HIV Management

HIV healthcare is continually evolving, in treatment options, onward transmission prevention, and other health and quality of life issues. However, the best way to manage people living with HIV remains the same. They should be:

treated with respect and dignity regardless of lifestyle choices
an equal participant in open and honest discussions about their health care choices
able to access healthcare free from stigma, shame and discrimination

HIV testing, treatment & prevention | Sexual Health Clinic Perth

HIV and Sexual Health North

The team at Sexual Health North have been involved in HIV healthcare and prevention since the 1990s, we have witnessed the amazing innovations in patient care over this time. We also understand the dedication required to keep current in this continually evolving field of medicine.

Similarly, there has been a transformation in HIV prevention strategies. It wasn’t long ago that condoms were the only option in preventing the spread of HIV. While condoms still have an important role in people who use them consistently and effectively, there are other strategies to assist people at significant risk of acquiring HIV. Our team members have been involved in efforts to improve the availability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) throughout WA and would be happy to discuss if this option might be right for you.

HIV treatment | Sexual Health Clinic Perth

What is HIV?

HIV, or the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, targets cells in the body’s immune system. Over time, if untreated, this can weaken the body’s ability to fight infections and prevent cancers developing. The good news is that, in Australia, we have access to excellent treatment options for HIV. While there is no cure for HIV, these treatments can reduce the amount of virus in the body to a minute amount, allowing the body’s immune system to recover. Today’s treatments are often a single daily tablet with little to no side effects. If treated, people can live healthy and fulfilling lives, with a normal life expectancy.

If the immune system is severely weakened, there is risk of developing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). We mostly see AIDS in people who have waited many years before getting tested for HIV. With good uptake of HIV testing in Australia, having AIDS is rare now and even if it is found, it is usually reversed, i.e. people take effective HIV treatments and their immune systems recover to the point they no longer have AIDS.

HIV Testing | Sexual Health Clinic Perth

How do I know if I have HIV?

An estimated 25 - 30,000 people in Australia are HIV positive. But around 11% of the people in Australia don’t know they have it. The only way to know for sure is to have a test. Knowing your HIV status puts you in control of your health. And it allows you to take steps to keep you and the people you have sex with healthy.

If you test positive, you can take medicine to stay healthy. The medication also greatly reduces the chance of transmitting HIV to your sex partners. If you test negative, there are effective prevention tools available, such as HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).

Mostly there aren’t any signs that someone is HIV positive. However, in the early stages of infection patients go through seroconversion, that is, the HIV becomes detectable in their blood. This can result in flu-like illness, swollen lymph glands, and sometimes a rash.

If people aren’t diagnosed and treated, they may later develop symptoms of a greatly reduced immune system or AIDS.

These can include:

weight loss
night sweats
fatigue
chronic diarrhoea
shortness of breath
skin changes
long-term swollen glands
and neurological changes

HIV | Sexual Health Clinic Perth

How can I get it?

The infection is acquired when HIV in an infected person's body fluids gets into your blood. These fluids include blood, semen, fluids from the vagina, or breast milk. That can happen through broken skin or the linings in your penis, anus, vagina, or mouth.

HIV Test Perth | Sexual Health Clinic Joondalup

Who should get tested?

You should consider an HIV test if :

you or your doctor are concerned that you may have symptoms of an HIV infection
you have recently been diagnosed with an STI, hepatitis B or hepatitis C
you or your partner have travelled to countries of high HIV prevalence and engaged in at-risk behaviours with local people
you or your partner come from a high HIV prevalence country and are unaware of your/ their HIV status since you/ they left that country
you received a blood transfusion or blood products before 1985
you have been in custodial care or incarcerated
you are pregnant, as part of antenatal screening
you ever tried injecting recreational drugs or steroids and may have shared needles or equipment in the past, even once

Routine screening is recommended for several at-risk groups. these include:

gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men
people who inject recreational drugs or steroids
people whose partners are HIV positive
people whose partners engage in higher-risk behaviours
sex workers

HIV Management Perth | Sexual Health Clinic Joondalup

Management of HIV infections

HIV is treated with medications called antiretrovirals, which lower the amount of virus in the blood to undetectable levels. This allows your immune system to recover or maintain itself in the case of early infection. Currently, treatment is lifelong. However, the prognosis for those treated with antiretrovirals is extremely good. In fact, your life expectancy is the same as someone without the virus.

If you have HIV, you need to see a doctor that specialises in HIV medicine. That’s because only doctors with special authority can prescribe antiretroviral medications. As sexual health specialists, the doctors at Sexual Health North can manage your HIV care.

HIV Prevention Perth | Sexual Health Clinic Joondalup

HIV prevention strategies

There are a number of prevention strategies that people at risk of acquiring HIV can take.

PrEP

One of the most beneficial is PrEP, HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. This is a medication for HIV-negative people to reduce their risk of acquiring the infection. Our STI clinic in the Perth suburb of Joondalup can prescribe PrEP. We help you understand how it works and provide you with the knowledge and support needed to stay well.

PEP

If you are exposed to HIV, Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) can reduce the risk of infection if started within 72 hours of exposure (The sooner it is started the more effective it is likely to be). Again, our STI specialist team can discuss PEP with you, but if our clinic is not open, you should contact the PEP line on 1300 767 161 for more advice.

Condoms

Condoms are highly effective in helping to reduce your risk of acquiring or passing on Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

U=U

For those who are HIV positive, U=U (Undetectable = Untransmissible) is a powerful way to protect your partner(s). U=U means you can’t pass on HIV if you are on regular treatment and the virus in your body is at sustained undetectable levels.

How can you help me with PrEP?

HIV Specialist Doctors Perth | Sexual Health Clinic Joondalup

Sexual health clinic Joondalup

If you are living with HIV or at risk of acquiring HIV, Sexual Health North can help you take the right steps to look after your health. We offer testing, treatment, prevention strategies and counselling for anyone with HIV or who is at risk.

We have many years of experience in the management of HIV. Our highly experienced specialists will ensure you receive the best care, irrespective of lifestyle, sexual preference, or gender identity.

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3/5 Regent's Park Road,
Joondalup 6027

08 6119 9140

Opening hours

Monday : 8.30 am - 1.00 pm
Tuesday : Closed
Wednesday : 9.00 am - 7.00 pm
Thursday : Closed
Friday : 9.00 am - 7.00 pm
Saturday : 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
Sunday : Closed