I’ve just been diagnosed with HIV. Now what?
First, you are going to be ok!
And, with proper treatment and care, you can live a long, full and healthy life, plan for the future and do all the things you’re passionate about.
The most important thing is to start treatment for HIV as soon as possible, even if you don’t feel sick.
Right now, you probably have some questions about your new HIV diagnosis.
Let us help. We can walk you through what to do next: find an HIV-specialist doctor in Toronto, how to get insurance coverage or payment support for your medications, setting you up for prescription delivery, and answer any other questions you may have.
No hassles. No judgement. We’re here for you.
Request a free HIV consultation now:
HIV is a manageable condition.
HIV is a manageable, chronic condition that can be treated with highly effective, well-tolerated medications, often in just 1 pill, once a day. With treatment, most people can get the virus under control (undetectable) within six months, according to the CDC.
“Getting and keeping an undetectable viral load (or staying virally suppressed) is the best thing you can do to stay healthy. Having an undetectable viral load also helps prevent transmission to others. In fact, if you have an undetectable viral load, you have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV to an HIV-negative partner through sex.”
The most important thing you can do now is to start treatment for HIV right away, even if you don’t feel sick.
Here’s a checklist on what to do next, some inspirational stories of others who share their experiences when they learned they were HIV positive, links to community resources and lots more information about HIV and your health.
Checklist for people newly diagnosed with HIV
If you’re newly diagnosed with HIV, getting the right care team is vitally important. And, if you need help in other areas - financially, emotional support, legal advice, housing, etc - there is a wide network of great organizations in Toronto that can help you out.
✔︎ Take some time to process your new HIV diagnosis.
Receiving an HIV-positive diagnosis can feel overwhelming. You’re probably going through a range of emotions right now and that’s ok. Take the time to process the news, to connect with loved ones and know that you are not alone. Scroll down for a list of social services organizations in Toronto who can also help.
✔︎ Get medical care from an HIV specialty doctor as soon as possible.
If possible, find a doctor that specializes in HIV. They will have in-depth experience with HIV, and will provide you with the most current treatment protocols.
Need help? Get in touch with us and we can refer you to an HIV-specialist doctor in Toronto.
✔︎ Register with a pharmacy that has specialized knowledge of HIV.
We’d love for you to be our valued client, and we can pass on the benefit of years of experience in HIV treatment to you. We’ll make it convenient for you to get your prescriptions:
Have your doctor fax us your prescriptions.
Send us new prescriptions or refill requests using The Village Pharmacy app or online forms, and schedule your pickup time.
Get in touch by email, phone, or come in anytime.
✔︎ Find an HIV support organization in Toronto if you need extra help.
PWA Toronto provides practical supports such as financial assistance, food and vitamins program, therapeutic and naturopathic health programs, social programs and much more.
ACT offers one-on-one counselling, mental health support, substance use treatment support, employment support, tax clinics and more.
BlackCAP has a number of valuable HIV prevention and support services for Toronto’s African, Caribbean and Black communities living with HIV.
Fife House provides secure and affordable housing and support services for people living with HIV.
HALCO is a free legal clinic for people living with HIV.
WHAI helps women living with HIV. Find a WHAI coordinator near you. In Toronto, ACT has specialized women’s programs and counsellors available for social support.
Maggie’s Place provides resources and support for sex workers of all genders in Toronto.
Knowing more about HIV and HIV treatment can help you take better control of your health.
Find out more about HIV so you can take control of your own health. Here’s a starter list of reliable, easy-to-read, evidence-based info on HIV.
Just Diagnosed with HIV by CATIE - the leading Canadian source for HIV information
Information for people just diagnosed with HIV by NAM Aidsmap
Newly Diagnosed with HIV by the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), US
Just Diagnosed - Next steps after testing positive for HIV by the US Department of Health and Health Services
Newly Diagnosed with HIV by Avert, a UK-based nonprofit organization
Still have questions about your HIV diagnosis?
We’re here for you at The Village Pharmacy, with compassion and empathy. Our pharmacy is an inclusive environment where everyone is welcome. You can count on us to help you navigate your new HIV diagnosis and answer your questions.
Our pharmacists have an in-depth understanding of HIV and HIV treatments.
We’ll walk you through what it means to be HIV positive, and provide you with info on your HIV and your health, medications, side-effects, interactions, scheduling and more.
We’ll do everything we can to help you get the HIV care you need.
Whether you need an HIV doctor, financial support, legal advice or emotional support, The Village Pharmacy can recommend the right clinic or organization for you. .
Get in touch with us anytime. We can help you better understand your medications, answer your questions about side-effects, and put you in touch with HIV support organizations and other service providers in Toronto.
Personal Stories of People Living with HIV
Getting a positive HIV diagnosis is an emotional whirlwind. Here’s just a small sample of people from a variety of backgrounds sharing their experiences of testing positive for HIV and what came next. We hope you know that you’re not alone, and find them as inspiring as we do.
Alex Chevez answers frequently asked questions about HIV+.
In this digital story, Justin talks about the stream of emotions he felt when he received his HIV diagnosis.
Yuri talks about how, with HIV treatment, he's not letting HIV stop him from doing the activities he loves.
Here’s Renee, sharing her inspiring story of her HIV diagnosis after just finding out she was pregnant with twins.
Chris talks about the internal stigma he experienced after being diagnosed with HIV and how it motivated him and his friend, Scott, to found the Stigma Project.
De'Bronski talks about the initial numbness and denial he experienced after learning he was HIV positive and realizing he had to live a full life not only for himself but also for his daughter.
Hear Anthony’s reaction to his HIV diagnosis and overcoming a range of hardships to being empowered.
More stories of people sharing their experiences with HIV
What it’s like to be HIV Positive - From Now Magazine, Toronto
Newly diagnosed with HIV - A Memo to Me - From TheBody.com
Living with HIV Personal Stories and Experiences - From Avert.org, a UK Charity providing global information on HIV
Real-life stories of people living with HIV - From POZ.com
Living with HIV: six very different stories - Published by The Guardian
Living with HIV, then and now - Stories from around the world by the International AIDS Society