Common Questions
80 answers to the most-asked HIV questions
Plain-language answers on prevention, testing, treatment, transmission, living with HIV, support services, Florida resources, and legal questions — every answer written for people living with HIV and the people who love them, and sourced from CDC, NIH, HRSA, HIV.gov, and other primary sources.
Does PrEP have side effects?
Most PrEP side effects are mild and short-lived — nausea, headache, fatigue in the first weeks. Truvada needs kidney monitoring; Apretude causes injection-site…
Is undetectable really untransmittable?
Yes. Across HPTN 052, PARTNER, PARTNER2 and Opposites Attract — over 125,000 condomless sex acts — there were zero linked HIV transmissions from suppressed…
What are my HIV risk factors?
HIV risk comes from situations, not identities. What actually raises risk, CDC's per-exposure numbers, and the prevention tool that fits each situation.
What are my PrEP options in 2026?
Four FDA-approved PrEP options: daily Truvada or Descovy pills, Apretude every two months, and Yeztugo (lenacapavir) twice yearly. Who each one is for.
What is PEP and when do I need it?
PEP is emergency HIV medication started within 72 hours of a possible exposure and taken daily for 28 days. Get it from an ER, urgent care, or sexual health…
What is U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable)?
U=U means a person with a sustained undetectable HIV viral load will not transmit HIV through sex. Clinically, suppression means under 200 copies per…
Where can I get PEP?
PEP must start within 72 hours of a possible HIV exposure. Go to an emergency room, urgent care, or your county health department now and ask for PEP.
Where can I get PrEP?
Any provider licensed to prescribe can start you on PrEP. Find one at preplocator.org or locator.hiv.gov, and expect to pay $0 under almost all insurance plans.
Who is at risk for HIV?
HIV risk comes from factors and conditions, not identities. CDC's risk factors, the social forces behind them, and what surveillance data can't tell…
How accurate are home HIV tests?
FDA puts OraQuick In-Home HIV Test sensitivity near 92% — about one false negative per 12 results. Mail-in lab tests are more sensitive. Florida mails kits…
How long does HIV take to show up on a test?
HIV window periods: NAT detects at 10-33 days, lab antigen/antibody at 18-45 days, rapid fingerstick at 18-90 days, antibody and self-tests at 23-90 days.
How often should I get tested for HIV?
CDC: everyone 13 to 64 should test at least once, yearly with certain risk factors, every 3 to 6 months for some. PrEP and pregnancy have their own cadence.
What are the first signs of HIV?
The first signs of HIV are usually flu-like symptoms 2 to 4 weeks after exposure — fever, rash, sore throat, swollen glands. Only a test can confirm HIV.
What are the symptoms of HIV?
HIV symptoms in three stages: acute HIV symptoms 2–4 weeks after exposure, a long asymptomatic phase that can last a decade, and late-stage signs. Testing is…
What does a positive HIV test mean?
A positive HIV test means HIV was detected and needs one confirmatory test. Treatment can start the same day, and Florida aims for ART within 24 hours.
Where can I get free HIV testing?
Search gettested.cdc.gov for free HIV testing, or order free self-tests by mail. Health departments and community health centers are the surest options.
Where can I get tested for HIV?
Go to gettested.cdc.gov to find HIV testing near you: clinics, health departments, community health centers, mobile units, or a self-test you use at home.
Can I drink alcohol while on HIV medication?
NIH guidelines state alcohol use is not a contraindication to HIV treatment. The real risks are missed doses and liver health — here is what to know and ask.
Can I take a GLP-1 if I have HIV?
Generally yes. GLP-1s are cleared by peptidases, not CYP450, so no interaction is expected with modern ART. Plus the evidence in PLHIV and the access picture.
How long does it take to become undetectable on ART?
Most people reach an undetectable HIV viral load within six months of starting treatment, and many get there in the first one to three months on modern…
Is there a cure for HIV in 2026?
No broadly available HIV cure exists in 2026. Seven people have been cured via stem-cell transplants for cancer. Here is what is real in cure research.
Is there a once-a-day pill for HIV?
Yes. HHS/NIH guidelines updated May 27, 2026 rate Biktarvy and Dovato as first-line single tablets, and Idvynso joined the list in April 2026.
What are the long-acting injectable HIV treatments?
Cabenuva is the one complete injectable HIV treatment — monthly or every 2 months. Sunlenca is twice-yearly for multidrug-resistant HIV. Both are on Florida…
What is HIV and hepatitis C co-infection?
About 21% of people with HIV in the U.S. also have hepatitis C. Coinfection speeds liver damage — but hepatitis C is curable in 8–12 weeks with oral…
What should I do if I missed a dose of my HIV medication?
Take it as soon as you remember — unless your next dose is close, then skip it. Never double up. Regimen-specific NIH guidance, plus when to call your team.
Can HIV be transmitted through kissing?
