• Accessing HIV Care: Test Your Knowledge

    This quiz covers key topics regarding accessing HIV care, including treatment basics and common barriers people may face. Understanding these issues helps people with HIV get care sooner and have better health outcomes.
  • 1. Consistent HIV care can improve life expectancy.

  • Answer: True. If you’re HIV positive, you can maintain your health and greatly prolong your life—as long as you access care and treatment.  

  • 2. How soon after an HIV diagnosis should a person start treatment?

  • Answer: As soon as possible. Antiretroviral therapy for HIV should be initiated immediately (or as soon as possible) after diagnosis. Starting HIV treatment immediately helps keep viral load low and CD4 cell counts high, reducing the risk of immune suppression and AIDS-related complications while also lowering the risk of certain non–AIDS-related illnesses that are more common among people living with HIV.

  • 3. Which of the following can make accessing HIV care harder?

  • Answer: All of the above. A 2023 Kaiser study found that all these factors were reported to be barriers to care engagement. Identifying people with HIV who are out of care and understanding the barriers they face are key to engaging or reengaging them in care and improving their health.

  • 4. People living with HIV in the United States aren’t legally protected from discrimination in health care.

  • Answer: False. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) protect individuals with HIV and AIDS against discrimination on the basis of their disability. Section 504 prohibits discrimination by health care and human service agencies that receive federal funds. Title II of the ADA prohibits discrimination by state and local government entities even if they do not receive federal financial assistance. Title II requires that state and local governments provide individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in a service or receive a benefit from the entities’ activities, programs or services.

  • 5. Regular lab testing isn’t a necessary component of HIV care.

  • Answer:  False. In order for your health care team to know how best to manage your HIV, blood tests should be done on a regular basis.

  • 6. People can switch HIV care providers if they are not satisfied.

  • Answer: True. One of the most important tools you have in fighting HIV is your relationship with your doctor. It’s worth spending time finding the right one for you.

  • 7. Telehealth isn’t an option for some HIV care visits.

  • Answer: False. While you will still need to make in-person visits for some exams and your lab work, telemedicine is sometimes a convenient alternative—especially for people who have to travel long distances to see a doctor.

  • 8. If a person living with HIV has a suppressed viral load, they cannot sexually transmit the virus.

  • Answer: True. Studies have shown that HIV-positive people who maintain an undetectable viral load do not transmit the virus via sex, a fact known as Undetectable Equals Untransmittable, or U=U. 

  • 9. There are various HIV drug assistance programs that can help people cover their medication costs.

  • Answer: True. Patient assistance programs (PAPs) and co-payment assistance programs (CAPs) help people who are uninsured, underinsured or can’t meet their out-of-pocket expenses for health care.

  • 10. People commonly find help with HIV care and related services at community-based organizations.

  • Answer: True. Many community-based organizations provide HIV care, treatment and essential services. Use the POZ Health Services Directory to find one in your area.

  • Click here to learn more about accessing HIV care and treatment.

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