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Women & HIV/AIDS |
Finding an HIV Doctor
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Home > HIV/AIDS Home > Living with HIV/AIDS > Finding an HIV Doctor
One of the most important relationships to a woman living with HIV is her relationship with her doctor. This relationship can have a significant impact on her well-being. Not only can the doctor recommend a treatment plan, he or she can provide needed support and encouragement.
Your regular doctor or trained HIV counselor can help you find a doctor with experience treating HIV and AIDS. When selecting a doctor, you should feel comfortable with the doctor and have faith in his or her abilities. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, this is especially important. Make a list of questions to ask when you start looking for a doctor. Include these questions:
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Are you an HIV specialist?
The CDC recommends that people infected with HIV be treated by HIV specialists.
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Have you treated many women with HIV?
It is important to find a doctor who has experience with the unique issues women with HIV and AIDS face.
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What services does your clinic offer?
Find a clinic that has a team of doctors, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, and pharmacists so that your many different needs can be met in one place.
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What do you think about me participating in treatment decisions?
Try to find a doctor who encourages your involvement in treatment decisions, such as when to start medications and the use of complementary and alternative therapies.
A doctor who specializes in HIV/AIDS can provide comfort during this time and may also provide referrals to programs offering social support, housing, case management, and other services.
Additional Resources:
Publications
Seeing an HIV Doctor — HIV doctors are skilled at providing care and treatment to HIV patients. This publication discusses what HIV-positive patients should expect when seeking an HIV doctor including tests and questions to ask. http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/contentfiles/SeeingHIVDoctor_FS_en.pdf
Choosing an HIV Care Provider (Copyright © AIDSinfonet.org) — This publication explains why it is important to choose an experienced HIV care provider. It also explains the importance of having an open relationship with your doctor, which will help you to talk with your doctor about your treatment plan and other issues affecting your health and HIV care. http://www.aidsinfonet.org/fact_sheets/view/202?lang=eng
Medical Appointments (Copyright © AIDSinfonet.org) — This publication can help you prepare for and get the most out of your doctor visits. http://aidsinfonet.org/fact_sheets/view/203?lang=eng
Organizations
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HHS
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Divisions of HIV/AIDS Prevention, CDC, HHS
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AIDS InfoNet
= Indicates Federal Resources
Content last updated March 4, 2009.
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