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I may have caught something, how can I tell?

See a GP straight way. Clinic 34 is a specialist sexual health service that provides testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV and AIDS throughout the Northern Territory.


All services are free and confidential and you do not need a Medicare Card.

Now I've been diagnosed, what support is available?

Support Services

Hepatitis and HIV positive support groups

Being newly diagnosed can be overwhelming and understanding all the information that is provided to you can be challenging. Often speaking to peers that have been in similar circumstances can put things into perspective and help with living positively. If you are newly diagnosed we have support groups that can assists you with your diagnosis.


Women’s Group

A support group for positive women only, held in a safe and non-judgemental environment where we provide information and education on the specific needs of HIV+ women. We also provided one on one support for positive women that require emotional and social support.


Men’s Group:

Peer support group for HIV+ men that are held regularly and facilitated by a HIV+ person.


We provide support to positive people on a one on one basis


Hepatitis Support Group

Hepatitis support groups provide education and information on treatment, healthy living and offer emotional support to them and their family members or caregivers.


Our support groups discuss the following topics:

  • Disclosure
  • Rights and responsibilities
  • Relationships
  • Medications
  • Eating healthy
  • Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
  • Mental health 

Support groups are run regularly in locations around Darwin. In Alive Springs we run positive support groups for people living with HIV and or Hepatitis B and C. 


Please contact the Care and Support team for the location of the next meeting.

How do I tell people?

It's important that you consider how a person might react when telling them you have HIV or Hepatitis. There is still a large degree of stigma and discrimination in the community around Blood Borne Viruses. The most important thing to remember is you can live a long and healthy life on treatments. The following information informs you of your legal rights. 


Disclosure: Generally you do not have to tell people you have HIV however there are limited exceptions to this rule.


Personal Relationships

In some states public health law says you must tell prospective sexual partners that you have HIV before you have sex unless you take reasonable precautions to prevent transmission (for example, using condoms). There have been a small number of criminal prosecutions for HIV exposure or transmission. It is difficult to generalise about these cases but it is important to note that all have relied on the fact that the person with HIV did not disclosure their HIV-positive status before sex. There have been no criminal prosecutions where a condom has been used during sex, whether or not the person with HIV disclosed their status.


Telling Sexual Partners

If you test positive for HIV or an STI it is important that you tell people that you may have exposed so that they can get tested and treated if necessary. You can send an anonymous text or email to others you may have placed at risk.


In Other Aspects of Life

In some cases you are obliged to disclose your HIV status. 


Work - You are not required to disclose your HIV status in most work environments although there are a few exceptions. Doctors, nurses and dentist who perform exposure prone procedures are required to know and disclose their BBV status. Everyone who applies to join the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is tested for HIV and if found to be HIV positive, will not be allowed to join. The ADF also regularly undertakes HIV testing of it's personnel.


Insurance - You have a legal obligation to disclose all relevant information when applying for insurance. if you decide to take out a new insurance policy such as life insurance, income protection, or death and disability insurance, you will need to disclose your BBV positive status, the insurance company won't pay out when you make a claim. When you disclose your BBV status, some companies may refuse to insure you while others will charge higher premiums. As BBV treatments have improved, the range of insurance options has also improved, so it is worth shopping around to find the best deal.


Superannuation - You do not need to disclose your BBV status to your superannuation fund, however, if you become ill or experience serious financial hardship, you may be able to access some or all of your superannuation early. This will normally require disclosure of your status and other health information. If you intend to access your superannuation early it is important to seek independent advise as your application must satisfy very strict criteria. Superannuation funds often include a 'default' insurance cover, which means you are automatically insured unless you opt out. This can be a good option for people with a BBV as it does not require any disclosure unless you want to make a claim.


Immigration - The Department of Immigration requires anyone applying for a permanent residency to provide the results of an HIV test.


Donating Blood - The law states that people with HIV cannot donate blood, semen, ova or other body tissues.


Oversea's Travel - For many people with HIV. travel is a regular part of life, whether for work, study or pleasure. In most cases, HIV is not a barrier to travel and holidays. To avoid problems, it is usually best not disclose your Status unnecessarily- not to other travelers, to customs or immigration officials, or to work colleagues. HIV continues to be heavily stigmatised in many countries, and your HIV status is not their business.


Discrimination

Discrimination on the basis of BBV status is unlawful across Australia. Laws cover people with BBVs, people believed to have a BBV, and people who associate with people how have a BBV. Although these laws do not extend into personal life, they do cover the areas of work, accommodation, education, access to premises, clubs and sport and the provision of goods, facilities, services and land. If you believe you have experienced discrimination based on your BBV status, contact us and we can talk through your experience and discuss whether you should contact the anti-discrimination agency.


Contact Tracing

Drama Down Under (Gay men)

DDU-SMS 

DDU EMAIL 


Better to Know (Indigenous)

BETTER TO KNOW SMS 

BETTER TO KNOW EMAIL 

I'm living positive, where to from here?

