Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks your immune system cells, hurting your body’s ability to fight off infections. HIV causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a chronic, life-threatening condition.

HIV is transferred through blood, breastmilk, and sexual bodily fluids like semen. Medicines can help slow the progression of HIV for many years, reducing the risk for AIDS.

Tests

Blood Test
A blood test can identify HIV. You can take a blood test at home or in a clinic. You may undergo additional blood tests to identify the right treatment for you.

Treatments

Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs)
NNRTIs are antiretroviral (ARV) medicines that help prevent HIV from making copies of itself. The medicine disables a protein that would help the virus multiply.

Nucleoside or Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs)
NRTIs are also ARV medicines that prevent HIV from multiplying. These medicines give HIV faulty enzymes so it cannot properly make copies of itself.

Protease Inhibitors (PIs)
PIs use another technique to stop HIV from multiplying. They deactivate protease, a protein HIV needs to copy itself.

Entry or Fusion Inhibitors
These medicines keep HIV from entering immune system cells, helping protect immune system function.

Integrase Inhibitors
These medicines also protect immune system cells by deactivating integrase, a protein HIV uses to put its DNA into healthy immune system cells.

Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEp)
If you may be exposed to HIV, our physicians provide counseling and medications to help prevent infection.

Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
If you have been exposed to HIV, you can begin taking HIV medicines within 72 hours of exposure. This may help prevent HIV infection in an emergency.

Why Choose UHealth?

Advanced, specialized care to fight infections. From the latest diagnostic techniques to the newest evidence-based medicines, our infectious disease physicians offer specialized care for many infectious diseases including HIV, cytomegalovirus, fungal infections, mycobacterial infections, and more. We create personalized treatment plans based on the cause of your infection and your health to prevent and fight bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. You’ll have access to expert physicians, more treatment options, and supportive care that focuses on your needs.