Frequently Asked Questions

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It's a virus that attacks the body's immune system, the part of your body that fights infections. Specifically, HIV targets important white blood cells called CD4 or T helper cells. If HIV is left untreated, it weakens the immune system over time, making it harder for your body to fight off infections and certain cancers. The good news is that HIV is no longer the disease it was decades ago.

With today's medications, people living with HIV can live long, healthy, productive lives. Most people who take their medications every day become undetectable, meaning the virus is so well controlled that it cannot be passed on through sex. That's what we mean by U=U. Undetectable equals untransmittable. The most important thing to remember is that HIV is preventable, it's treatable, and today people living with HIV can look forward to a full and healthy future.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

HIV is spread when certain body fluids from a person living with HIV enter another person's bloodstream. The most common ways are through unprotected sex, sharing needles or syringes, or from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding if she is not receiving treatment. The good news is that HIV is not spread through everyday contact. You cannot get HIV from hugging, shaking hands, sharing food or drinks, using the same toilet, swimming pools, coughing, sneezing, mosquito bites, or simply being around someone living with HIV.

One of the biggest advances in HIV medicine is something called U equals U. Undetectable equals untransmittable. When a person living with HIV takes their medication and maintains an undetectable viral load, they do not transmit HIV through sex. That's one of the greatest medical breakthroughs of our lifetime. The bottom line is this. HIV is preventable. Between condoms, PrEP, PEP, hopefully future vaccines, and effective treatment for people living with HIV, we have more tools than ever before to stop new infections.

Knowledge replaces fear. Understanding how HIV is and isn't transmitted is one of the most powerful steps you can take to protect yourself and those you love.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

Absolutely not. Absolutely not. You cannot get HIV from hugging, shaking hands, kissing on the cheek, sharing food, sharing drinks, using the same toilet, swimming in the same pool, or simply being around someone living with HIV. Even casual touching, coughing, sneezing, tears, sweat, or saliva do not spread HIV. HIV is actually a very fragile virus outside the body. It can only be transmitted through certain body fluids, blood, semen, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, and breast milk, and only when those fluids enter another person's bloodstream or mucous membranes.

I think this is one of the biggest misconceptions that still exists today. In the early years of the HIV epidemic, people were terrified because we didn't understand how the virus spread. Some people were afraid to hug someone with HIV or even eat with them. We know today that those fears were completely unfounded. So let me reassure you, you cannot catch HIV through everyday contact. Hug your friends, share a meal, shake hands, show compassion.

And remember, people living with HIV who are on effective treatment and remain undetectable, cannot sexually transmit HIV. That's the science behind U=U. Undetectable equals untransmittable. Knowledge replaces fear. And that's exactly what we're here to do at Opt2Care.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

This is a question that has changed over the years because medicine has changed. Back in the early 1980s, before we even knew what was causing the illness, doctors began seeing young, otherwise healthy people developing severe immune suppression and life-threatening infections. We called that condition acquired immune deficiency syndrome or AIDS, because that's exactly what we were seeing, an acquired loss of immune system.

A few years later, we discovered the cause HIV, a virus, the human immunodeficiency virus. Today, I think about this very differently than we did 40 years ago. HIV is a chronic viral infection. It exists on a spectrum from someone with completely normal immune system to someone with significant immune suppression. Because we now diagnose HIV early and have remarkably effective treatment, most people never develop the severe immune deficiency that was once so common called AIDS.

In that sense, the term AIDS has become somewhat antiquated. In everyday medical practice, I spend far more time talking about HIV viral suppression, CD4 counts, and long-term health than I do about AIDS. That doesn't mean AIDS isn't real. It still describes someone whose immune system has become severely damaged by untreated HIV, and unfortunately, we still see it in people who are diagnosed very late or who have been unable to access care.