No. HIV is not transmitted through saliva or closed-mouth kissing. CDC has documented no cases from kissing alone — the question itself is rooted in stigma.
Can HIV live outside the body?
HIV does not survive long outside the human body and cannot reproduce outside a human host. No one has ever been documented to acquire HIV from a surface.
Can I get HIV from a tattoo or piercing?
CDC has never documented a case of HIV transmission from a tattoo or body piercing in the United States, though it is possible if needles or ink carry blood.
Can I get HIV from oral sex?
CDC says there is little to no risk of getting HIV from oral sex, and researchers have never put a precise number on it. Here's what the evidence shows.
Can I get HIV from sharing needles?
Yes. CDC estimates 63 HIV transmissions per 10,000 needle-sharing exposures. Here's what lowers that risk — new equipment, syringe services, PrEP — and…
Can you get HIV from a mosquito or insect bite?
No. CDC states HIV is not transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, or other insects. HIV cannot reproduce inside an insect, so a mosquito never becomes a carrier.
How is HIV transmitted?
HIV passes through four documented routes — sex, shared injection equipment, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and blood. Here are the numbers, the myths, and U=U.
Can I breastfeed if I have HIV?
U.S. guidance changed January 31, 2023: parents on ART with a sustained undetectable viral load who want to breastfeed should be supported. The evidence…
Can I still have children if I have HIV?
Yes. With modern ART, transmission to a baby can be under 1%. Preconception planning, conception across different HIV status, delivery, and Florida's…
Can I travel internationally with HIV?
Yes — most countries have no HIV-related entry rules, though about 50 still test or restrict. How to check your destination and pack your medicine safely.
Can someone living with HIV have HIV-negative children?
Yes. With antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy and infant care, perinatal HIV transmission in the US and Europe has fallen to 1% or less.
Does HIV affect life expectancy in 2026?
Far less than it once did. With early diagnosis and steady treatment, life expectancy now approaches that of people without HIV. What the research shows.
How long can you live with HIV without treatment?
Without treatment, HIV usually takes a decade or longer to reach stage 3 (AIDS), and survival after that is about three years. On treatment, life expectancy is…
How many people are living with HIV in California?
143,254 people were living with diagnosed HIV in California at the end of 2023, a rate of 355.0 per 100,000, plus 4,948 new diagnoses statewide that year.
How many people are living with HIV in New York?
105,447 New Yorkers were living with diagnosed HIV in December 2023, and the state estimates 112,300 people living with HIV counting undiagnosed cases.
How many people are living with HIV in Texas?
Texas DSHS reports 108,486 Texans living with HIV in 2022, up 12% in five years, while CDC counts 105,388 people with diagnosed HIV as of December 2023.
How many people are living with HIV in the United States?
About 1.2 million people aged 13 and older live with HIV in the U.S., and roughly 13% do not know it yet. CDC counts 1,158,701 people with diagnosed HIV.
Is HIV still a death sentence?
No. A 40-year-old starting treatment today can expect roughly 37 to 39 more years of life. Where the fear came from, what changed, and what still hasn't.
What foods should I avoid with HIV?
There is no special HIV diet. NIH says healthy eating is the same for everyone — the real cautions are food safety and timing supplements around your medicine.
What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?
HIV is the virus; AIDS is a late stage — CD4 under 200 or an AIDS-defining illness. How CDC staging works, and why most people on treatment never reach it.
What is the history of the AIDS epidemic in America?
From the June 5, 1981 CDC report to today's long-acting injectables — 45 years of the American AIDS epidemic, activism, and treatment.
What is World AIDS Day?
World AIDS Day is observed every December 1 — the first global health day, launched in 1988 by WHO officers to raise HIV awareness and remember the lost.
When was HIV discovered?
HIV was identified in stages: the epidemic first reported June 5, 1981; the virus isolated at Institut Pasteur in 1983; officially named HIV on May 1, 1986.
Can immigrants get free HIV medications?
Yes. Ryan White and ADAP ask for an HIV diagnosis, low income, and local residency — not citizenship. Here is how to get free HIV medication now.
How do I find a case manager for HIV care?
You do not hire a case manager — you enroll at a Ryan White-funded program and get one. Four doors in, what they do, and what to bring to your first visit.
How do I find a Ryan White provider?
Search HRSA's Ryan White provider tool by city, state, or ZIP code. Who qualifies, what a case manager does for you, and Florida's 14 Part B lead…
How do I find a therapist who understands HIV?
You should not have to explain HIV from scratch every week. Use HIV/AIDS-filtered directories, Ryan White mental health coverage, and sliding-scale networks.
How do I find an ADAP clinic?
ADAP is run state by state, so there is no national ADAP clinic. Look up your state at adap.directory, check the formulary, then book an eligibility…
How do I find an HIV clinic near me?
Three free federal locators find HIV care by ZIP code: HIV.gov's care locator, HRSA's health center finder, and the Ryan White provider tool. Plus…
How do I find HIV support groups near me?
