Clinical Care for Individuals Living with HIV

High quality, consistent and accessible care is essential for people diagnosed with HIV. With effective treatment and care, people with HIV can be healthy and live a near-normal lifespan. Linking individuals newly diagnosed with HIV to primary HIV care is a critical responsibility of those providing HIV testing. Sites providing testing should either be able to provide ongoing HIV primary care themselves or should be familiar with HIV primary care resources in their area and be able to facilitate appointments for clients at these care clinics.

Comprehensive guidelines for caring for a patient diagnosed with HIV are available at http://occguidelines.com/guidelines/

Fully effective suppression of plasma HIV-1 RNA (viral load) through the use of antiretroviral therapy can profoundly reduce mortality and morbidity. The latest evidence suggests that the rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy after diagnosis is desirable and should happen as early in the course of infection as possible.

Expert Guidance in HIV Clinical Care

otnhub.ca is a secure web-based tool that allows physicians and nurse practitioners timely access to specialist advice. Care providers seeking advice on the care of people living with HIV can use this resource to consult with experienced HIV care providers or a range of other HIV specialists.

If you are not already accessing this service, and would like this support, contact [email protected] and a program coordinator will enroll you in the services.

Additional Resources

Canadian Guidelines on the prevention of vertical HIV transmission and management of the HIV-exposed infant in Canada have been created by the
Canadian Paediatric and Perinatal AIDS Research Group and the Infectious Diseases Committee of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. These guidelines were last updated in 2014

Action Canada offers a Handbook for Health Care Providers Working with Clients from Diverse Communities. The OntarioPrEP site also offers an overview on Providing LGBT-Centred Care.