The implications and impact of living with HIV infection in people with haemophilia and their families have been devastating. HIV gave rise to many new fears and problems, just at a time when life for people with haemophilia appeared to be better than it had been in the days before effective treatment was available. The Society have put in place a range of support services and programmes for people who were infected and currently living with HIV, including a counselling and outreach programme to address the specific needs of our members, their partners and family members. We aim to achieve this by:

• Offering support before, during and after antiviral treatment.
• Offering regular update meetings on HIV treatments.
• Offering support, education and information to family members in relation to their concerns relating to HIV.
• Facilitating networking between members.
• Offering support during periods of illness.
• Offering home visits.
• Offering hospital visits.
• Acting as a resource for you and your family.
• Keeping you informed of your entitlements under the Health Amendment Act (HAA) Card, and the Hepatitis C Insurance Scheme.
• Organise specific conferences for members with HIV.

There are lots of things you can do to look after your physical and mental health and general well being. Leading a healthy lifestyle is a good start. This includes getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, exercising, not smoking and drinking sensible amounts of alcohol. Attending your clinic appointments is very important, as regular check-ups are vital and a very important part of staying well. Looking after your emotional health is also very important. It is good to have somebody that you trust, who you can talk to about your feelings, and to discuss any problems you might have. Living with HIV can be hard at times, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.

If you would like to talk to somebody about any concerns you may have please contact the office in total confidence on 01 657 9900.