But the important message today is this. HIV is treatable. If you know your status, start treatment early and stay on therapy. You can expect to live a long, healthy life. In almost every case, you'll never develop what we used to call AIDS. When I give public talks, I may still use the word AIDS, because people immediately understand the seriousness of the epidemic. But when I'm taking care of patients, I think in terms of a virus called HIV, a chronic, manageable viral infection that, thanks to modern medicine, is no longer the devastating disease it once was.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

When HIV isn't treated, it slowly attacks your immune system, specifically the white blood cells that protect you from infections and certain cancers. At first, you may feel completely healthy. In fact, many people with HIV don't have any symptoms for years. But during that time, the virus is still damaging the immune system. As those protective cells disappear, your body becomes less able to fight infections. Eventually, people can develop serious illnesses like pneumonia, pneumocystis, tuberculosis, certain cancers, or infections that a healthy immune system would normally control.

That's what we call AIDS, the most advanced stage of HIV. The good news is that today, this is almost completely preventable. Modern HIV medications are incredibly effective. Most people who start treatment early can expect to live long, healthy lives with a normal life expectancy. Even better, when treatment lowers the virus to an undetectable level, you cannot pass HIV to your sexual partners. That's called undetectable equals untransmittable, or U=U.

And it's one of the greatest advances in HIV medicine. So my message is simple. Do not be afraid of getting tested. Be afraid of not knowing. HIV is no longer a death sentence, but only if you find it and treat it. At Opt2Care, we're here to help every step of the way.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

Not yet, but we're closer today than we've ever been before. Today we can treat HIV so effectively that most people who take their medication become undetectable, stay healthy, and live long, full lives. That's an incredible achievement. But treatment isn't the same as a cure. A cure means HIV is gone or permanently controlled without the need for ongoing medication. That would be called a functional cure. We're not there yet, but we're making remarkable progress.

I've had the privilege of caring for people living with HIV for more than 40 years, and I've also been involved in many of the research studies developing the next generation of HIV treatments. Today scientists around the world are studying therapeutic vaccines, broadly neutralizing antibodies, immune therapies, gene editing, and other exciting approaches that may one day lead to a functional cure or even possibly a complete cure.

At Opt2Care, we believe research is hope. Every breakthrough we've made from modern HIV treatment to PrEP started in a clinical trial. That research happening today is bringing us closer than ever to a future without HIV. So can we cure HIV today? Not yet. Do I believe we'll get there? Absolutely. And I hope to see that day in my lifetime.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

The simple answer is almost everyone should know their HIV status at least once. The CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and death be tested for HIV at least once, one time as part of a routine health care. If you're sexually active and have multiple partners, are a man who has sex with men, inject drugs, have another sexually transmitted infection, or have a partner living with HIV, you should be tested more regularly, sometimes every three to six months.

But here's what I tell my patients, HIV doesn't care who you are. It doesn't care about your age, your gender, your sexual orientation, your race, your religion, or where you live. I've diagnosed HIV in teenagers, grandparents, married couples, doctors, teachers, business owners. You simply cannot tell who has HIV by looking at them. Getting tested is quick, confidential, and one of the smartest things you can do for your health.

If your test is negative but you're at ongoing risk, we can talk about PrEP to help keep you HIV negative. And if your test is positive, today's treatments are so effective that you can live a long, healthy life and even reach the point where you can't sexually transmit the virus to others. At Opt2Care, we believe that knowing your status is empowering. Whether the test is positive or negative, we'll help you take the next step with compassion and without judgment.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

Yes, it is confidential. Your privacy is extremely important to us. Just like any other medical test, your HIV test results are protected by federal and state privacy laws. We do not share your results with your family, your employer, your friends, or anyone else without your permission, except where public health reporting is required by law. I know many people worry. What if someone finds out? I've heard that concern for more than 40 years.

Some people are worried about their family, their job, their insurance, or what others might think. At Opt2Care, we take those concerns seriously. We treat every patient with dignity, respect, and complete professionalism. Our goal is to create a safe place. A safe place where you can ask questions, get tested, and receive care without fear of being judged. If you have concerns about privacy, tell us. We'll explain exactly how your information is protected and answer every question you have before testing.

Don't let fear keep you from knowing your status. Your health is too important, and we're here to protect both your health and your privacy.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

That's a great question because the answer depends on the type of HIV test that's being used. After someone is exposed to HIV, there's what we call a window period. During that time, the virus is beginning to multiply, but it may not yet be detectable by every test. The most common blood test we use today is a fourth generation HIV test. It can usually detect HIV as early as two to four weeks after exposure, with most infections being detected by about six weeks.

