HIV in Denton, TX and Plano, TX

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 we have a compassionate staff who will make sure 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.

There are many people living with HIV and do not know it. Getting tested is very important to stop the fatal progression of the virus into AIDS, which is why we offer our services for HIV for at a reduced cost to you (based on your income) or if covered by Ryan White Services, free of charge. HSNT accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial insurance plans, too. If you would like to become a patient at HSNT, please call the office nearest you and ask to speak with one of our friendly receptionists who will set you up with an appointment. It is our mission for our HIV patients to live long, healthy lives with hope.

HIV symptoms encompass a range of indications that can serve as signs of HIV infection. Commonly associated with HIV, these symptoms include persistent fatigue, unexplained weight loss, recurrent fevers, night sweats, swollen lymph nodes, chronic diarrhea, oral thrush, skin rashes, and frequent infections. It is important to note that these HIV symptoms can vary in severity and may not necessarily manifest in all individuals infected with the virus. Additionally, these symptoms can also be linked to other illnesses. If you suspect you may have contracted HIV, please contact Health Services of North Texas to receive proper testing, diagnosis, and appropriate care.

HIV is caused by the exchange of bodily fluids from a person infected with the virus. These fluids include blood, semen, vaginal fluid, anal mucus, and breast milk. In the majority of cases, HIV transmission occurs through unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person. It can also be passed on by sharing needles or syringes with someone who has the virus, or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding if the mother is HIV positive. HIV cannot be transmitted through casual contact like shaking hands or sharing a drink, or from insects like mosquitoes.

If you are at risk of contracting the HIV virus, it is important for you to get tested frequently. 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 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 medication. 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 live out your life. We can discuss treatment options with you in a private consultation.

In treating HIV, we offer several options, depending on the length of time you have had the virus or are actively doing your best to prevent infection. Our services can include:

• HIV/AIDS testing as needed
• Pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP
• HIV/AIDS education
• Behavioral health services
• Individual counseling
• Management of HIV medications and other therapies
• Medical visits for routine, sick, or urgent care 
• Case Management
• Prescription Assistance Program
• For our Ryan White eligible patients, HSNT is able to offer transportation services for medical visits, and housing and insurance assistance in addition to the services listed above. 

We offer case management services to established patients and newly diagnosed patients at HSNT, such as medical appointments (routine/sick/urgent), medication management, testing for STI and STDs, behavioral health services, counseling, resource linking for housing, and prescription assistance.

Thanks to advancements in HIV testing, our team can diagnose your condition faster and more efficiently than ever before. Depending on which type of test we order, we will need a sample of blood or oral fluid. There are three types of tests used to diagnose HIV:

• Antibody tests check for HIV antibodies. This type of test can take several weeks to months to detect HIV after exposure.
• Antigen/antibody tests check for antigens (foreign substances that are a sign of an immune response) as well as HIV antibodies. Antigens appear in the blood quicker than antibodies, so this test may detect HIV within a few weeks of exposure.
• Nucleic acid tests (NATs) detect genetic materials (RNA) that are found in HIV. This is a more comprehensive test that can diagnose HIV within less than a month of exposure. As an added benefit, NATs can also inform us about how much of the virus is in your blood.

There are also rapid HIV tests, which can detect signs of HIV within minutes. If your result is positive, we may follow it up with a more thorough test to confirm and learn more. Once we have your test results, we'll contact you and build out a treatment plan (if necessary).

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.

You deserve comprehensive care. Our HIV and infectious disease management teams are compassionate medical professionals who want to see you receive the medical treatment you need to prevent HIV, have access to medicine, and ward off the development of AIDS in the future. Find out more about our HIV resources at any of our HSNT locations in Denton and Plano.  We are here for you, request an appointment today.