Living with HIV

How can SASH support you?

Whether you have recently been diagnosed, or have been living with HIV for a while, our aim here at SASH is to help you deal with the diagnosis, support you with your mental health, and support you with your future.

Support from SASH

We are here to support you with your diagnosis however we can. Whether you are living with HIV or affected by a partner with HIV, we work with all issues relating to HIV sexual health and wellbeing across our different services, and are here to answer your questions.

We cover all topics including: 

• Understanding and being comfortable with your diagnosis 
• Family relationships 
• Partner relationships 
• Starting a family 
• Telling people about your HIV status 
• Faith, culture, and community 
• Exercise and healthy eating 
• Meeting other people with HIV 

We offer a range of free services to support you, including complimentary therapies such as acupuncture, shiatsu and reflexology during your time with SASH.

We understand you might have questions about your diagnosis, and we're here to answer any concern or worry you might have.

• Is HIV curable?
• How is HIV treated?
• My partner is living with HIV, are we able to have sex?
• Is HIV fatal?
• Where can I access clinical information about HIV?

Is HIV curable?

Currently HIV has no cure.

However, thanks to improvements in the effectiveness of treatment with HIV medicine, HIV can have little impact on a person's life when the virus is managed correctly with treatment, meaning people living with HIV can live long and healthy lives.

How is HIV treated?

HIV is treated with HIV medicine (called antiretroviral therapy or ART), and people with HIV who are diagnosed early, access ART and stay on it can keep the virus suppressed and live long and healthy lives.

ART aims to keep the levels of HIV in your blood (the viral load) as close to zero as possible. When a person living with HIV achieves and maintains an undetectable viral load through ART, the virus cannot be passed on. This is called U=U, which stands for Undetectable = Untransmittable.

The treatment comes in two forms, pills and injections, however pills are recommended for those just starting HIV treatment as there are many FDA-approved single pill and combination medicines available. HIV treatment injections are long-acting medication given once a month or once every other month, depending on your treatment plan.

People on effective HIV medication cannot pass on the virus to their partners.

My partner is living with HIV, are we able to have sex?

If someone living with HIV has an undetectable viral load through HIV treatment, they cannot pass HIV on.

For situations where an undetectable viral load isn't the case, there are medications that can be taken to stop the transmission of HIV to someone not living with HIV called PrEP and PEP.

Using barrier method contraception such as condoms during sexual activity can also prevent HIV transmission. It's important to know that only barrier method contraception can protect against the transmission STIs, and that HIV treatment and preventative medication doesn't prevent STI passing from person to person.

Is HIV fatal?

HIV, if managed with medication, is not fatal. The virus attacks the body's immune system, specifically the T cell lymphocytes or CD4 cells, and if left untreated, will progress to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). This increases your body's susceptibility to infections which can be fatal, which is why it is important to test regularly for HIV and STIs to get an early diagnosis and start treatment as soon as possible. 

Where can I access clinical information about HIV?

For further clinical information around living with HIV, you can visit your local sexual health clinic, speak with your healthcare professional, or explore our Support outside of SASH page.

SASH offers all of our services free in a safe and confidential space, without judgement, and can support you if you or your partner are living with HIV.