Expert HIV Care.

The Center’s providers are open to nutrition, herbal medicine, and alternative therapies if they don’t interfere with ART.

They will work with you to:

• Consider dietary changes or supplements that support immune health.
• Discuss alternative pain management strategies.
• Take a whole-person approach to your well-being.

Your doctor should be proactive about your partner’s health and offer:

• PrEP prescriptions for HIV-negative partners.
• Routine STI testing.
• Hepatitis B/C screening and treatment.

HPV and other vaccinations.

Yes! With proper treatment and a healthy lifestyle, people with HIV can live long, fulfilling lives. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the combination of HIV medicines used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). ART helps to keep the virus under control, allowing you to work, have relationships, and pursue your goals like anyone else.

Because of the provider’s advanced training in HIV care, the medical team at The Center is highly qualified to manage the full range of needs that arise from a person’s HIV care. You should feel comfortable with The Center’s ability to treat HIV from the Wellness Clinic.

• Ideal for complex cases.
• Routine HIV treatment and general healthcare.
• Chronic condition management (e.g., kidney disease, diabetes), an ID specialist may be preferable.

The Center takes pride in its dedication to inclusive, nonjudgmental care.

As HIV disproportionately affects LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, and marginalized communities, The Center is well-versed in providing care and support to members of these communities.

The Center provides whole body medical care to every body.

At The Center, we take time to:

• Understand unique challenges faced by different groups.
• Be comfortable discussing sexual health, gender identity, and stigma.
• Offer inclusive, nonjudgmental care.

The Center has been treating individuals diagnosed with HIV since starting medical care many years ago.

Together with their patients, our medical team will help to manage:

• Long-term ART management and switching medications when needed.
• Aging with HIV and managing related conditions (heart disease, osteoporosis, kidney health).
• HIV complications, such as drug resistance or co-infections (hepatitis, tuberculosis).

If you are interested in clinical trials, discuss your ability to participate with your provider. The medical team at The Center is well-connected and involved in HIV research, and can make recommendations based on your particular situation.

At your appointment, The Center will check if they accept your insurance (Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance).

If you are uninsured, there are options:

• Ryan White HIV/AIDS programs.
• Sliding-scale fees or payment assistance.
• AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs).
• Patient Assistance Programs.

Your HIV status is protected by medical privacy laws (HIPAA in the U.S.).

• Your information is kept confidential in electronic health records.
• They offer private communication options for test results and appointments.

If you are newly diagnosed or starting a new ART regimen → every 1-3 months.

Once your viral load is undetectable and stable → every 3-6 months.

Routine tests include:

• HIV viral load & CD4 count
• Kidney & liver function tests
• Cholesterol & blood sugar levels
• STI screening (every 3-6 months if sexually active)

Long-term HIV management involves more than just keeping viral load undetectable.

At The Center, your provider will:

• Monitor for HIV-related risks (higher rates of heart disease, osteoporosis, and kidney disease).
• Adjust ART if it affects organ health (some medications impact kidney/liver function).
• Offer preventative screenings for common aging-related conditions.

U=U means that if your viral load is undetectable, you cannot transmit HIV through sex. This allows people living with HIV to have relationships, sex, and even conceive children without transmitting HIV to their partners.

Mild side effects (nausea, headache) often improve over time.
Serious side effects (kidney issues, liver problems, weight gain) may require switching ART.

If you are experiencing side effects from your HIV medication, please contact the medical team at The Center to discuss your options. There are a variety of methods to mitigate symptoms, and other ART medications can be prescribed instead.

Your doctor will:

• Follow current HIV treatment guidelines (e.g., prescribing ART as soon as possible).
• Discuss medication side effects and adherence strategies.
• Offer alternative ART options if you experience intolerable side effects.
• Keep up with new treatments and be open to switching medications if needed.

Look for a doctor who:

• Is board-certified in infectious diseases or has significant HIV-specific experience.
• Has experience treating HIV long-term.
• Follows the latest HIV treatment guidelines (such as those from the CDC or WHO).
• Works at an HIV-focused clinic, hospital, or healthcare organization.

You can check credentials through organizations like the American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM) or the HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA).

The Center provides:

• Case managers/navigators to assist with insurance, medication access, and financial aid.
• Mental health counseling or referrals for therapy.
• Community-based support groups for emotional and peer support.

HIV care should be integrated with your overall health. A good doctor will:

• Monitor mental health (depression, anxiety, substance use).
• Provide sexual health services (PrEP for partners, STI screenings).
• Manage chronic conditions that HIV or ART may impact.
• Offer referrals to specialists (e.g., cardiologists, nephrologists) when needed.