🩺 Medically effective: HIV therapy keeps the virus under control and protects your health in the long term.
🤝 Community counts: Medical guidance, counselling and support will help you get off to a good start.
🔍 Clarity & protection: With therapy and knowledge, you can have sex without passing on HIV.
✨ Thanks to modern HIV therapies people today can live just as long and healthy as others
What does HIV positive mean?
HIV positive means that the HI virus has been detected in your body. This does not mean that you are ill or have AIDS. Thanks to modern medicine, HIV can be treated very well. The therapy ensures that the virus can no longer multiply. This keeps you healthy and prevents you from passing on the virus during sex.
First steps after diagnosis
When you receive the diagnosis, take time to process it. Shock, fear or anger are completely normal reactions. It is important to seek medical support now - preferably at a specialist HIV practice. There you will not only receive medication, but also counselling and support.
The earlier you start treatment, the better you protect your body. The treatment is simple and well tolerated; one tablet a day is usually enough. Open discussions with doctors will help you to gain confidence and safely manage your journey with HIV.
Living with HIV today
With modern antiretroviral therapy (ART), you can lead a long, healthy life with HIV. The medication reduces the viral load in the blood to such an extent that it is no longer detectable. This means that anyone who is successfully treated cannot pass on HIV during sex - the principle „U = U“ (undetectable = untransmittable).
Side effects are rare and regular check-ups ensure effectiveness. You can work, do sport, travel and have relationships - HIV is easily treatable today and is no reason to restrict your life.
Sexuality, relationships and protection
Sexuality is part of life - even with HIV. If your viral load is below the detection limit, you cannot pass on HIV during sex. However, condoms and regular tests are still important to protect you from other STIs.
Trust, communication and knowledge create safety - for you and your partner. So you can enjoy closeness without fear.
Everyday life and support
HIV therapy becomes part of your everyday life, but it does not determine who you are. Many people report that they live more consciously after their diagnosis, are more open with themselves and set new priorities. With the right support, you can shape your life the way you want it to be - stable, fulfilled and free.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about HIV positive
A positive test result raises many questions - about therapy, protection, everyday life or relationships. Here you will find answers to the most common questions that arise after the diagnosis.
Being HIV-positive means that the HI virus has been detected in your body. However, this does not automatically mean that you are ill. With effective treatment, you can suppress the virus to such an extent that it is no longer detectable in the blood and you remain healthy. Today, many people with HIV lead a completely normal life with work, relationships, friendships and sexuality.
Yes, definitely. Thanks to modern HIV medication, people with HIV now have an almost normal life expectancy. It is crucial that the infection is recognised and treated early. If you take your medication regularly and go for regular check-ups, your health will remain stable in the long term.
The therapy - known as antiretroviral therapy (ART) - usually consists of one tablet a day. It ensures that the virus can no longer replicate in the body. This reduces the viral load in the blood to an undetectable level. This not only protects your own health, but also others - because HIV can then no longer be transmitted (U = U: „undetectable = untransmittable“).
Yes, of course. If you are on treatment and the virus is undetectable in your blood, you cannot pass on HIV during sex. It is only important that you take your treatment reliably. Condoms also protect against other sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis or chlamydia.
After a diagnosis, it is normal to have many feelings - fear, anger, uncertainty or relief at finally having certainty. The important thing is that you are not alone. There are doctors, counselling centres and community services to support you. The next step is to talk to an HIV-focussed practice to start treatment and clarify your questions.
There is currently no complete cure, but HIV therapy can completely suppress the virus. This means that you remain healthy, can live normally and cannot pass on HIV. Research into a cure is ongoing worldwide.
Only you can decide that. Nobody should force you to disclose your HIV status. Many people experience support when they are open about it - but it is completely fine if you take your time or only tell selected people. Counselling centres will help you to deal with such situations safely.
More about HIV
Blog posts about HIV and Aids
Exciting articles and voices from the community: find out more about everyday life with HIV, prevention methods and personal experiences.
Materials to inform and share
Here you will find various materials on HIV, AIDS and queer health - digital or printed, to read, look at and pass on.
HIV / AIDS, hepatitis and sexually transmitted diseases
Basic information on transmission, protection, diagnosis, treatment | 2023 „HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and sexually transmitted diseases“...
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