We also have HIV RNA tests, sometimes called viral load or nucleic acid tests. These can detect the virus even earlier, often within 10 to 14 days after exposure. We use those when someone has had a very recent high-risk exposure or has symptoms that make us suspicious for acute HIV infection. If you think you've been exposed, don't wait to get help. If it's been less than 72 hours, you may be a candidate for PEP, an emergency medication that can prevent HIV infection if started quickly.

And if your first test for HIV is negative, but it was done very soon after the exposure, don't assume you're in the clear. We may need to repeat the test at the right time to be certain. The most important thing is this. Don't wait. Do not wait because you're afraid. The sooner you come in, the more options we have to help you.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

If you're scared to be tested, I want you to know something. You're not alone. I've been caring for people with HIV for over 40 years, and I've met thousands of people who were afraid to take that first step. They're afraid of what the result might be. They're afraid of being judged. They're afraid their life will change forever. I was afraid to do my very first test when the test became available, and I was negative.

I understand those fears, but here's what I've learned. The fear of not knowing is almost always worse than knowing. If your test is negative, you'll have peace of mind, and if you're at risk, you can help keep you HIV negative with PrEP. If your test is positive, remember this. HIV today is a very treatable medical condition. People who start treatment early can live long, healthy, productive lives. Many people become undetectable, which means they can't sexually transmit HIV to their partners.

At Opt2Care, you're never just a test result. You are a person. You'll be treated with dignity, respect, compassion, and without judgment. So if you're afraid, come anyway. We'll answer your questions. We'll stand beside you, and whatever the result is, you won't face it alone. That's our promise.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. That's a medical term that simply means taking medication before you're exposed to HIV to prevent HIV infection. Think of it like wearing a seat belt. You put it on before you need it, not after. PrEP works the same way. It protects you before you're exposed to HIV. Today, PrEP is one of the most effective ways we have to prevent HIV. When taken as prescribed, it reduces the risk of getting HIV by well over 99% from sexual exposure.

The exciting part is that you now have choices. Some people prefer a daily pill. Others like taking pills only around the time they have sex, if that's appropriate for them. Many people choose a long-acting injection that provides protection for months at a time. At Opt2Care, we'll help you decide which option fits your life, your health, and your goals. There's no one-size-fits-all answer, just the option that's right for you.

My message is simple. If you're at risk for HIV, you don't have to live with that worry. PrEP can give you protection, confidence, and peace of mind.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

One of the biggest misconceptions about PrEP is that there's only one kind. The truth is today we have several highly effective options, and the best one is simply the one that fits your life best. The first option is a daily pill. You take one pill every day, and when taken consistently, it provides excellent protection from HIV. For some people, there's also an on-demand PrEP, sometimes called 2-1-1 dosing. Instead of taking a pill every day, you take two pills the day before sex, and one pill daily for two days after sex.

This option is only recommended for certain individuals, so we'll help determine if it's right for you. Another option is a long-acting injection. Instead of remembering a daily pill, you receive an injection once every two months, or another type of injection once every six months. Many people love this because they don't have to think about taking a medication every day. And we're entering an exciting era of new research.

Now looking at once a year PrEP injections. Imagine protecting yourself from HIV with just one injection a year. I've had the privilege of helping lead some of this groundbreaking research, and it's changing the future of HIV prevention. The important thing to remember is this. There isn't just one best PrEP. There's the best PrEP for you. At Opt2Care, we'll talk about your lifestyle, your health, your insurance, and your preferences. And together, we'll choose the option that works best for your life. Protection should fit your life, not the other way around.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

My answer is actually very simple. If there's any reasonable chance you could be exposed to HIV, you should at least have a conversation about PrEP. Many people think PrEP is only for gay men. That couldn't be further from the truth. PrEP is for anyone at risk of HIV. Men, women, transgenders, straight, gay, bisexual, or anyone whose circumstances put them at risk. You should consider PrEP if you have sex with partners whose HIV status you don't know, have more than one sexual partner, have had a recent sexually transmitted infection, have a partner living with HIV who is not consistently undetectable or whose treatment status is unknown.

