HIV & AIDS treatment available today

Our board-certified doctors may be able to help provide HIV & AIDS treatment online. Speak to a doctor securely on your phone or computer to learn about getting a new prescription or refilling an existing prescription to treat HIV & AIDS today.*

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Start treatment early for better outcomes

Telehealth support for HIV care

*Prescriptions are provided at the doctor's discretion. Learn more about our controlled substances policy and how to save up to 80% with our prescription discount card. PlushCare doctors cannot treat all cases of HIV or AIDS. Our primary care physicians can conduct an initial evaluation of your symptoms but may need to refer you to a specialist or for in-person treatment. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Learn about HIV & AIDS

HIV is a virus that targets the cells that the immune system is composed of. The virus leaves a person to be more vulnerable to other potential illnesses and diseases, as the ability to fight them off has weakened. There are 3 stages of HIV: acute HIV infection, chronic HIV infection, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic and life-threatening condition caused by a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral infection. HIV attacks the immune system, damaging its ability to fight off otherwise common diseases and infections.

Though there is no cure for HIV, there are available treatments one can receive to slow down the development of the disease. If left untreated, however, it can develop into the third stage known as AIDS. CD4 cells are white blood cells that serve as the working force of your immune system. A healthy immune system is one that has CD4 counts between 500 and 1,600 cells/mm3. The CD4 cell count of an individual with AIDS is below 200 cells/mm3. The expected life expectancy of an untreated individual at that stage is 3 years.

HIV & AIDS causes

  • You can get HIV by having unprotected sex with someone infected. You can also get HIV by sharing needles or other drug injection equipment with someone who has HIV.

    You can't get HIV from casual contacts, such as hugging, shaking hands, or sharing dishes or utensils with someone who has HIV.

Symptoms of HIV & AIDS

The symptoms of HIV and AIDS can differ from person to person. Many people infected with HIV don't have any symptoms for years. Other people may have a flu-like illness within a few weeks after they're infected if they have a high viral load. This is called acute retroviral syndrome (ARS).

  • ARS symptoms can include:


    These symptoms can last for a few days to several weeks. After ARS, most people with HIV don't have any more symptoms for years. But the virus is still in their bodies and can be passed to others.

How to treat HIV & AIDS

There is no cure for HIV or AIDS, but there are treatments that can prolong your life and delay the onset of AIDS. The earlier you're diagnosed with HIV, the sooner you can start treatment, and the better your chances are of living a long and healthy life.

The main goals of HIV treatment are to:

  • Prevent HIV from multiplying and damaging the immune system

  • Reduce the symptoms of HIV and AIDS

  • Delay the onset of AIDS

  • Improve the quality of life for people living with HIV and AIDS


HIV treatment is usually a combination of drugs called antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART stops the virus from multiplying, lowering the virus load in your body. This can make you feel better and improve your immune system. It can also reduce your chances of passing HIV to someone else.

ART is not a cure for HIV, but it can keep you healthy for many years. If you start treatment early, you may never develop AIDS.

HIV & AIDS medications

There are many different medications used to treat HIV and AIDS. The type of medication you take depends on your stage of HIV infection, your overall health, any other medical conditions, and your preferences.

The most common types of medications used to treat HIV and AIDS are:

  • Antiretroviral therapy (ART)

  • Antiretroviral medication (ARVs)

    This includes PreP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis) drugs such as:

  • Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs)

  • Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)

  • Protease inhibitors (PIs)

  • Entry inhibitors

  • Fusion inhibitors

  • Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs)

  • CCR5 antagonists

  • Interferons

  • HIV vaccine

How to avoid HIV & AIDS

The best way to avoid HIV and AIDS is to abstain from sexual activity or to practice safe sex. Safe sex means using condoms every time you have sex. It also means using other barrier methods, such as dental dams, during oral sex.

When to see a doctor for HIV & AIDS

HIV and AIDS can be difficult to talk about. You may be worried about how people will react if they find out you have HIV or AIDS. But it’s important to remember that many people live with HIV and AIDS, and there is a lot of support available today.

If you think you might have HIV or AIDS, you must see a doctor as soon as possible. They can order and perform tests, such as an HIV antibody test, to determine if you have HIV and help you get any treatment you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How can I prevent HIV & AIDS?

    You may have heard of PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis), a daily pill taken by HIV-negative, at-risk persons to prevent HIV infection. PlushCare is the leading online supplier of PrEP. To determine whether PrEP is appropriate for you, speak with a physician today.