Living Positive

If you've just been diagnosed with HIV or Hepatitis and want to talk to another positive person, contact our Care and Support team. It's important to remember that you can live a long and healthy life. Eating well and maintaining low stress levels is vital to remaining well.


Other Health Conditions

People living with HIV and Hepatitis also live with other health conditions. Some of these are more prevalent amongst those of us who have had HIV or Hepatitis for some time. its important that you maintain a good relationship with your specialist and your General Practitioner.


Smoking

Tobacco is the one of the most widely used drugs in the world, nicotine is powerfully addictive and can have serious effects on your health. If you are living with HIV or Hepatitis one of the best things you can do for your overall health is to quit smoking.


Ageing

Many people now living with HIV and Hepatitis are over the age of 50 and this presents with particular challenges


How well we age and how the ageing of our bodies impacts upon our health is unique to each of us, Ageing and living with a Blood Borne Virus long term and taking treatments all impacts on our overall health. One of the best things we can do for ourselves is to maintain a healthy lifestyle including exercise, reducing our alcohol, and a balanced diet.


Alcohol & Other Drugs

If you drink alcohol or use another drug, as with any indulgence, the key is moderation.


Overuse any drug and you risk damaging your health and in some cases your treatment outcomes will not be successful. If you depend on alcohol or other drugs, it's a good idea to review what is going on in your life and seek advice to help with strategies to make a change.


Sexual Health

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are passed on during sexual contact. Some of these have no symptoms.


and therefor you might not know you have an infection so it's always advisable to practice safer sexual behaviour and use condoms, dams and water based lubricants.


Some STI's can increase the risk of passing on HIV which is why regular screening is important. It is recommended that you have a sexual health screen every six months and if you have sex frequently then test every three months.rite a description for this tab and include information that will interest site visitors. For example if you are using tabs to show different services write about what makes this service unique. If you are using tabs to display restaurant items write about what makes a specific dish particularly worthwhile or delicious.

Resources


By James Emery 17 Mar, 2022
Young Deadly Free- website This website is a one-stop shop for resources about STIs and BBVs affecting young people in regional and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. These resources have been developed and collated by the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute as part of two initiatives funded by the Australian Government Department of Health.  WHO ARE THE RESOURCES FOR? There are resources for young people in remote Aboriginal communities, as well as resources for Elders, parents, youth workers and other community leaders – with tips on how the whole community can work with young people to encourage STI and BBV testing, and knockout STIs and BBVs. They also provide resources for clinicians working in remote communities, including videos, links to testing and treatment guidelines. Factsheets Posters Videos and so much more.... Check out the website which has lots of information.
By James Emery 16 Mar, 2022
Better to know - new website Better to Know is a sexual health resource for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It provides information about common sexually transmitted infections (STIs), what to do if you have an STI and where to get tested. It contains information that deals with both men's and women's business. Factsheets Clinic search Testing reminders and so much more. Target audience - 1st Nations Australians. Check out the new website which has new fact sheets and lots of information.
By James Emery 07 Mar, 2022
Sistergirl Suicide Prevention Resource NTAHC has limited stock of the new post cards- if you would like copies pop in or send us an email to info@ntahc.org.au We thank Crystal Johnson and Shaniqua for telling there stories. The resource will be rolled out more broadly very soon.
By James Emery 07 Mar, 2022
Us Mob and HIV Has useful information on HIV and is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It contains information that deals with both men’s and women’s business. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this booklet may contain names of people who have passed away. NTAHC stocks the new Booklet - if you would like copies pop in or send us an email to info@ntahc.org.au Check out the new website which has new fact sheets and lots of information.
By James Emery 01 Mar, 2022
My partner is living with HIV - I'm not because they can't pass it on. Undetectable = Untransmissible When a person living with HIV is taking effective treatment and has an undetectable viral load they are no longer infectious and HIV can no longer be transmitted through sex. An undetectable viral load means that treatment has stopped the virus from replicating and the amount of HIV in a person’s blood is so low that it cannot be measured in tests.
By Accalia Dalmore 03 Feb, 2022
Free condoms across the NT
By James Emery 22 Jan, 2021
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)
By James Emery 20 Jan, 2021
Hep A B and C

HIV

By James Emery 20 Jan, 2021
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system and weakens the body's natural way to fight infections.
By James Emery 20 Jan, 2021
Sexually transmitted infections are on the rise in the NT!
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Directory for resources and organisations


Recently diagnosed with HIV, Hepatitis or STI?

Talk to us!


Our Care and Support team offer free and confidential information & support by phone, email or in person.

Alice Springs
Program Manager 

Jyoti Jadeja

jyoti.jadeja@ntahc.org.au

Ph: 08 8953 3172

Darwin
Care & Support Coordinator

Sujay Kentlyn

sujay.kentlyn@ntahc.org.au

Ph: 08 8944 7777

Darwin

Care & Support Coordinator

Mark Halton

mark.halton@ntahc.org.au

Ph: 08 8944 7777


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