Introduction What is the difference between HIV infection and AIDS? Evaluating your health status Phase 1 - Primo-infection Phase 2 – Seropositive without symptoms Phase 3 – Seropositive with symptoms Phase 4 – AIDS Will I necessarily progress through all phases? What are CD4 cells? What is the viral load? When should I start medications to treat HIV (antiretrovirals)? How does anti-HIV treatment work? Why is it necessary to take several medications at the same time? What are the different types of antiretrovirals? How to choose the best combination of medications? How do I know if my treatment is working? Why are treatments unable to completely erradicate HIV from the body? What are the potential side-effects of antiretrovirals? Why is it sometimes necessary to change the medications in my triple therapy? What is medication resistance? What can I do to avoid resistance? Treatment adherence means: Can alternative or naturopathic/homeopathic therapies assist me in managing my HIV infection? Will I need to take medications for the rest of my life? What can I do to stay in good health? Condom breaks or tears? —Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) HIV and Depression HIV and Aging HIV and Neurocognitive Disorders KASA (Kaletra Adherance and Support Assistance)Program Links and References

This is the earliest stage of HIV infection – when the virus has just gained access into your body and your immune system has begun to react. This phase may be accompanied by symptoms that signal the onset of infection, however, many people have no symptoms whatsoever. When symptoms are present in this stage, they may be characterized by a flu-like illness and/or a mononucleosis-like infection. Some infected persons describe a severe sore throat that refuses to clear up. Some infected individuals develop a skin rash (red spots, plaques etc.). These symptoms typically resolve with time (typically days to weeks).

Be careful! Just because you have one or several of these aforementioned symptoms does not mean that you necessarily have HIV. These symptoms MAY present in the primo-infection or early stages of HIV, but are too general to be ONLY attributable to HIV infection alone. Symptoms alone do not permit the diagnosis of HIV – the only way to diagnose and confirm an HIV infection is via a blood test.

Primo-infection typically resolves within weeks (sometimes months) after the virus has invaded your system.

Research on HIV and aging in QC — 2013

Video - One Life

Aids/HIV & Work .pdf (french)

Your Health & You .pdf (french)

Live Better With HIV .pdf (french)

Fight against discrimination

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