Inject drugs and share needles or equipment. Or if you simply want the peace of mind that comes with being protected. One thing I tell my patients is this. You don't have to prove you're high risk to deserve protection. PrEP isn't about judging one's lifestyle. It's about preventing an infection that is almost entirely preventable. Today we have several excellent options. Some people prefer a daily pill. Others choose an injection that's given just twice a year.

And we're now studying options that may last even longer. The best PrEP is the one that fits your life. If you're not sure whether PrEP is right for you, ask. That's what we're here for. Sometimes a five-minute conversation is all it takes to decide whether PrEP makes sense. I'd much rather have that conversation today than have to tell someone tomorrow they have HIV.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

Absolutely. In fact, PrEP can be one of the most empowering health care decisions a woman can make. Many people mistakenly think PrEP is only for gay men, but that's simply not true. Any woman who may be at risk for HIV can benefit from PrEP. That includes women whose partner is living with HIV, women whose partner's HIV status is unknown, women with multiple partners, or anyone who feel they may be at increased risk.

Today, women have more options than ever. There are daily pills, and now there are long-acting injectable forms of PrEP that provide protection for months at a time. Together, we'll talk about your lifestyle, your medical history, and your preferences to find the option that's right for you. At Opt2Care, our goal is simple. To make health prevention easy, confidential, and judgment-free. You deserve to take control of your health, and we're here to help you do exactly that.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

Yes. If you're the top, you can still get HIV, and that's something many people don't realize. Being the insertive partner carries a lower risk than being the receptive partner at the bottom. But it is definitely not zero. HIV can enter through the urethra, small cuts or abrasions on the penis, or through contact with infected body fluids. If you have sex with partners whose HIV status you don't know, have multiple partners, or don't always use condoms, PrEP is still an excellent option.

It reduces your risk of getting HIV by more than 99% when taken as prescribed. I always tell my patients this. HIV doesn't care what sexual position you prefer. If there's a chance of exposure, protect yourself. PrEP gives you that protection and the peace of mind to enjoy your life without constantly worrying about HIV.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

This is probably the most common question I hear and the answer is reassuring. PrEP has been studied in hundreds of thousands of people around the world and has an excellent safety record. For most people, it's very well tolerated. Some people notice mild side effects when they first start, such as an upset stomach, headache, or nausea. These are usually temporary and often disappear within the first few weeks. Many people have no side effects at all.

If you're taking a daily pill, we'll make sure it's the right one for you by reviewing your medical history and checking your kidney function if needed. If you choose a long acting injection, the most common side effect is some soreness where the injection is given. Most people tell me it's mild and lasts only a day or two. One of the things I like most about PrEP is that we don't just hand you a prescription and send you on your way.

We'll see you regularly, answer your questions, and make sure everything is going well. I've cared for people living with HIV for more than 40 years and I've seen firsthand how life-changing prevention can be. In my opinion, the small possibility of mild side effects is far outweighed by the protection PrEP provides against HIV. If one type of PrEP isn't the right fit for you, that's okay. Today we have choices and together we'll find the option that best fits your life. My goal is simple, to keep you healthy, protected, and confident in the decisions you make.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

Yes, in fact, not having insurance should never stop you from asking about PrEP. At Opt2Care, one of our most important missions is helping people overcome barriers to HIV prevention. If you don't have insurance, we'll work with you to explore patient assistance programs, manufacturer programs, community resources, and other options that may provide PrEP at little or no cost. Every person's situation is different, so we don't believe in a one-size-fits-all answer.

We'll sit down with you, understand your circumstances, and help you find the best path forward. The most important thing is this. Don't assume you can't afford PrEP. Let us help you. We've helped many people who thought HIV prevention was out of reach, discovered that it wasn't. Your financial situation should never be the reason you become infected with HIV. At Opt2Care, we're committed to do everything we can to help you get the protection you deserve.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

Yes, you should contact us. If you're 16 years old and you're worried about HIV or think you may have a sexually transmitted infection, don't let your age stop you from reaching out. In Texas, there are situations where minors can receive confidential testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and there may also be options for HIV prevention, including PrEP, depending on your individual circumstances and the laws that apply.

