"Like most people, I knew something about AIDS and HIV, but I believed it could never happen to me. When a friend told me about the quick and confidential test offered by the African American Health Program, I decided it couldn't hurt. When the test came back positive, I was shocked. A counselor was available right then to help me. Ever since, the AAHP has continued to offer me information, referrals and support. I'm not saying it's been easy, but today I am living with confidence, with hope-and yes, with AIDS."

OUR PROGRAMS

• Facts
• Prevention
• Management
• Resources
• Fact Sheet

From Testing to Treatment,
Help Is Here

Disease Management

• Early medical treatment and a healthy lifestyle can help you stay well. Prompt medical care may delay the onset of AIDS and prevent some life-threatening conditions.
• See a physician, even if you do not feel sick. A physician who has experience treating HIV is recommended.
• There are many drugs to treat HIV infection that can help you maintain your health. It is never too early to start thinking about treatment possibilities.
• Currently, there are 26 antiretroviral drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat individuals infected with HIV. These drugs fall into three major classes: Reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors; Protease inhibitors (PI) and Fusion inhibitors.
• Currently available drugs can suppress the virus, even to undetectable levels, but are unable to completely eliminate HIV from the body. Hence, infected patients still need to take antiretroviral drugs. Despite the beneficial effects of antiretroviral therapy, there are side effects associated with the drugs that can be severe.
• The AIDS Administration provides prescription coverage for people living with HIV/AIDS through the Maryland AIDS Drug Assistance Program (MADAP). Check their website for qualification criteria.
• Good nutrition and physical exercise are essential. Smoking cigarettes, drinking too much alcohol, or using illegal drugs (such as cocaine) can weaken your immune system.
• In order to receive the support needed, the issue of how, when and to whom to disclose your diagnosis is very important. Community beliefs, stigmas and attitudes often make it difficult for disclosure decisions to be made. However, telling close friends, loved ones and family members can be beneficial for the support you will need. But remember, you don't have to tell everybody. Take your time to decide who to tell and how you will approach them. Be sure you're ready. Remember, once you tell someone, they won't forget you are HIV-positive.
• In many states, you can be found guilty of a felony for not telling a sexual partner you are HIV-positive before having intimate contact.