If you have HIV, you should see a doctor regularly for a check-up. Most people with HIV attend sexual health clinics or specialist HIV clinics that have doctors and other health professionals trained in HIV care. Even if you do not need to start HIV treatment at this stage, regular blood tests will tell you about the health of your immune system and indicate when you should think about starting. 

If you are entitled to free NHS care, this care and the anti-HIV drugs provided through NHS HIV clinics and sexual health clinics are free. Your HIV clinic or an HIV support organisation will be able to tell you if you are eligible for free NHS care.

Before you start taking anti-HIV drugs, or if you need to switch to a new combination, you should have a number of blood tests.

Viral load and CD4 tests will tell you if your HIV is progressing and about the health of your immune system.

When you start or change a drug combination, a viral load will be done within the first month, to check that the drugs are working. After this, testing is generally performed every three to four months, although some doctors may perform tests more often to begin with and less frequently once you are established on treatment and doing well. 

Once you are on HIV treatment, you will have tests to measure liver and kidney function, and the levels of fat (cholesterol) and sugar in your blood, to assess any effects of the drugs on these systems.

Your HIV care will also involve a number of other routine tests. These will monitor your general health, to see if your treatment is causing any side-effects.

For more information, see the NAM booklets CD4, viral load & other tests and Adherence & resistance.