What happens when I visit the doctor?

Your doctor may spend most of the time talking to you about HIV and finding out how you feel.

Your doctor will ask you questions about your medical history and arrange for you to have a bunch of blood tests. These tests are really important because they tell the doctor how quickly HIV is reproducing (or getting worse) in your blood. They help you and your doctor decide if and when you should start taking medication.

Tips for when you visit your doctor:

• It’s a good idea to write down the questions you want to ask the doctor before visiting him/her because lots of times we forget what to ask when we finally talk to the doctor.
• Make sure you understand what your doctor has told you. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions! Also, there is no such thing as a dumb question when it comes to your health.
• Keep a journal of what your doctor tells you. This will help you remember what happened during your appointment.
• If you have a lot of things to talk about, ask for a longer appointment (say, 20 to 30 minutes), so you and your doctor don’t feel rushed.
• If you want a second opinion ask your doctor for a referral to an HIV specialist.  Specialists work with HIV on a daily basis, so they’re more up-to-date with new information.
• If your doctor makes you feel uncomfortable, you may want to find a new doctor.