constant if the treatment is going to work at all. So if you miss a dose and let’s say for example you are on a regimen that requires you to take pills twice a day, then take the medications AS SOON as you remember and then take the next dose about 12 hours later. Now this might change the times that you normally take your medications but remember that you can always work backward to get back to the times that you originally started. Another example, you take your meds at 10 am and 10 pm and you forgot your morning dose because you were late to work and rushed out of the apartment. Luckily, you keep an emergency dose somewhere convenient to you and you take that morning dose at 12 pm. Then your next dose would be at 12 am. If you wanted to go back to the 10 am schedule then what you do the next day is to take the dose at 11:30 am, then again at 11:30 pm, then the next day at 11:00 am and again at 11:00 pm, and so on until you get back to 10:00 am. This would be perfect for you to talk to the treatment advocate about.

What are some of the common side effects when taking the HIV medications?

There are many side effects that come with any medication you take. Some are the same for almost all meds and some are very specific. When it come to anti-HIV meds the list goes on and on such as diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, headache, fever, and flu-like symptoms. Some of the side effects begin right after you start taking the meds and some begin a little later and then eventually go away. It is safe to say that it will take some time before your body becomes adjusted to the meds, but this time is different for everyone. What is most important to know is to be able to communicate any side effects and changes from the norm to your provider. This is especially true if you begin to develop symptoms that may indicate an allergic reaction such as red body rash, difficulty breathing, and/or extreme abdominal/stomach pain. Talking with your provider about the potential side effects and allergic reactions will help you tolerate the side effects and prevent an emergency trip to the hospital.

Can I take the meds with food or are there things that I can’t eat?

Fortunately most of the meds have no food restrictions. This means that you can take most meds with or without food and that you don’t have to worry that there are certain foods you cannot eat. Your provider will let you know if there are food restrictions if you are taking a regimen that has food restrictions. Some meds, for example, must be taken on an empty stomach and either before or after a meal and with other meds you should avoid high fat meals like fast food. If food is an issue, this would be another great thing to talk to the treatment advocate about so he or she can either work with your provider or social worker (if you have one) to find resources and options.