The most important thing is not to wait because you're afraid or unsure. We'll listen to your situation, explain your options, answer your questions, and help you understand what services you can receive confidentially. At Opt2Care, you'll never be judged. Whether you need HIV testing, STI testing, and treatment, information about PrEP, or simply someone to talk to, we're here to help. As I tell my patients, asking for help is one of the smartest healthcare decisions you can make. We'd much rather answer your questions today than have you face a preventable health problem tomorrow.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

That's a great question and it's one I hear all the time. PrEP is incredibly effective at preventing HIV, but it does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea, chlamydia, or syphilis. Think of PrEP as wearing a seat belt. A seat belt does an excellent job protecting you in a car accident, but it doesn't prevent every other possible injury. In the same way PrEP is designed to prevent one specific infection, HIV, and it does that remarkably well when taken correctly.

That's why regular sexual health screening is so important. At Opt2Care we recommend routine testing for other STDs because many of them have no symptoms. You can feel perfectly healthy and still have an infection that needs treatment. The good news is that most bacterial STDs like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis are treatable, especially when they're found early. For some people at higher risk of bacterial STDs, another prevention option called DoxyPEP, taking an antibiotic after sex, may also help reduce the risk of certain infections.

It's not right for everyone, but it's something we can discuss to see if it's appropriate for you. So remember this, PrEP protects you from HIV, regular testing helps protect you from everything else. The best sexual health plan combines HIV prevention, routine STD screening, honest conversations with your health care provider, and a prevention plan that's personalized for you.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

If you stop taking PrEP, the protection doesn't disappear overnight, but it does wear off. How quickly depends on which type of PrEP you're using. If you're taking daily PrEP pills, you shouldn't just stop the day after your last sexual exposure. In general, you need to continue taking it for a period of time after your last potential HIV exposure so the medication can continue protecting you. If you're receiving the long-acting PrEP injections, it's even more important to talk with your healthcare provider before stopping the injections.

The medication stays in your body for many months. As the drug level slowly falls, it may no longer be high enough to prevent HIV, but can still be present at low levels. During that time, if you're exposed to HIV, there is a risk of becoming infected and potentially to developing drug-resistant virus. The good news is that you can stop PrEP as your risk changes. You just want to do it safely and with a plan. Talk with your provider first so we can make sure you're protected during that transition. I tell my patients all the time, starting PrEP is easy. Stopping PrEP should be a conversation, not a decision you make on your own.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

Absolutely. Today, a person living with HIV who is diagnosed early, takes their medication consistently, and stays in medical care can expect to live a long, healthy, and productive life. In many cases, their life expectancy is close to that of someone without HIV. I've been caring for people with HIV for more than 40 years, and I've watched this transformation firsthand. In the early days of the epidemic, we lost far too many people because we had no effective treatments.

Today, I see my patients raising families, building careers, traveling the world, retiring, and enjoying life. Many people living with HIV just take one pill a day, while others receive long-acting injections every couple of months. Most become undetectable, which means the virus is so well controlled, they cannot sexually transmit HIV to their partners. That's the science behind U=U. Undetectable equals untransmittable.

And the key is getting tested, starting treatment if needed, and staying engaged in care. So if you've just been diagnosed, I want you to hear this from someone who has walked this journey with thousands of patients. Your life is not over. Your dreams, your career, your relationships, your family, and your future are still there. HIV is now a medical condition we can successfully manage, and there is every reason to have hope. At Opt2Care, our goal is not simply to help you survive. We want to help you live your healthiest, fullest life.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

Absolutely. Today, people living with HIV can have healthy pregnancies and healthy HIV negative children. If you're living with HIV and taking your medication every day, or as recommended, we can usually lower the virus to an undetectable level. When that happens, the risk of passing HIV to your baby becomes extremely low. Less than 1%, and with proper medical care, it's often close to zero. The same is true for men living with HIV.

If a man is on treatment and has been undetectable, he cannot sexually transmit HIV to his partner. Many couples have safely conceived naturally under the guidance of their health care team. I've had the privilege of caring for many people living with HIV who have gone on to have healthy HIV negative children. Years ago, we thought that wasn't possible. Today, it's something we celebrate. So if you're living with HIV and dreaming of having a family, don't give up on that dream.

