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You may be concerned about your partner, a family member, friend or you may want help for yourself.
You may be reading this section because your partner, friend or family member has HIV. If you’ve just found out its normal to be feeling shocked, confused or worried.
In this section you will find lots of information about HIV, facts, where to get help, and keeping yourself safe.
HIV is no longer considered the terminal illness that it was in the 1980s. Major improvements in treatments means that in most cases HIV is now a manageable long-term condition and no longer a death sentence. If someone is diagnosed early and put on treatment it is likely they will enjoy a normal life expectancy.
Tips for responding: If someone close to you has just told you they have HIV, you may not know how to respond. Click here for tips.
Have an HIV test: If you’re unsure of your own HIV status and feel you may have been at risk you should get tested.
Know the facts about transmission, it’s the best way to keep yourself and others protected.
Services and support: Visit our Service Finder to connect to support groups, find where to get tested, and more.
When someone confides in you that they have HIV it’s a sign of trust. It is important to reassure your friend, partner or family member that you will not breach trust and respect their wishes.
Many people find that peer support with another positive person is a real help in coping with HIV.
The closer you are to someone with HIV, the more likely that you will want to know what you should do. Here are some of the ways in which you might know someone with HIV.