HIV

At Health Services of North Texas (HSNT), we provide comprehensive care for patients with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) or AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). From virus testing to infectious disease management services, our HIV care is kept private and confidential. HSNT is here for you if you think you may have been exposed to HIV, are living with HIV, or have AIDS in Denton and Collin Counties. Please reach out to us. You will find that our compassionate staff will ensure you receive high-quality, confidential care.

With HIV/AIDS, it is very important to start your medical treatment as soon as possible. HSNT also provides Ryan White Services for low-income patients in the following counties: Denton, Collin, Dallas, Hunt, and Kaufman.

What Is HIV Care?

There are many people living with HIV who do not yet know it. Getting tested is very important to prevent the progression of HIV to AIDS. That’s why we make HIV services affordable through our sliding fee scale and Ryan White Services for patients who qualify. HSNT accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial insurance plans. If you would like to become a patient at HSNT, please call the office nearest you to speak with one of our friendly receptionists, who will schedule an appointment for you. It is our mission to help our patients live long, healthy lives with hope.

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What Are the Symptoms of HIV?

HIV symptoms can include a wide range of physical signs that may indicate infection. Common symptoms associated with HIV include persistent fatigue, unexplained weight loss, recurring fevers, night sweats, swollen lymph nodes, chronic diarrhea, oral thrush, skin rashes, and frequent or prolonged infections.

Symptoms can vary greatly from person to person and may not appear at all in some individuals, especially during the early stages of infection. Because these symptoms can also be caused by other illnesses, testing is the only way to know your HIV status.

If you believe you may have been exposed to HIV or are experiencing symptoms that concern you, please contact Health Services of North Texas. Our team can provide confidential testing, accurate diagnosis, and compassionate, comprehensive care.

What Causes HIV and How Does HIV Spread?

HIV is caused by the exchange of certain bodily fluids from a person who is infected with the virus. These fluids include blood, semen, vaginal fluid, anal mucus, and breast milk.

In most cases, HIV is transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person. The virus can also be spread by sharing needles or syringes with someone who has HIV, or passed from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding if the mother is HIV positive.

HIV is not spread through casual contact such as hugging, shaking hands, sharing food or drinks, or through insect bites like mosquitoes.

Living With HIV

If you are at risk of contracting HIV virus, it is important for you to get tested regularly. You may also qualify for pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP), which is a medication taken daily for patients who may not have HIV but do have a higher risk for exposure to the virus. HIV is contracted through shared needles and unprotected sexual intercourse. By taking a daily PrEP pill, you can decrease your chances of contracting HIV but only if you take the pill consistently. You also still need to practice safer sex and if you have to use a syringe, share with no one.

Living as an HIV+ person, you may have experienced symptoms of HIV that felt like having the flu at first. The initial symptoms can feel like the aches and pains of the common cold or swollen glands. It may progress into a lingering stomachache, vomiting, or diarrhea. These are all signs of your body trying to fight off the virus you have contracted. Keep in mind, you can certainly be HIV+ with no symptoms at all.

HIV can be managed with medications called antiviral medications. HIV is a virus that destroys your immune system and can develop into AIDS if treatment is not successful. Our goal is to make sure that you have access to the medical treatment you need to enjoy living a healthy, full and productive life. We can discuss treatment options with you in a private consultation.

Services We Offer Patients With HIV

At Health Services of North Texas, we offer comprehensive HIV care and prevention services tailored to your needs, whether you are newly diagnosed, living with HIV, or working to prevent infection. Services may vary depending on how long you have had the virus or your level of risk, and can include:

HIV and AIDS testing
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
HIV and AIDS education
Behavioral health services
Individual counseling
Management of HIV medications and other therapies
Medical visits for routine, sick, or urgent care
Case management services
Prescription Assistance Program

For patients who qualify for Ryan White Services, HSNT can also provide additional support, including transportation to medical appointments, housing assistance, and help with insurance coverage, in addition to the services listed above.

We offer case management services to both newly diagnosed and established patients. These services may include help coordinating medical appointments, medication management, STI and STD testing, behavioral health support, counseling, connections to housing resources, and prescription assistance to ensure comprehensive, coordinated care.

How Is HIV Diagnosed?

Advancements in HIV testing allow our care team to diagnose HIV more quickly and accurately than ever before. Depending on the type of test ordered, diagnosis may require a sample of blood or oral fluid. There are three primary types of tests used to diagnose HIV:

Antibody tests detect HIV antibodies produced by the immune system. These tests may take several weeks to months after exposure to return a positive result.
Antigen/antibody tests detect both HIV antigens and antibodies. Because antigens appear in the blood sooner than antibodies, this test may identify HIV within a few weeks of exposure.
Nucleic acid tests (NATs) detect HIV’s genetic material (RNA). These tests are more comprehensive and can diagnose HIV in less than a month after exposure. NATs can also measure the amount of virus present in the blood.

Rapid HIV tests are also available and can provide results within minutes. If a rapid test result is positive, additional testing may be performed to confirm the diagnosis and gather more detailed information. Once your results are available, our team will contact you to discuss next steps and develop a personalized treatment plan if needed.

HIV FAQs

How many people have HIV?

According to government statistics, as many as 1.2 million Americans are living with HIV.

What are the symptoms of HIV infection?

The only way to know for certain you have been infected with HIV is to get a blood test. However, some common symptoms of acute HIV infection include:

Rash
Chills
Fever
Muscle aches
Swollen lymph nodes
Fatigue
Sore throat
Mouth ulcers
Night sweats

These symptoms may last from a few days to a few weeks; some people may have no symptoms at all.

Do HIV treatment medications really work?

While there is currently no cure for HIV, with proper medical care and medications, HIV can be effectively controlled. Although these medications can control viral loads, they do not prevent HIV transmission.

For Compassionate HIV Care

You deserve comprehensive, compassionate care. Our HIV and infectious disease management teams are dedicated medical professionals committed to helping you prevent HIV, access the medications you need, and reduce the risk of HIV progressing to AIDS.

At Health Services of North Texas, we provide confidential, patient-centered care designed to support your long-term health and well-being. You can learn more about our HIV resources at any of our HSNT locations in Denton and Plano.

We are here for you. Request an appointment today to take the next step toward informed, supportive, and compassionate HIV care.