Review Material Retention Brochure Patient

15.RetentionPatientAid_v12 12-5-13

LET’S TALK about

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Keeping All

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YOUR MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS

Your health depends on
regular, ongoing care
HIV infection lasts a lifetime. So controlling HIV
means making a lifetime commitment to your health.
That means taking your HIV medicines every day,
practicing safe sex, and having regular checkups
with your medical provider.
And this has been proven to work.
In fact, large studies
of Americans with HIV
infection show that
those who are seen by
medical providers on a
regular basis live longer
than those who don’t.

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Compared with those who miss their
appointments, people living with HIV
who are in regular care have:
• Better success with their
HIV medicines
• Fewer hospitalizations
• Longer lives

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What regular, ongoing care
does for you
When you first start HIV treatment, you will
want to make sure that the medicines are working
to reduce your HIV infection. Your medical provider
will arrange for a blood test to check your viral
load and CD4 cell count. If your viral load has
gone down and your CD4 cell count has gone up,
you will know that the medicines are working.
Your medical provider can also help you with any
issues you may be having, such as side effects or
remembering to take your medicines. He or she
may also refer you to other medical providers for
help if you have other health concerns.
When your virus is more under control, your
medical provider will work with you to keep it
controlled. Having a trusted professional in your
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corner to advise you whenever questions or
issues arise will help you stay strong, both
mentally and physically.

Regular, ongoing care includes:
• Blood tests to check your viral
load and CD4 cell count
• Physical exams to check your
overall health
• Prescriptions for HIV medicines
(or changes to prescriptions
when needed)
• Discussions with your medical
provider that keep you healthy

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The HIV treatment team
includes YOU
You and your HIV medical providers form an
important team—one that keeps you healthy by
keeping your HIV under control.
Your role on this team is very important. You
need to be sure to come to all of your scheduled
medical appointments. You also need to answer
questions openly and honestly so that your
medical providers can do their part. And you get
to ask all the questions you want to ask.
Remember, there are no wrong questions:
everything important to you is going to be
important to your medical provider.

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Let’s be honest…
When your medical provider asks:
“Is it hard for you to come to all of
your medical appointments?”
he or she is not trying to judge you.
Instead, your provider wants to
help you stay healthy. By answering
honestly, you and your provider can
work together to make a good plan
for you.

Being truthful
benefits your health

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Tips to help you stick with
regular, ongoing care
(Check off the ones that sound good to you)
Remember your appointments…

o Use a calendar to mark off appointment days.
o If you use the internet, download one of the free

apps for computers and smart phones that can
help remind you about your medical appointments.
SEARCH FOR “calendar reminder app.”

o Set up a reminder alarm on your phone.
o Keep your appointment card on a mirror, on your

refrigerator, or anywhere else you will see it often.

o Ask a family member or friend to help you
remember.

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Remember your questions…

o Use this booklet (or a notebook) to write down

questions as you think of them. Feel free to ask all the
questions on your list at your next appointment.

Remember to keep in touch…

o Make sure your medical providers have your correct

contact information (telephone number, address,
e-mail) and let them know if any contact information
changes.

o If something comes up and you can’t keep a

scheduled appointment, contact the clinic to let
them know, and make a new appointment as soon
as possible.

Remember: Getting into regular, ongoing care will
help you live a strong and healthy life with HIV.
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My Questions

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My Notes

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Resources
For general information on regular, ongoing care:

Contact CDC-INFO online at http:www.cdc.gov/cdc-info/
or call 800-CDC-INFO (232-4636) (TTY: 888-232-6348)
Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 8:00 pm ET

Your call is free and private.
To find specific services in your area:

Go to: http://locator.aids.gov/
You can find everything from test centers to housing assistance in
your area by simply entering your zip code.
For help with paying for medical appointments:

For Medicaid, check your State Health Department.
To find a nearby Ryan White Program, go to
http://findhivcare.hrsa.gov/Search_HAB.aspx, use the AIDS
locator above, or call (877) 464-4772, Monday through Friday
(except Federal holidays), 9 am to 5:30 pm ET.
To connect with other persons living with HIV

Visit our new website, complete with information designed to keep
you healthy and safe for as along as you live. Available at (URL TK).

You can also find lots more information about HIV at
www.cdc.gov/actagainstaids

Protect Yourself. Protect Others.