HIV/AIDS

Whole-person care for people living with HIV and AIDS

UCSF Health is home to one of the most comprehensive HIV/AIDS treatment programs in the country. Founded in 1984, we offer a range of high-quality services in a safe and respectful setting. These include primary care, leading-edge HIV prevention and treatment, support services and other resources to help you achieve the best possible long-term health.

UCSF Health is also a leader in HIV/AIDS research. Our patients are often among the first to benefit from new HIV/AIDS treatments through clinical trials.

We offer several specialized programs to address the specific needs of different people living with HIV and AIDS. These include our:

• Women's HIV Program. We provide medical and behavioral health services for women with or at risk for HIV, including primary and OB-GYN care, HIV treatment, substance use disorder treatment and counseling. We also offer pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for patients and their partners and coordinate care for their children.

• Men of Color HIV/AIDS Program. Our team provides culturally sensitive care and education for HIV-positive men of color living in San Francisco, with a particular focus on African Americans. HIV is most prevalent today among African American males ages 25 to 44. Our program helps patients develop and maintain a relationship with a primary care provider.

• HIV and Aging Program. We address the medical needs and health risks of adults age 50 and older living with HIV, helping them live longer, healthier lives.

• Urban HIV Telemedicine Program. For people who may have difficulty accessing HIV care due to social, financial or geographical constraints, we offer confidential video visits with our expert providers.

Our HIV/AIDS health care services

Our team of doctors, dietitians, pharmacists, social workers and other providers, all with specialized expertise in HIV and AIDS, supports your care. Our services include:

• Primary care, including diagnostic, lab and imaging tests

• Medication management and pharmacy services

• Mental health care

• Nutritional counseling

• HIV/AIDS care and education

• Counseling for preventing HIV transmission

• Outpatient surgical services

• Pain management care

• Wellness services, including smoking cessation, sleep management and physical therapy

Social support for people living with HIV/AIDS

Living with HIV or AIDS can create challenges for people at home and in their workplaces. Our licensed social workers can help. Each patient is offered an initial social service assessment and follow-up appointments, if needed.

Our social workers can provide:

• Access to counseling and support groups

• Help enrolling in the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, Social Security and Medi-Cal

• Community resources for mental health, housing, disability, job training and advocacy programs 

When to seek urgent care for HIV/AIDS

Certain issues need prompt attention. Please seek urgent care if you have:

• Blood in your urine

• Fainting or loss of consciousness

• Fever greater than 103°F (39°C)

• Diarrhea lasting more than one day or more than three stools per day

• Vomiting that prevents you from taking your medication

You should also get urgent care if you experience these symptom changes:

• Chest pain that's more severe or longer lasting than previous chest pain

• Severe headache that's worse than previous headaches

• Trouble breathing that's new or worse than before

• Weakness or numbness in part of your body that you haven't experienced before

During regular business hours, call us if you're having any of these issues. If our clinic is closed, please call the hospital operator at (415) 476-1000 and ask to speak to the HIV/AIDS doctor or nurse on call. If you need immediate help, call 911 and let them know you're a patient in the UCSF Health HIV/AIDS program.