    The federal government has recently declared that most insurers must cover the expense of PrEP medication, clinical appointments, and lab testing. PlushCare can assist with PrEP financial assistance programs that reimburse most or even all PrEP prescription costs. We may also help you manage prior authorizations and other related paperwork if you have insurance.

  • Can you prevent HIV after exposure?

    If you think you've been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, PlushCare can provide an emergency PEP prescription. The HIV virus is targeted by PEP, which prevents it from spreading. 

    Every hour counts when it comes to time sensitivity. If you have recently been exposed and require a PEP prescription immediately, visit a PlushCare doctor.

  • What is HIV?

    The HIV virus is the cause of AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). It's transmitted via sexual contact or contaminated needles from an infected person. HIV is a virus that attacks and destroys your body's T cells, impairing their function. As HIV destroys and kills your T cells, you are more likely to contract additional infections and illnesses.

  • Who is at risk of contracting HIV?

    Anyone with sexual contact with an HIV-positive individual is at risk for the disease. However, certain behaviors put you at greater risk: men who have sex with males, any sort of anal sex, the use of IV drugs, you already have an STD, you have a partner with HIV, you have many partners, you've been sexually assaulted or engaged in other forms of sexual exploitation., or exchanged money or drugs for sex.

  • What is AIDS?

    AIDS is a terminal illness caused by an HIV virus infection that has progressed to the immune system. As a result, the immune system's ability to combat common illnesses and infections is disrupted by HIV.

  • What is the life expectancy of someone with AIDS?

    Without treatment, HIV can grow into AIDS in a decade, and someone who has never been diagnosed with it might live three years if they have untreated AIDS. If AIDS occurs, the immune system is damaged. This makes one susceptible to a variety of illnesses.

  • How many people have HIV?

    According to the CDC, one in eight Americans has been diagnosed with HIV. It is estimated that there are currently around 1.1 million people in the United States who are HIV-positive. However, one in five of those 1.1 million individuals do not know they have the virus. As a result, it's essential to understand how to avoid getting infected and what the signs of HIV look like.

  • What are symptoms of HIV?

    The majority of people who are exposed to HIV will experience symptoms that start a few weeks later. The signs include muscular aches, a sore throat, and a fever of at least 100.4 F. In addition, people occasionally develop painful ulcers in their mouth and genitals, along with nausea and diarrhea.

3 simple steps to get treated for HIV & AIDS today

Step 1: Book an appointment

Step 1

Book an HIV & AIDS treatment appointment.

Book a same day appointment from anywhere.

Step 2: Visit with a doctor on your smartphone

Step 2

Talk to your medical provider regarding your HIV symptoms.

Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.

Step 3: pick up at local pharmacy

Step 3

If prescribed, pick up prescription for HIV and AIDS treatment.

We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.

Related conditions to HIV & AIDS

There are several related conditions to HIV and AIDS. These conditions can make living with HIV or AIDS more difficult and can also be life-threatening. If you have any of these conditions, it’s important to see a doctor to get the treatment you need.

  • AIDS dementia complex

    Cancer

    Kidney disease

    Liver disease

    Pneumonia

    Tuberculosis

HIV & AIDS treatment pricing details

How pricing works

To request HIV & AIDS treatment and get a new prescription or refill on your prescription, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits.

Paying with insurance

Membership

$16.99/month

First month free

Visits

Copay

30 days of free membership

  • Same-day appointments 7 days a week

  • Unlimited messages with your Care Team

  • Prescription discount card to save up to 80%

  • Exclusive discounts on lab tests

  • Free memberships for your family

  • Cancel anytime

Visit price with insurance

Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!

  • We accept these insurance plans and many more:

    • Humana
    • Aetna
    • United Healthcare

Paying without insurance

Membership

$16.99/month

First month free

Visits

$129

30 days of free membership

  • Same-day appointments 7 days a week

  • Unlimited messages with your Care Team

  • Prescription discount card to save up to 80%

  • Exclusive discounts on lab tests

  • Free memberships for your family

  • Cancel anytime

Visit price without insurance

Initial visits are $129.

Book an appointment

If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund.

Sources:

PlushCare is dedicated to providing you with accurate and trustworthy health information.

PlushCare content is reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, nutritionists, and other healthcare professionals. Learn more about our editorial standards and meet the medical team. The PlushCare site or any linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.