- HIV is a disease you get by having sex without a condom
- The initial symptoms are flu-like. Sometimes, you won’t have any symptoms
- Get yourself tested for HIV twice a year. If you have any symptoms between tests, get an additional HIV test
- There is a pill that keeps you from getting HIV: PrEP
- You can keep working if you have HIV: take your medicine like you’re supposed to and use condoms
Symptoms
If you’ve just gotten HIV, you may have symptoms that are flu-like or like Pfeiffers disease. This is called acute HIV.
You may have these symptoms:
- Tiredness
- Stuffy nose
- Fever
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Rash (spots on your skin)
Your doctor might not think of HIV straight away if you have these symptoms. Did you have unsafe sex? Tell your doctor.
Take an STI test
Do you think you have HIV? If so, you might have other STIs. Get an STI test at the municipal health service (GGD) or at your doctor's office. Then you will know for sure whether you have an STI. And you will get medicine for it right away.
Testing and treatment
Do you have symptoms and think you might have HIV? Get an HIV test at the municipal health service (GGD) or at your doctor's office. Testing is free at the municipal health service (GGD) if you tell them you are a sex worker.
Was the test positive for HIV? In that case, you will get medicine. You can’t be cured, but you can live a healthy life if you take your medicine. You also won’t give HIV to other people.
Tell people you had sex with that you have HIV. That way, they can also get an HIV test.
You can read more about HIV, the treatment and which sex partners can also get tested at soaaids.nl.
Read more about HIV (Dutch only)
Working if you have HIV
Yes, you can keep working if you have HIV. Take your medicine and you won’t get sick. And you won’t give HIV to someone else. That way, you will stay healthy while working.
- Always take your medicine
- Get a regular check-up at your doctor’s office
But do protect yourself against other STIs:
- Use a condom during vaginal and anal sex
- Use a condom when you give a blow job or eat pussy. Are you unable to use a condom? Make sure the penis doesn’t go too far into your throat. Make sure that you and the other person don’t get sperm in your mouth.
This goes for sex with your clients and your own partner if you have one.
PrEP will prevent you from getting HIV
Do you want additional protection against HIV? Maybe you can use PrEP. PrEP is a pill that keeps you from getting HIV. You take it every day. Or only if you have sex.