Three ways to find HIV support: search support services by ZIP, ask your Ryan White case manager, or join a moderated online community. Plus a 24/7 helpline.
How do I get help paying for HIV medication?
Work the doors in order: insurance, then your state ADAP, then the maker's free-drug program, then an open co-pay foundation. Florida ADAP is back at 400%…
How do I get HIV care without insurance?
Uninsured is not untreated. Ryan White clinics, ADAP, sliding-scale health centers, and free manufacturer medication — plus what Florida covers right now.
I just tested positive for HIV — what do I do?
A calm, ordered plan for the first 24 hours, 7 days, and 30 days after an HIV diagnosis — confirmatory testing, starting treatment, and Florida assistance.
What is Ryan White, and am I eligible?
Ryan White is the federal safety net built for people with HIV. Only three eligibility factors: HIV diagnosis, low income, and residency. Citizenship is not…
What transgender HIV services exist nationwide?
Free mailed HIV self-tests, trans peer support at 877-565-8860, and Ryan White HIV care where gender identity is not an eligibility factor. Here is the network.
How do I apply for Florida ADAP?
Florida ADAP restored 400% FPL eligibility July 1, 2026. Call the ADAP Help Desk at 844-381-2327, then apply through your county health department or lead…
How do I find LGBTQ+ friendly HIV care in Florida?
Two directories plus affirming Florida providers: SPEKTRUM, Metro Healthy Communities, Pridelines, Compass, CAN Community Health, SunServe, and Care Resource.
How do I get free HIV testing in Miami-Dade?
Free HIV testing in Miami-Dade: the county health department, community clinics, mobile units, and free mailed home kits. No insurance needed. Call…
How many people are living with HIV in Florida?
Some 128,497 people were living with diagnosed HIV in Florida at year-end 2023, a rate of 566.4 per 100,000, with 4,725 new diagnoses statewide that year.
How much does PrEP cost in Florida without insurance?
Without insurance, PrEP in Florida can cost $0 through manufacturer patient assistance, county health department programs, and copay foundations. Here is how.
What are the latest HIV statistics in Florida?
Florida's newest statewide data: 128,497 people living with HIV at end of 2023, 4,725 new diagnoses that year, 70% virally suppressed, seven priority…
What HIV services are available for women in Florida?
Florida has six Ryan White Part D sites for women, infants, children, and youth, plus TOPWA outreach in eight counties and a right to refuse prenatal testing.
What is the Florida HIV hotline, and what other resources are there?
The Florida HIV/AIDS Hotline is 1-800-352-2437, with Spanish, Haitian Creole, and TTY lines. Plus the ADAP Help Desk, national helplines, and legal help.
What is TOPWA in Florida?
TOPWA is Florida's Targeted Outreach for Pregnant Women program — peer outreach in eight counties, written into law at Fla. Stat. 381.0045. Call…
What transgender HIV services exist in Florida?
SPEKTRUM, SunServe, Pridelines, Compass, and Metro serve trans Floridians. HIV care is a separate legal track from Florida's gender-affirming care rules.
Where are Florida Ryan White clinics?
Florida's Ryan White Part B program runs through 14 consortia lead agencies covering all 67 counties. Find your area, the agency, address, and phone…
Where can I find a syringe services program in Florida?
Florida's syringe services programs, county by county: Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, Orange, Broward, Palm Beach. Free, anonymous, one-for-one exchange plus…
Where can I get an HIV test in Florida?
Florida has 1,600+ publicly funded HIV testing sites and county health departments in all 67 counties. Find yours, or order the state's free at-home…
Where can I get PrEP in Florida?
Get PrEP in Florida at a county health department, community health center, or by telehealth. With insurance it should be $0. Free 90-day starter supplies…
Do I have to disclose my HIV status to a partner?
No single national rule. Some states have no HIV disclosure law; others make non-disclosure a felony even when HIV cannot be transmitted. Not legal advice.
How do I find legal help for HIV discrimination?
HIV is a protected disability under federal law. Document everything, watch the filing deadlines, and use these federal intake lines and free legal aid routes.
Is HIV a crime in Florida?
Florida keeps several HIV-specific criminal provisions, and none require intent or transmission. What each statute says, plus the enforcement record.
Is HIV a felony in my state?
Five states have fully repealed their HIV-specific criminal laws; 32 states still criminalize. How to check your own state, and where Florida stands in 2026.
What are HIV criminalization laws?
HIV criminalization laws punish people for knowing their HIV status. 32 states still had them at the end of 2025, and most require no intent and no…
What is HIV modernization?
HIV modernization is the movement to rewrite HIV criminal laws to match the science. Here is the verified reform timeline, who leads it, and where Florida…
Answers reviewed against CDC, NIH, HRSA, HIV.gov, and other primary sources. Have a question you don't see here? Reach out via the contact form.