Questions for Your Doctor

The following list of questions will help you start a meaningful dialogue with your doctor. Check the boxes next to the questions you want to ask, then print the list and take it with you to your appointment. Additionally, you can write your own questions at the bottom of the page. Keep in mind that you might not cover everything during your visit.

Click on the topic below to see a list of questions about that subject for your doctor.

• General Questions About HIV
• Treatment Questions
• Lifestyle Questions
• Emergency Care Questions
• Testing Questions

General Questions About HIV + Click here to select all questions in this group
	What is HIV, and how does it differ from AIDS?
	How does someone get HIV?
	What are my CD4 T-cell counts, and why are they important?
	What is viral load and why is it important?
	What can I expect to happen next? What are the usual stages of HIV disease?
	Will we take any steps to prevent opportunistic infections?
	What do you need to know about my sex life? Drug use? Alcohol use?
	What is the chance that I might also have hepatitis B or C? How can that be treated?
Treatment Questions + Click here to select all questions in this group
	When should I start treatment?
	What is the long-term prognosis for me?
	Is anyone ever able to stop taking medicines entirely?
	How do HIV medicines work?
	Why do I need to take several HIV medicines at once?
	Which combination of medicines is best for me?
	Will HIV medicines affect other medicines I am taking?
	What side effects should I expect?
	Can I take the medicine you’ve prescribed while I am pregnant?
	What should I do if I miss a dose?
	I'm taking medications for conditions other than HIV infection. Can I keep taking them?
	Is there any medication, prescription or over-the-counter (including herbal products), that I should avoid taking?
	What if the medication that I’m on stops working and why would it stop working?
	What is drug resistance?
	Under which conditions would I have to change medications?
Lifestyle Questions + Click here to select all questions in this group
	Must I still practice safe sex if my viral load is undetectable?
	Will I have to avoid certain foods?
	Should I take vitamin or mineral supplements?
	Can you refer me to a social services caseworker or someone who can help me manage the financial aspects of my health care?
	I'd like to join an HIV/AIDS support group. Do you know of one in the area?
	I'm not sure I'm eating well enough. Can you recommend a nutritionist?
	Can I exercise? What type of exercise would be best for me right now?
	I'm having difficulty with my emotions. Can you recommend a therapist?
	What can you suggest for stress reduction?
	There are people I need to tell about being HIV positive, and I don't know how to begin. Any suggestions?
	I don't feel I'm getting the support I need from my family and friends. What can I do?
Emergency Care Questions + Click here to select all questions in this group
	How do I reach you in an emergency?
	When you’re not available, whom should I call?
	When is the best time to call if I have a question or a problem that is not an emergency?
Testing Questions + Click here to select all questions in this group
	What tests do I need? What are they for? When will you give me the results?
	How often should I have my CD4 T-cell levels and viral load checked?
	What else will you monitor? Is there anything I should keep track of?
	How often should I be tested for tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases?
	Will I be getting a complete physical checkup on a regular basis?
	(For women) How often should I get a gynecological exam and a Pap test?
	Should I be immunized (vaccinated) for measles? Mumps? Rubella? Chicken pox? Hepatitis? Flu? Bacterial pneumonia?
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