If you are living with HIV it is important for you to have a health care provider. There are a number of things you will want to think about when choosing your provider: how knowledgeable they are about HIV, whether or not they accept your health insurance, are they someone that you can talk to about your health concerns, etc. Our case managers can help you to think about what matters most to you in choosing a health care provider, and refer you to the local providers who specialize in HIV. You can also find HIV providers close to you here.

We can provide case management services to you no matter who you choose as your health care provider.

We have an agreement with the Center for Public Health (CPH, a Ryan White funded clinic) at the Reading Health System that allows our case managers to work as part of your care team if you are a patient of CPH. This makes it easier for you to get all of the services that you may need to live well with HIV.

Email us to learn more: ccws1@cocountywellnessservices.org

If you are living with HIV, it is important to take your medications exactly as the doctor tells you to (this is known as “adherence”).

Taking medicines exactly as you are told, 100% of the time, is hard for most people. For people who are living with HIV it can be even harder because of things like the number of pills they have to take for HIV and other health conditions, the side effects of the medicine, or the fear of other people knowing that they are taking medicine for HIV.

But, missing doses of your HIV medicine can give the virus a chance to change itself (mutate) in a way that the medicine will not work as well. If this happens, your doctor will have to change your medicine. If this happens a lot, there could come a time when none of the HIV medicines will work for you.

Our nurses are AIDS Certified Registered Nurses (ACRNs). This means they have had special training about HIV and HIV medicines. They can work with you to help you understand how HIV medicines work and the choices you have about HIV medicines. They can also help you make your own plan to be successful in taking every dose of  your medicine every day.

Individual HIV Navigation Services (HNS) are designed for people 16 and older who are HIV positive or at a high risk of contracting it due to their behaviors.

• Help to achieve life goals
• Increase healthy thoughts, feelings and actions
• Develop daily routines to help stay healthy
• Increase emotional awareness, problem solving skills, assertive behavior and communication skills

The basic tenets of this program are to maintain health, reduce transmission of HIV, and to improve quality of life.

Goal setting is an integral part of this, with clear thinking techniques (thinking differently, seeing situations in a new light), relaxation, SMART problem solving (step by step thought process with actions considered before end result) and communication.

The core is 5 one-hour sessions with a trained counselor to motivate long term behavior change by developing the client’s abilities to manage stress and deal with it in a healthier way. There are additional sessions that can be added after the completion of the initial 5 sessions.

This work is done in a non-judgmental, conversational, friendly one on one atmosphere. There is weekly goal setting which leads to fulfillment of life goals (what they hope to be- at their very best). Positive self-talk, arguing against negative thoughts, managing emotional discomfort and unhealthy thoughts are just some of the topics covered.

Since this is entirely client-centered each session is meant to engage the whole person and to fit the individual.

If you are living with HIV it is important for you to have a health care provider. There are a number of things you will want to think about when choosing your provider: how knowledgeable they are about HIV, whether or not they accept your health insurance, are they someone that you can talk to about your health concerns, etc. Our case managers can help you to think about what matters most to you in choosing a health care provider, and refer you to the local providers who specialize in HIV. You can also find HIV providers close to you here.

We can provide case management services to you no matter who you choose as your health care provider.

We have an agreement with the Center for Public Health (CPH, a Ryan White funded clinic) at the Reading Health System that allows our case managers to work as part of your care team if you are a patient of CPH. This makes it easier for you to get all of the services that you may need to live well with HIV.

Email us to learn more: ccws1@cocountywellnessservices.org

What is HIV? “HIV” stands for “Human Immunodeficiency Virus.” It is a virus that weakens the human immune system. When the immune system is weakened, it is hard for a person to fight off infections. Untreated, HIV leads to AIDS.

How is HIV spread? HIV can be spread by HIV infected blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or breast milk. Today, in the United States, HIV is usually spread through: unprotected sex (oral, anal, vaginal) and/or the sharing of drug injection equipment (needles, syringes, cookers, cotton, tourniquets).

What are the symptoms of HIV infection? Most people get flu-like symptoms in the first two weeks after they are infected with HIV. But, most people do not think of these symptoms as a sign of HIV infection. Instead, they just think they have the flu.

After the first two weeks, the flu-like symptoms go away and most people don’t have any other symptoms for 10 or more years. This is why a lot of people do not know they are infected with HIV.

When people do not know they are infected with HIV, they can also spread HIV without knowing it. That is why it is important for everyone who may be at risk for HIV to be tested for HIV.

How will I know if I am infected with HIV? The only way to know for sure if you are infected with HIV is to be tested.

Who should be tested for HIV? Everyone who has had unprotected sex (anal, vaginal or oral) or shared any drug injection equipment (needles, syringes, cotton, cookers, tourniquets, etc.) should think about being tested for HIV.

If you are not sure if you should be tested for HIV, you can take an anonymous online assessment to help you decide: Find out if you are at risk.

Where can I be tested for HIV?  You can come to Co-County Wellness Services, or find free HIV testing options near you. You can also talk to your medical provider about being tested for HIV.

How reliable is the HIV test? The HIV test is more than 99% accurate.

How can I prevent HIV infections? 

• Abstinence – choosing to not have sex and not to use drugs/alcohol – is the only 100% effective way to prevent HIV infection.
• Mutual monogamy – having only one sex partner, who is not infected, and who is only having sex with you – is the next best method of preventing the HIV infection through sex.
• Not sharing drug injection equipment is the next best method of preventing HIV infection through injection drugs.

If these choices are not realistic for you, you may want to talk with one of our Prevention Specialists about things you can do to lower your risk for HIV infection.