Shot of an attractive young doctor sitting with her patient during a consultation in her clinic
Your Questions Answered
So, you’re curious about HIV. Maybe you’ve recently been diagnosed, are helping out a partner or friend, or simply looking for reliable, fact-based information. Whatever brought you here, welcome. You’re in the right place.
Symptoms
Treatment
Contact Us
Shot of an attractive young doctor sitting with her patient during a consultation in her clinic
Your Questions Answered
So, you’re curious about HIV. Maybe you’ve recently been diagnosed, are helping out a partner or friend, or simply looking for reliable, fact-based information. Whatever brought you here, welcome. You’re in the right place.
Symptoms
Treatment
Contact Us

What is HIV?

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. It damages the body’s immune system, making it easier for a person to get sick. When it comes to the difference of HIV vs. AIDS, it’s important to note that you cannot have AIDS without being infected with HIV. But people can and do live long lives on treatment for HIV and AIDS.

But what causes HIV? Good question. HIV can spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex, injection drug use or sharing needles, contact with infected blood, or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

HIV Symptoms
While some people never experience symptoms of HIV at all (making routine testing vital), about two-thirds of people will have a flu-like illness. HIV symptoms in men and HIV symptoms in women are often the same. However, there are a few symptoms that exclusively affect people with a uterus. Some common signs of HIV can include:
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Rash
  • Fatigue
  • Longer or shorter periods
  • Night sweats
  • Muscle aches
  • Sore throat
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Lower belly pain
If you are experiencing symptoms and need to get tested for HIV, please visit www.FreeHIVTest.net to locate a testing center near you.
Symptoms of AIDS
If a person has HIV and is not on treatment, eventually, the virus will weaken the body’s immune system and progress to AIDS. AIDS symptoms can include:
  • Rapid weight loss
  • Recurring fever
  • Profuse night sweats
  • Extreme and unexplained tiredness
  • Prolonged swelling of the lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck
  • Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week
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Treatment & Prevention Options

While HIV cannot be cured, modern therapies and treatments are available that can help HIV-positive people live long, healthy lives. There are two types of HIV treatment: pills and shots. There are many effective HIV prevention options as well.

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  • HIV treatment pills are recommended for people who are just starting HIV treatment. Mail-order prescriptions can make it easier to stay consistent with treatment pills.
  • HIV treatment shots are long-acting injections used to treat people with HIV.
  • Condoms are still one of the best ways to prevent the spread of HIV.
  • PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a medicine that reduces your chances of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use.
  • Never share needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment.
Learn More
Healthcare Designed for You

Here at AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), we’ve spent 35 years designing and perfecting our HIV medical services to make sure you receive care that meets all of your needs. You’re a whole person, and we’ve made it our mission to treat and care for the whole you.

We offer a wide range of services designed to fit your life. From expert primary care and HIV pharmacy services to health insurance assistance and medication delivery, we do whatever we can to help you stay as healthy as possible.

Undetectable = Untransmittable

Did you know that when people with HIV stay in treatment, their viral load can get so low that HIV won’t appear on standard blood tests? When this happens, doctors refer to a person’s status as “undetectable.” When someone’s viral load becomes undetectable, they can’t spread HIV to others during sex, and the virus becomes “untransmittable.”

AHF helps our clients’ status become HIV undetectable & untransmittable through state-of-the-art medical care and access to an HIV specialty pharmacy. We offer unique pill packaging, prescription delivery, and adherence support to help you stay consistent with HIV medication and attending routine appointments.

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Have a Question? Contact Us!
Someone from our team will reach out to you!
Recently Diagnosed?

If you recently tested positive for HIV and aren’t sure what to do next, we can help. Our team is here to guide you through the first vital steps of your health journey.

AHF Linkage to Care Specialists will quickly and easily get you started in care at one of our AHF Healthcare Centers. Simply fill out the form to get the process started.

Our Team is Here for You

We understand that dealing with a positive diagnosis is a process. But we’re here for you. It’s important to remember that you can live a long and healthy life with the proper care and treatment.

When you choose AHF, you have access to the following:

  • One on One Guidance and Support
  • Help with Registration Paperwork
  • Immediate Appointment Scheduling
  • Transportation Assistance
  • HIV Specialty Pharmacy Services
  • Mail Order Pharmacy & Pharmacy Delivery
  • HIV Medication Assistance
  • HIV Financial Assistance

Don’t wait. Get started on your journey to good health today.

Contact Us Today
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