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I tested myself for HIV using the take home HIV test. 2 dots appeared, which means I am HIV positive. What do I do now?

You’ve come to the right place, we can help you with the next step.

Getting a positive result on an HIV test may be a shock. You are not alone, there is help. With treatment, care and support you can live long and well with HIV. Here is what you need to know:

  1. HIV can be treated. With treatement and support people can live well with HIV. HIV treatment is usually very simple, with few side effects, and can prevent passing HIV to others. It is important to get medical care and treatment as soon as you can.
  2. Make sure you get referred to the Manitoba HIV Program. Because you tested yourself at home, your next step is to see a healthcare provider for a confirmatory test. This can be your family doctor or another doctor that works well for you. They will then refer you to the Manitoba HIV Program. Or you can refer yourself to the Manitoba HIV Program by calling 1-866-449-0165 to be connected with the right resources and supports.
  3. HIV can be passed to others during sex, by sharing equipment to use drugs, or during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding/chestfeeding. You can stop HIV from passing to others by:
    – practicing safer sex
    – using new equipment everytime you inject drugs, or choosing different ways of using drugs
    – taking HIV medication as prescribed to you
    – feed your baby formula with the support from the Manitboa HIV Program Infant Formula Program
    – using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for your HIV negative sex partner(s)
  4. A public health nurse may contact you to provide you with information about HIV. They will also talk to you about people you may have had contact with and the importance of them being tested for HIV. You do not need to provide your name to people you have had contact with.
  5. You don’t have to tell everyone you have HIV, but you do have a legal duty to tell your sex partner(s) you have HIV before some kinds of sex. Find out more from the HIV Legal Network.

We hope this is helpful, and that you are able to connect with the services that will get you the information and supports that are right for you. If you’re in crisis and need to talk to someone, Klinic’s 24/7 crisis line is available across Manitoba at 1-888-322-3019.