With a greater choice of treatment options, most people living with HIV can expect to live a long, healthy life.[1]
In the field of HIV care, incredible progress has been made over the last four decades. We are now in an era where most people diagnosed with HIV who are treated effectively with antiretroviral therapy can expect to live a long and healthy life similar to that of the general population. In addition, HIV treatment has transitioned from a handful of pills taken multiple times per day, to simplified once daily regimens and long acting treatment options that allow doses to be taken months apart. There are a range of options to meet individual needs.
STARTING A CONVERSATION WITH A DOCTOR OR HIV CARE TEAM
Starting a conversation with your doctor may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.
Being involved in decisions about your treatment can bring lots of benefits. You’re more likely to feel satisfied with your care and better understand how antiretroviral therapy can benefit you.[2]
With inspiring stories from the HIV community and links to helpful resources about treatment options, our empowering conversation guide will help support people living with HIV to feel better prepared to speak to their doctor and HIV care team and be fully equipped to make informed choices about their care.
Complete the conversation guide below. It can be downloaded or saved on a mobile device or printed to share with an HIV care team.
Conversation Guide
INDIVIDUALISED TREATMENT OPTIONS
Every individual’s journey with HIV is unique, and so should be the care they receive. Working in partnership with an HIV care team is a key step when striving for individualised care. This includes open conversations around side effects, mental wellbeing and the growing variety of treatment options available. HIV treatment development is constantly pushing forwards to develop innovative treatment options, informed by listening to and understanding the needs of people living with HIV.
TOM’S EXPERIENCE
Learn about Tom’s journey and how starting a conversation with his doctor improved his life.
BRATISLAV’S EXPERIENCE
Listen to Bratislav’s experience starting the conversation with his HIV care team and participating in treatment decisions.
ROBERT’S EXPERIENCE
Hear how Robert’s experience changing treatments was a revelation, giving him back his freedom.
UNDETECTABLE = UNTRANSMITTABLE
A suppressed viral load means there is zero risk of transmitting the virus through sexual contact, Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U).[3] This is an empowering message and has been used in many public health campaigns and clinical guidelines across the world.[4–6] It is a simple and powerful reminder of the benefits that effective antiretroviral therapies can bring to people living with HIV and their sexual partners.
Learn the facts about U=U
A treatment that meets a person's individual needs is a key factor in preserving their U=U status. A conversation with an HIV care team is the first step in deciding if alternative treatment options are a better fit or not. Many people will be happy with their treatment however those who are thinking about other options may be worried about new side effects, impact on long term health and a new treatment being less effective. An HIV clinician can help answer these concerns,
THRIVING WITH HIV—WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Thriving with HIV involves more than just physical health, it also includes emotional and mental well-being and the pursuit of personal goals and aspiration. One aspect that may support you to thrive, is understanding treatment options that are available to you and having informative conversations with your HIV team to support decisions around your healthcare and individual needs.
Knowledge is power
Understand how the right treatment and care can lead to a healthy, long life with HIV.
Each person’s unique circumstances must remain at the centre of all conversations about their care. Because with the right care, we can all hope to thrive.
References:
- NAM AIDSMAP. Life expectancy for people with HIV. Available at: https://www.aidsmap.com/about-hiv/life-expectancy-people-living-hiv. [Accessed February 2024].
- Chen WT, Wantland D, Reid P, et al. Engagement with health care providers affects self- efficacy, self-esteem, medication adherence and quality of life in people living with HIV. J AIDS Clin Res. 2013;4(11):256.
- European Aids Clinical Society (EACS) Guidelines. 2019. Version 10;91. Available at: https://www.eacsociety.org/files/guidelines-10.0_final_2_2.pdf. [Accessed: February 2024].
- Prevention Access Campaign. About. 2017. Available at: https://www.preventionaccess.org/about. [Accessed: February 2024].
- Prevention Access Campaign. Consensus statement. 2019. Available at: https://www.preventionaccess.org/consensus. [Accessed: February 2024].
- Australasian Society for HIV, Sexual Health and Viral Hepatitis Medicine (ASHM). Guidelines for health care providers for providing advice regarding U=U (undetectable = untransmittable). Available at: https://www.ashm.org.au/HIV/UequalsU.pdf. [Accessed: February 2024].
NP-GBL-HVX-DPB-240004 | June 2024
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the GSK Reporting Tool link https://gsk.public.reportum.com/. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
If you are from outside the UK, you can report adverse events to GSK/ ViiV by selecting your region and market, here.
