We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Does an HIV Specialist Do?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 7,222
References
Share

A human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) specialist provides care to patients with HIV and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals can work as HIV specialists and in some cases may pursue certifications from professional organizations. These qualifications can be evidence of successful completion of a required number of hours as well as a commitment to excellence in care, and may be advantageous in employment applications and patient relations.

Patients diagnosed with HIV can often benefit from the attention of a specialist. HIV specialists constantly pursue continuing education to keep up with the latest developments in the field of HIV/AIDS treatment. Because they focus specifically on patients with these medical conditions, they also have substantial experience to apply to the treatment of both HIV and the complications associated with it. Seeing an HIV specialist may allow a patient to identify complications earlier and receive more aggressive treatment with the latest drug protocols.

In an initial client intake meeting, an HIV specialist can take a patient history and may request some baseline medical testing. One important test is a T cell count to determine the severity of the patient's illness. With this information in hand, the HIV specialist can work with the patient to develop a treatment plan and to provide advice on adhering to treatment, if the patient has difficulty taking medications, making lifestyle changes, and taking other steps to stay as healthy as possible.

Some HIV specialists also connect their clients with useful social services. Patients who cannot afford medication may be eligible for assistance, for instance. Housing vouchers, educational programs, and other benefits may be available for struggling HIV patients. The HIV specialist may have concerns about the patient's quality of life, which can have a direct impact on health, and could work with the patient to resolve issues like untreated mental illness or homelessness.

Working directly with patients may comprise the bulk of a specialist's practice. Others also participate in public outreach and education. They provide information about HIV prevention and may participate in free clinics and other public resources to educate members of the public and help people detect HIV infections early. An HIV specialist can participate in prophylactic treatment for people known to be exposed to HIV. In this treatment, the patient receives a series of medications in an attempt to kill the virus before it starts replicating and creates a full-blown infection.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By marylamb — On Apr 18, 2020

HOW TO CURE HIV WITH ROOTS AND HERBS.

It’s obvious some patient with HERPES/HIV/CANCER are been enslaved to the antiviral and other supplementary Orthodox medicine just to help suppress the virus and not a cure. I have been with HIV since 2012 until I was introduce by a blogger who also narrated her story online on how she was cured of HIV after using Dr Disu herbal Medicine.

This is a year and 2 weeks since I was delivered from HIV. 

All thanks to God for using this Great herbalist to heal me. I have promise to keep telling good about Dr Disu Please fill free to share Your problems with him and don’t forget to tell him I did refer you to Him. Thanks.

Write him on WhatsApp him on +2348167485904.

He deals with Alzheimer virus, Cancer, Herpes Genital, warts, ALS, BV, UTI, Virginal infection, Genital Wart, HPV, Hepatitis, HSV Pregnancy, Get your Ex back.

Good luck. 

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-does-an-hiv-specialist-do.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.