HIV & AIDS: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   If the exposure happened within the past 72 hours, seek urgent medical care immediately to ask about PEP.

   Seek urgent or emergency care for severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, confusion, a seizure, fainting, a severe headache with neck stiffness, sudden weakness, or inability to stay awake.

   These symptoms have many possible causes, but they need rapid assessment.

   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Arrange prompt testing if you may have been exposed to HIV, even if you feel well.

   Arrange confirmatory testing promptly.

   Until the result is confirmed, avoid sharing injection equipment and use measures that reduce sexual transmission.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on HIV & AIDS. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.