You and Your Doctor are a Team

Together you will make important choices about your treatment. As a patient, it is your right and your responsibility to take an active role in the decisions that will affect your life. After all, you are the one living with HIV. Keeping a healthcare journal is also a valuable tool that will help you and your doctor manage your HIV.

Ask Questions

To prepare for your visits to the doctor, make a list of questions/concerns to bring with you. Take notes during your visit and/or bring a friend or family member to help you make sense of it all.

And remember, there is no such thing as a wrong question. Feel free to ask your doctor anything. They are used to hearing anything and everything from their patients, including questions regarding alcohol and drug use, financial worries and relationship problems. All of these can affect the state of your health. It’s better to ask.

The more you know, the better able you are to manage your HIV.

Keep your follow-up appointments

Staying healthy requires staying on your meds and continuing to see your doctor for check-ups and test results. It is the only way for you and your doctor to find the treatment that is right for you.