Client Care Continuum

The HIV Care Continuum is the steps or stages of medical treatment for HIV. The continuum of care begins when someone receives an HIV diagnosis and includes finding the right health care, starting antiretroviral therapy (ART), adhering to treatment, and staying in care. The goal of the continuum of care is viral suppression.

The continuum of care can also refer to a model used by epidemiologists and other health care professionals to monitor the success of HIV-related programs and to identify and address gaps in HIV-related services. This model measures linkage to care, retention in care, and viral suppression among people with HIV.

Here are some simple things you can do to manage your HIV:

Get In Care

Once you receive a diagnosis of HIV, the most important next step is to start taking HIV Medication to treat it as soon as possible.

• See if you’re eligible for the Ryan White Program

• Find health care providers

• They will help you stay informed about your HIV care and connect you to other services

Take your HIV Medications

Getting on HIV treatment is the best thing you can do for your overall health and the first step to getting an undetectable viral load. Medications used to treat HIV are called antiretroviral therapy or ART.

Stay in Care

HIV care and treatment is most effective when you actively take part! That means taking your medications as prescribed, going to your medical appointments, and communicating honestly with your provider.

Take Care of Your Physical and Mental Health

Receiving a diagnosis of HIV can be a life-changing event. People who are newly diagnosed can feel many emotions—sadness, hopelessness, and even anger. Pay attention to your mental health. Your HIV health care provider can help you access Mental Health Services to help you work through the early stages of your diagnosis and begin to manage your HIV.

Talking to others who have HIV may also be helpful. You are not alone. Ask your provider for help finding a local HIV support group. Learn about how other people with HIV have handled their diagnosis and how they overcame the struggles they faced and went from surviving to thriving here .

Keep Your Viral Load Undetectable

Viral suppression is defined as having less than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood. HIV medicine can also make the viral load so low that it doesn’t show up in a standard lab test. This is called having an undetectable viral load. Research shows that people with HIV who get and keep an undetectable viral load can live long and healthy lives and will not transmit HIV to their HIV-negative partners through sex. This is sometimes called “Undetectable = Untransmittable” or U=U.