Living with HIV

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is a virus that weakens the immune system over time by attacking certain cells that help the body fight infections. With treatment, people with HIV can stay healthy and live full lives. Learn more about HIV in our article, HIV: The Basics.

HIV spreads through certain body fluids like blood, semen and vaginal fluids. This most commonly happens during condomless sex or when sharing needles or injection equipment. Learn more in our article, HIV: The Basics.

Some people feel sick soon after getting HIV, while others don’t have symptoms for years. The only way to know for sure if you have HIV is to get tested. Learn more about HIV in our article, HIV: The Basics.

AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is the most advanced stage of HIV. It happens when the immune system is badly damaged and can no longer fight off infections the way it should. But with treatment, most people with HIV never reach this stage. Learn more in our article, HIV: The Basics.

Taking your HIV meds as prescribed by your doctor reduces your viral load (amount of HIV in the blood) and helps keep it low. It can also help you achieve viral load suppression, which means having fewer than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood. HIV meds can lower your viral load to a point where it becomes undetectable by a lab test. This is referred to as an undetectable viral load. With an undetectable viral load, HIV cannot be transmitted through sex, and it also prevents perinatal transmission and reduces the risk of transmission through breastfeeding. This is known as undetectable=untransmittable (U=U). Taking your HIV meds as prescribed helps prevent drug resistance, which can limit your treatment options and spread drug-resistant HIV strains to others. Learn more in our article, HIV: The Basics.

HIV is treated with medication called antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART keeps the virus under control and helps the immune system stay strong. It comes as a daily pill or injections that you get monthly or every other month. Learn more in our article, HIV: The Basics.

Viral load means how much HIV is in the blood of a person living with HIV. When the virus makes more copies of itself, the viral load goes up. A higher viral load can lower your CD4 count, which makes it easier to get sick. Learn more in our article, HIV: The Basics.

CD4 cells, also called helper T cells, are white blood cells that help your body fight infections. A CD4 count is a blood test that shows how many of these cells are in your blood. It helps check how healthy your immune system is if you’re living with HIV. For people without HIV, the normal range is about 500–1,500. With treatment, the goal is to keep the CD4 count as high as possible. A CD4 count below 200 means an AIDS diagnosis and a higher risk of serious infections. Learn more in our article, HIV: The Basics.

Undetectable equals untransmittable. This means that a person who achieves and maintains an undetectable viral load cannot sexually transmit HIV to others. Other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can still be transmitted, however, so safer sex practices are recommended to prevent other STI transmission. Learn more in our article, U=U.

There’s no cure yet, but treatment works. HIV medications help people live long, healthy lives—and stop the virus from spreading to others.

Your HIV status is confidential health information, so you don’t have to share with everyone—like employers, landlords or casual acquaintances. Telling intimate partners or people you have used drugs with that you’re living with HIV gives them the chance to get tested and start treatment if needed. If you’d prefer to notify partners anonymously, Caracole staff can connect you to confidential options.

In many states, including Ohio, the law requires you to tell these partners—even if you’re using protection or your HIV is undetectable (U=U). Not sharing your status could lead to criminal charges. We understand that can feel overwhelming. Caracole staff are here to help you make informed decisions: We can:

• Provide guidance on when and how to share your status
• Answer questions and support in addressing stigma
• Provide a safe, supportive space to talk with loved ones

You’re not alone. Our team offers support and education to help you feel more confident having those conversations with your partner.

It’s smart to keep proof that you told your partner about your HIV status. Some ways to do that include:

• Take a screenshot of a text where they say they know your status
• Ask them to sign and date a note confirming you disclosed—then take a photo
• Record a video or audio of the conversation
• Have someone you trust present as a witness

Protecting yourself helps guard your rights and safety. Learn more about HIV criminalization laws in Ohio or check out the Know Your Rights guide from Positive Women’s Network.

Even if you did share your status with your partner, an accusation can have serious consequences. You may:

• Lose your right to keep your medical info private
• Have your HIV status and sex life made public
• Need to hire a lawyer (which can be expensive)
• Face major financial costs, even the risk of losing your home

This is why it’s important to protect yourself when you disclose.

In Ohio, if you’re found guilty of HIV felonious assault, you could face:

• 2 to 8 years in prison
• Probation
• Fines up to $15,000

This law applies even if no transmission happened, even if you used a condom or are undetectable. A conviction can impact your future in serious ways—including your freedom, finances and housing. Learn more about HIV criminalization laws in Ohio.