Talk with your health care provider. Plan ahead. Stay on treatment. And let us help guide you every step of the way. At Opt2Care, we want you to know that HIV doesn't have to stop you from living the life you want, including becoming a parent.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

Absolutely. One of the biggest myths I've seen over the last four decades is that an HIV diagnosis means your life is over or that no one will ever love you again. That simply is not true. People living with HIV fall in love, get married, have healthy relationships, build families, and live full meaningful lives every single day. When you're taking your medication and become undetectable, you cannot sexually transmit HIV to your partner.

It has changed millions of lives around the world. I've had the privilege of watching patients meet someone special, get married, celebrate anniversaries, and even have HIV negative children. Those moments remind me that HIV doesn't define who you are. Your diagnosis does not determine your worth. It doesn't take away your ability to love or to be loved. At Opt2Care, we want you to know that your future is still full of possibilities.

HIV may become part of your story, but it does not have to write the ending. There is hope, there is love, and there is a wonderful life waiting for you.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

If you can't afford treatment, please don't let that stop you from getting tested or asking for help. One of the biggest myths about HIV care is that if you don't have money, you can't get treatment. In reality, there are many programs that help people receive HIV medications and medical care, even if they don't have insurance. At Opt2Care, one of our most important jobs is helping people navigate those programs. We'll work with you to find the resources you're eligible for, whether that's insurance assistance, medication assistance, or other community programs.

And because Opt2Care partners closely with our research center, some people may also qualify for a clinical research study. Depending on the study, that can include the study medication, laboratory testing, and medical care at no cost while helping advance the future of HIV treatment and prevention. The most important thing is this. Don't stay away because you're worried about the cost. Come talk to us. We'll sit down with you, learn about your situation, and do everything we can to help you get the care you need. No one should go without care simply because they can't afford it. At Opt2Care, we're committed to helping you find a path forward.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

I understand why you're worried. I've been caring for people affected by HIV for more than 40 years, and I've heard just about every fear imaginable. Some families are incredibly supportive, others are not. Some people worry about being judged, others worry that if they're on a parent's insurance, an explanation of benefits could reveal they're receiving care for HIV. I've even had patients tell me their family wanted them to leave town so no one would find out.

If any of those concerns sound familiar, please know this, you are not alone and you don't have to figure it out by yourself. At Opt2Care, we take your privacy seriously. We'll talk with you about your specific situation and help you understand your options. Sometimes there are ways to receive services that better protect your confidentiality. Every person's circumstances are different and we'll work with you to find the safest path forward.

Most importantly, don't let fear keep you from getting the care or protection you need. We've helped many people navigate these very same concerns and we're here to help you too. You deserve healthcare that is respectful, confidential, and free from judgment. That's exactly what you'll find at Opt2Care.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

If you ask me, can someone like me really be helped? My answer is almost always yes. Yes. I've been taking care of people with HIV for more than 40 years. And one thing I've learned is that every person's story is different. Some people are scared. Some have no insurance. Some are worried their families will find out. Some don't speak English. Some have been turned away before. Some are afraid they'll be judged because of who they are or who they love.

I've heard it all. And I've learned that the biggest barrier isn't usually HIV. It's fear. If you're asking this question, you're already taking the hardest step. You're reaching out. At Opt2Care, we don't expect your life to be perfect before we help you. We help you where you are. Whether you need HIV testing, PrEP, treatment, help paying for medications, a research opportunity, or just someone who will listen without judging you, that's why we're here.

You don't have to have all the answers. You don't have to know where to start. That's our job. I've watched medicine go from a time when we couldn't save people to a time when we can prevent HIV, treat HIV, and help people live long, healthy, fulfilling lives. So if you're wondering, can someone like me really be helped? The answer is absolutely. But don't wait. Reach out today. Contact us now. Because the sooner we meet you, the sooner we can start helping, and you may discover that your future is much brighter than you ever imagined.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

I have been a physician for more than 52 years and I've cared for people living with HIV since the very beginning of this epidemic. Looking back, my first hospitalized patient with what we now know was a primary HIV infection was in 1979. At that time, no one knew what HIV was. We couldn't diagnose it because the virus hadn't even been discovered yet. Sadly, he passed away in 1989. But we learned and realized that his illness in 1979 was one of the earliest cases of acute HIV infection ever seen.

