Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a chronic viral infection that weakens the immune system and makes patients more susceptible to other infections and diseases. Mississippi has the fifth-highest rate of HIV diagnosis in the country. Although there is no cure, there has been a steady decline in HIV cases and medical advances have made it possible for those with HIV to lead long and healthy lives.
The HIV virus attacks the immune system making the body more susceptible to infections and cancers. Early stages of HIV can often be mistaken for the flu or other illnesses. Fever, chills, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, rash and unexplained weight loss are common. As HIV progresses, additional symptoms may appear, such as persistent diarrhea, recurring infections and neurological symptoms. If you experience these symptoms or think you may have been exposed to HIV, contact your health care provider to get tested.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is the use of medications to reduce the risk of contracting HIV. PrEP works by preventing HIV from establishing itself as a permanent infection and reduces transmission by up to 99%. It is available as a pill or an injection. Before starting PrEP, our specialists will test you for HIV and discuss the available options to find what best suits you. You will also be tested for HIV periodically while on PrEP.
If you have an HIV-positive partner or are at higher risk for HIV exposure, please contact Hattiesburg Clinic infectious disease specialists to ask about PrEP. We offer PrEP consultations, bi-monthly injections and ongoing monitoring to ensure optimal protection against HIV.
If you have HIV, managing the viral load, or the amount of HIV in your blood, is crucial. The goal of treatment is to reduce the viral load to undetectable levels. When HIV becomes undetectable, it means the virus is no longer transmissible through sexual contact.
The infectious disease specialists at Hattiesburg Clinic will work closely with you to develop an individualized treatment plan including:
Since early detection is key to effective HIV management, we offer confidential HIV testing and personalized counseling for prevention and treatment options. Through these counseling and consultation sessions, we may recommend PrEP.
If you have had a Sexually Transmitted Infection in the last year, you are more likely to get HIV. STIs can cause inflammation and sometimes open sores, which allows HIV to enter the bloodstream more easily.
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) was once very common and very deadly in HIV patients. Since the invention of ART, PJP rates in HIV patients have decreased but the risk for serious infection is still high, as the immune system is weakened and not able to fight off the fungus which causes pneumonia. Those with low CD4 counts, often below 200, or a history of PJP, are more at risk. If you are living with HIV and experience symptoms such as persistent cough, shortness of breath or fever, it is important to seek medical care immediately to rule out PJP and receive appropriate treatment. The infectious disease specialists at Hattiesburg Clinic are adept at managing these complex treatment plans, ensuring that ART continues to suppress HIV while PJP is being treated. Our team will provide long-term follow-up care to monitor for signs of relapse and adjust ART or prophylactic medications accordingly.
The infectious disease experts at Hattiesburg Clinic have been at the leading edge of research leading to advances in the care and treatment of patients with HIV. We are dedicated to helping people living with HIV lead healthy lives.