Exceptional HIV Care So You Can Live Your Best Life
We’ll help you keep your HIV under control, so you can focus on living the life you want—without HIV holding you back.
Want more info on HIV? Click here to learn more.
HIV Treatment
Yes, HIV is treatable! And with the right treatment, people with HIV can expect to live as long as those without HIV.
Protect your sexual partners, keep your body healthy, and find peace of mind by receiving your HIV treatment care at AXCES.
Newly diagnosed?
Starting HIV treatment early helps your immune system stay strong so that it can protect you from other infections. By keeping the amount of virus in your system (aka viral load) so low that it can’t be detected by tests, your body stays healthier and you can’t pass the virus on to your partner(s). (See more info about this below.)
What is U = U?
U=U stands for Undetectable=Untransmittable. This means that when a person with HIV is on treatment and maintains an undetectable viral load (amount of virus in their blood), they have zero risk of transmitting HIV to their sexual partner(s). An undetectable viral load means a longer, healthier life for you.
All about HIV
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All about HIV *
What is HIV?
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. Without intervention, HIV can weaken your immune system and lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), which is the final stage of HIV infection. Once HIV has progressed to AIDS, your immune system is so weak, it can no longer protect you from certain infections.
Can HIV Be Cured?
There is currently no cure for HIV, meaning the virus never fully leaves your body. But there’s still good news! HIV can be controlled effectively with something called antiretroviral therapy (ART).
ART involves taking a combination of HIV medicines daily to reduce the amount of virus in your body (called the “viral load”) to undetectable levels, allowing you to live a long and healthy life. Additionally, when the viral load is undetectable, the risk of transmitting HIV is zero.
How is HIV Diagnosed?
HIV is diagnosed through tests done at clinics like AXCES or your state’s Department of Health, or with at-home testing kits.
The most important thing to know is that if you get a positive result, you need to follow up with a medical clinic as soon as possible so they can do follow-up testing to make sure your result is correct.
It's recommended for everyone ages 13 to 64 to get tested at least once, and more frequently if you have new partners.
What is U=U?
U=U stands for Undetectable=Untransmittable. This means that when a person living with HIV is on treatment and maintains an undetectable viral load (amount of virus in their body), they have zero risk of transmitting HIV to their sexual partner(s). An undetectable viral load can also mean a longer, healthier life for you.
How is HIV Passed from One Person to Another?
You can get HIV by coming into contact with certain bodily fluids from someone living with HIV who is not taking medications. These bodily fluids include blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum), rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.
HIV can NOT be passed through contact with sweat, tears, or saliva. You can also get HIV by sharing needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment with someone who has untreated HIV.
Transmission of the virus can occur when these bodily fluids come into contact with mucous membranes found in the vagina, penis/urethra, anus/rectum, and the mouth (less common). That means that engaging in activities like unprotected sexual contact, sharing needles, giving birth, and breastfeeding carries risk of transmitting HIV from one person to another.
HIV is also easier to transmit or get if you have other STIs/STDs, which is why it is recommended to get tested regularly if you are sexually active.
Still have questions?
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505-207-8078 to talk with our friendly staff.
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