HIV and AIDS

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Ohio: 216.444.8845 Florida: 877.463.2010

Just a few little letters can stir up big emotions.

Even though healthcare providers now consider HIV and AIDS to be chronic — rather than life-threatening — conditions, a lot of people don’t know that. Carrying the weight of the stigma-filled history of HIV and AIDS can be exhausting. You may have lots of questions whirling around in your mind. What’ll happen if I tell my loved ones about my diagnosis? What does this mean for my future? What does life with a chronic condition look like?

At Cleveland Clinic, you’ll get HIV testing and treatment in a respectful, nonjudgmental environment with experts who understand the physical, emotional and social complexities of living with HIV and AIDS. Here, your privacy comes first. And we’ll confidentially listen to your concerns, with compassion and empathy.

Why Choose Cleveland Clinic for HIV and AIDS Care?

Personalized care:

Our healthcare providers develop lasting relationships by getting to know you as a person, not just a patient. We care about your specific needs and goals. We’ll personalize your care to help you feel your best.

Convenience and privacy:

We offer easy and private HIV testing and treatment. We’ll help you get your medications free of charge, regardless of insurance coverage. Our Ryan White funding lets us provide excellent medical care to those who don’t have healthcare insurance.

Collaborative care:

We believe in a team-based approach. That means our experts from different specialties work together to support the specific needs you have of living with HIV or AIDS. You’ll find mental health services, sexual health services, an alcohol and drug recovery program, an anal dysplasia clinic, and obstetrics and gynecology for family planning. Meet our team.

Caring approach:

Our providers help people with HIV and AIDS every day. They understand that this diagnosis can be hard to talk about, and that you might feel uncomfortable reaching out for help. Know that we’re here for you. Our providers offer a compassionate, judgment-free zone and will support you every step of the way.

Virtual visits:

If getting to your provider’s office is challenging, you might be able to have a virtual visit for some appointments. You’ll get the same great care but from the comfort and convenience of home. All you need to get started is an internet connection and a smartphone, computer or tablet.

National recognition:

Cleveland Clinic is a trusted healthcare leader. We're recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for our expertise and care.

Diagnosing HIV and AIDS at Cleveland Clinic

You might not have any symptoms of HIV. Or you might have flu-like symptoms like fever, chills, tiredness and swollen lymph nodes. Or maybe you feel like you get sick more often than most people. If you or your partner(s) experience any of these things or you think you’re at risk for HIV exposure, it’s important to get tested. At Cleveland Clinic, it’ll be done confidentially and conveniently.

What to expect at your first visit

We know you might feel nervous or overwhelmed when you come in for your first appointment. Rest assured, our providers are experts you can trust.

During your visit, your provider will listen carefully to you. They’ll ask about your medical history and have you talk about your life so they can customize your care to fit your individual needs and goals. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, too. It’s your appointment, and your provider will want to know what’s on your mind.

They’ll also talk with you about what it takes to stay healthy with HIV. You’ll learn about treatment, diet and nutrition, screening and testing, exercise and substance use. But it’s not just about your physical health — they’ll ask about your mental health, too. They know the emotional and social complexities of HIV. They’ll want to get a whole picture of you and your health.

You can feel secure knowing all your care at Cleveland Clinic will be in a comfortable, confidential environment — from understanding providers who specialize in HIV and AIDS healthcare.

Meet Our HIV and AIDS Team

When you come to Cleveland Clinic for HIV and AIDS, you can feel confident about having skilled healthcare providers guiding you every step of the way. This team could include:

Providers Who Treat HIV and AIDS

Locations

Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio and in Florida.

Treating HIV and AIDS at Cleveland Clinic

Your providers will work with you to create a treatment plan that’s unique to you — whether you’ve just been diagnosed or have had HIV for a while.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART)

The most effective way to manage HIV is with a combination of medicines (pills) that you take every day. This is called antiretroviral therapy (ART). Your healthcare provider will carefully select a combination specifically for you.

The goal of ART is to significantly reduce the amount of HIV in your blood (viral load). It also helps slow HIV’s weakening of your immune system.

If you take HIV medicine as prescribed and maintain an undetectable viral load, you can live a long and healthy life. Having an undetectable viral load also means you can’t spread HIV to your HIV-negative partner(s) through sex.

Treatment with ART is recommended for all people with HIV, regardless of how long you’ve had the virus or how healthy you are.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for your partner(s)

You may be worried about what HIV means for your partner(s) and their safety.

If you have HIV-negative partners, they should consider taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP uses medications to lower the risk of getting HIV. There are a few different types of PrEP. We’ll work with your partner(s) to find the best option for them.

Follow-Up Care

Part of managing HIV and staying healthy is seeing your healthcare team regularly. We’ll help you stick to your treatment plan and check in to see if you’re having any side effects. You’ll also have regular blood tests to measure your HIV viral load. And we realize that life happens. If something unexpected makes it harder to manage life with HIV and AIDS, we’ll be there to support you and get you back on track.

Taking the Next Step

You can live a healthy life with HIV and AIDS if you make a lifelong commitment to getting the right care. And you’ll want experienced, understanding healthcare providers on your side to guide you all along the way. Cleveland Clinic’s highly skilled HIV and AIDS team is ready to help with personalized, confidential and compassionate care.