People living with HIV and HIV care

All people living with HIV should have access to a core set of health sector interventions to prevent opportunistic infections, maximize their health, prevent further HIV transmission and, in some cases, delay the progression of HIV disease.

Addressing the prevention needs of people living with HIV is a challenge for the health sector. Increasing access to HIV testing and counselling and antiretroviral therapy will increase the number of people living with HIV who can benefit from comprehensive HIV prevention, care, and treatment services in the health sector. However, people living with HIV may be lost to follow-up after diagnosis or may not access health services due to fear or stigma until they have advanced HIV disease. Expanding HIV prevention and long-term care for people living with HIV will require additional capacity in the health sector, stronger links with networks of people living with HIV and measures to address stigma and discrimination within health care settings.