Then came the early 1980s. I watched healthy young people become desperately ill from infections we'd rarely seen before and often didn't know how to treat. We had no HIV tests, no treatment, and no answers. We lost far too many patients, friends, and colleagues. I've lived through every chapter of HIV medicine, from fear and uncertainty to the first HIV test, to the first medications that barely worked, to combination therapy, and now to long-acting treatment, long-acting PrEP, and research that's bringing us closer than ever to a functional cure.

I've had the privilege of helping develop many of these advances through clinical research, including caring for the first people in the world to receive several ground-breaking HIV medications. What has never changed is why I do this. Every person who walks through my door deserves compassion, respect, hope, and deserves to be in a safe place. After more than four decades caring for people with HIV, I can honestly say this. I've never been more optimistic about the future than I am today.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

People ask me, Doc, what has been the hardest part of your career? The answer isn't one thing. It was an entire period of my life. I began caring for people with HIV before we had effective treatments. Back then, when someone's immune system failed, there was very little we could do to stop it. At the beginning of every year, I would make a list of every one of my patients whose T4 lymphocyte count was under 100. There was no treatment available.

I knew that before Christmas, about one-third of those names would be gone. Imagine carrying that list around in your mind all year long. If I went to a restaurant or a bar, I'd look around the room and recognize my patients. I usually wouldn't acknowledge them unless they spoke to me first. In those days, simply being seen talking to the HIV doctor could make people wonder if you had HIV. The stigma was that powerful.

Even when I was supposed to be relaxing, I wasn't. I'd find myself thinking, he probably won't make it to Christmas. I don't think she'll see another birthday. That's a very difficult way to live. I stopped traveling because I felt I always had to be available. There were no cell phones, no video visits, no instant communication. If one of my patients became critically ill, I wanted to be there for them. And then there were the funerals.

Families would ask me to speak. I couldn't do it. I never went to a funeral. I cry at funerals. I become too emotional. I realized early on that I simply couldn't stand up and speak while losing so many people I had come to know and love. What frustrated me the most was knowing what was happening inside their bodies and not having the tools to stop it. That's why many of us became researchers. We searched everywhere for anything that might help.

We developed new ways to deliver medications like inhaled pentamidine to prevent pneumocystis pneumonia. We tried experimental therapies. Sometimes we even found ways to obtain promising medications from outside the United States before they were available here because we were desperately looking for something, anything, that might give our patients another chance. Then everything changed. The treatments came. People stopped dying.

Instead of planning funerals, we started planning futures. Today, someone diagnosed with HIV can expect to live a long, healthy life if they receive treatment. That's one of the greatest transformations in the history of medicine. When I look back, those years were incredibly difficult. They changed my social life, my family life, and the way I looked at the world. But would I do it all again without hesitation? Without hesitation.

Yes, without hesitation. Because every life we saved, every person who lived long enough to see better treatments, every family that stayed together made every sacrifice worth it. People sometimes ask me now, after more than 50 years of practicing medicine, why am I still doing HIV care and still doing research? The simple answer, I've seen what HIV looked like when we had nothing. I never want to go back there again.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care

If you come to the Opt2Care website and ask me, Doc, if we were sitting together in your office, what would you want me to know? First, I'd want you to know you are in a safe place here. Whatever brought you to this website, fear, questions, uncertainty, or simply wanting to protect yourself, you've already taken the hardest step by showing up. HIV is no longer the disease it was when I began caring for patients over 40 years ago.

Today, we can prevent it, we can treat it, we can allow you to be who you are and help people live long, healthy lives. You don't have to figure this out alone. My hope is that when you leave this website, you'll have more knowledge, less fear, and the confidence to take the next step. That's why we created Opt2Care. I'm Gordon Crofoot. Thank you for spending these few minutes with me. If you have more questions, keep exploring our website. Together, we can build a future with fewer infections, less stigma, and better lives for everyone.

— Dr. Gordon Crofoot, MD, Medical Director, Opt2Care