Finding a doctor that you feel comfortable with and who you trust enough to share personal information with is the first, most important step you should take. You need to find a doctor that you can build a good relationship with so that you can feel free to discuss issues that are important to you (such as sexual behavior, birth control preferences, pregnancy concerns) without being judged in a negative way. The good news is that there are many caring and understanding doctors available to treat HIV-positive women.
If you don't know where to go or who to ask for advice on finding a doctor with lots of experience treating women with HIV, then try contacting your local AIDS service organization – they usually have a list of recommended doctors in your area. You can get the name and number of your local AIDS service organization by calling the CDC National AIDS Hotline at 1-800-342-AIDS. You might also want to try contacting Women Alive, the country's largest organization helping HIV-positive women. Their hotline number is 1-800-554-4876.
This lesson is generously sponsored by Gilead Sciences
Search for news stories about this topic
