HIV Treatment & Care
As an AAHIVM-certified practice, Spectrum Medical offers state-of-the-art treatment for HIV patients. We actively participate in HIV treatment research and provide treatment options for each patient’s unique needs to achieve unmatched results.
Personalized Treatment and Support
Spectrum Medical provides comprehensive HIV care that goes beyond medication. Our services include testing, personalized treatment and support, as well as preventive care for patients and their partners.
What Is HIV?
HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a viral infection that attacks the immune system, weakening its ability to fight infections and diseases. It is most commonly spread through unprotected sex and sharing needles. Regular testing for HIV is crucial for early detection, especially since some people may not know they’re infected.
Common Early Symptoms of HIV
Within two to four weeks of HIV infection, you may experience flu-like symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Chills
- Rash
- Night sweats
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Mouth ulcers
Treatment Designed For You
Early detection is essential. While we cannot cure HIV, we can manage it effectively. Treatment focuses on daily antiretroviral therapy (ART), a combination of HIV medicines known as an HIV regimen. This personalized treatment aims to achieve several important goals:
- Manage the Infection
- ART helps suppress the HIV virus to undetectable levels, preventing it from advancing to AIDS.
- Symptom Management
- Manage HIV-related symptoms, promoting a better quality of life.
- Prevent Transmission
- While ART cannot cure HIV, it significantly improves the prognosis for individuals with HIV and helps reduce the likelihood of spreading HIV to others.
Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U)
Throughout your treatment, we regularly conduct blood tests and medical examinations to ensure that your medication effectively controls your viral load (the amount of HIV in your blood). Achieving and maintaining an undetectable viral load is not only a significant milestone in HIV treatment but also a cause for celebration. This milestone, known as U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable), means that people who reach and sustain an undetectable viral load cannot sexually transmit HIV to others.
Your partner in health
Whether it’s through testing or specialized care, Spectrum Medical is here to support YOU. Through our community outreach program, we offer HIV and STI testing, same-day access to PrEP, PEP and DoxyPEP, and sexual health education throughout Arizona, as well as testing after business hours with our Testing After Dark program.