At Your Appointment

HIV Appointment Guide

Ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment. Answer two questions below to personalize your appointment guide.
  • Please describe the symptoms and issues you’re having that led you to schedule this online appointment. Start at the beginning of this current episode and tell me how and when things have changed and progressed.
  • Have you been taking your HIV medication daily? Have you missed any doses?
  • Do you have any challenges with taking your HIV medication daily, such as lack of health insurance, or issues with drug and alcohol abuse?
  • What was your last CD4 count?
  • Are you experiencing any new HIV symptoms?
  • Have you added or dropped any medications for health issues other than HIV?
  • Have you had any recent infections of any kind?
  • Have you ever been tested for HIV before?
  • When was your last HIV test? What was the result?
  • Have you had unprotected sex? If yes, how recently?
  • To your knowledge, do any of your sexual partners have HIV?
  • Is it possible that you are pregnant?
  • Do you take any intravenous drugs?
  • Are you experiencing any side effects from your HIV medications?
  • What new symptoms are you experiencing?
  • How long have you been diagnosed with HIV?
  • Is your current HIV viral load undetectable?
  • Do you know your most recent CD4 T-cell count?
  • How long have you been taking HIV medication?
  • How long after exposure does it take for HIV to be diagnosed?
  • What are the early symptoms of HIV?
  • How long could I have HIV before experiencing any symptoms?
  • If my HIV test is negative, will I need a repeat test to confirm it?
  • What can I do to prevent spreading HIV to another person?
  • What are my treatment options for HIV?
  • When will I need to start taking HIV medication?
  • What should I do if I miss a dose of my HIV medication?
  • What types of tests will I need to monitor my HIV, and how often will I need them?
  • What is my current viral load?
  • How well do you think I'm doing with managing my HIV?
  • What happens if I experience side effects from my HIV medications?
  • What happens if I become resistant to my HIV medication?
  • Are my new symptoms a result of my HIV getting worse?
  • What is the best treatment, or combination of treatments, for my particular case of HIV?
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Last Review Date: 2018 Jul 17
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.
  1. Seeing Your Health Care Provider. HIV.Gov. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/staying-in-hiv-care/provider-visits-and-lab-test/seeing-your-health-c...
  2. HIV Treatment. AIDS Info. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://aidsinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv-aids/fact-sheets/21/55/following-an-hiv-regimen---steps-t...