HIV

If you’re at risk of contracting the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but want to avoid it, see the specialists at the Texas Infectious Disease Institute in Richardson, Texas. Double-board-certified internal medicine and infectious disease specialist Serge Lartchenko, MD, and his experienced team offer an HIV-prevention program to reduce your risk of HIV and AIDS. Call the Texas Infectious Disease Institute office today or schedule an appointment online.

What is an HIV-prevention program?

HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is an infectious disease that weakens your immune system when left untreated. More than a million people in the United States live with HIV, but about 1 in 5 don’t know they have the virus. The Texas Infectious Disease Institute offers cutting-edge HIV treatments and a prevention program to reduce risks.

Why choose the Texas Infectious Disease Institute’s HIV-prevention program?

The Texas Infectious Disease Institute’s HIV outpatient practice is a comprehensive treatment center offering top-quality care to patients in North Dallas. They specialize in HIV virus treatment and prevention, treating the most complex cases in the field.

What are the symptoms of HIV?

You might not have any noticeable symptoms of HIV in its early stages. Within 2-4 weeks after contracting the virus, you could develop flu-like symptoms, such as a fever, headaches, muscle aches, a rash, a sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and/or joint pain.

After these initial symptoms go away, you might not notice symptoms again until the later stages of HIV infection. At that point, it can produce flu-like symptoms, weight loss, shingles, oral yeast infections, and/or pneumonia.

Without proper treatment, you might develop acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The syndrome severely weakens your immune system and leaves you more prone to certain cancers and opportunistic infections.

What does an HIV-prevention program consist of?

The HIV-prevention program at the Texas Infectious Disease Institute teaches you ways to avoid contracting HIV — or reduce the risk of developing AIDS after contracting HIV.

The Texas Infectious Disease Institute team educates you about ways HIV spreads from person to person, including:

• Sharing needles with infected individuals
• Having unprotected sex with an infected partner
• Having sex with several partners
• Using nonsterile needles for tattoos or piercings

Practicing safe sex by having sex with only one monogamous partner who’s tested negative for HIV and using a condom during every sexual encounter are ways to reduce your risk of HIV and AIDS. So are not sharing needles and avoiding services that use unsterile needles for tattoos or piercings.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) involves taking medicines before having sexual intercourse to reduce your risk of contracting HIV.

If you’ve already contracted HIV, the condition isn’t curable. But proper treatment using medication and lifestyle changes can help you control the symptoms and nearly eliminate the detection of the virus in your bloodstream.

Call the office today or use the online booking tab to learn more about the HIV-prevention program at Texas Infectious Disease Institute.