HIV/AIDS Information, Testing, & Treatment

The New York City AIDS Memorial is not a healthcare provider. We share this information as part of our mission to honor those lost to AIDS, educate the public, and promote awareness about HIV today.

HIV remains a public health issue in New York City and around the world. Advances in testing, treatment, and prevention mean that people living with HIV can live long, healthy lives.

Access to accurate information is essential to protecting health, confronting stigma, and sustaining the progress made over decades of activism, research, and community response. For personal medical questions or concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare provider.

Quick Resource Directory

NYC Health + Hospitals:
Call 1-844-NYC-4NYC (1-844-692-4692)

Find a Testing Site:
Text "TESTNYC" to 55676

General Info in NYC:
Call 311

NY State HIV Hotline:
English-Language: 1-800-541-2437
Spanish-Language: 1-800-233-7432

CDC National HIV Hotline:
1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)

About HIV and AIDS

  • HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that affects a person’s immune system over time. The immune system is the body’s natural defense against infections and disease. When HIV is untreated, it can make it harder for the body to fight off infections and certain cancers. With treatment, people living with HIV can maintain a strong immune system and lead long, healthy lives.

  • AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a condition that can develop if HIV is untreated. A diagnosis of AIDS may be made if a person living with HIV experiences certain serious infections or if tests show that their immune system is significantly weakened by the virus. It usually takes several years for HIV to affect the immune system to this degree, and with effective treatment, people living with HIV can prevent AIDS from developing.

  • Many people living with HIV have few or no symptoms for months or even years. Feeling well does not mean HIV is not affecting the immune system, and people without symptoms can still transmit HIV to others. This is why testing and treatment are essential.

    How HIV Is Transmitted

    HIV is transmitted when certain bodily fluids—blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breastmilk—enter another person’s bloodstream or mucous membranes. Common ways HIV can be transmitted include:

    • Unprotected sexual activity: Anal, vaginal, or oral sex without a condom or protective barrier

    • Sharing injection equipment: Needles, syringes, cookers, cotton, or water used for injecting drugs

    • Parent-to-child transmission: During pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. With proper medical care and treatment, people living with HIV can greatly reduce the risk of passing HIV to their baby. Consult a healthcare provider if you are pregnant and living with HIV

    How HIV Is Not Transmitted

    HIV cannot be spread through casual contact or everyday activities, such as:

    • Kissing, hugging, shaking hands, or touching intact skin

    • Sharing utensils, phones, water fountains, or toilet seats

    • Airborne exposure like sneezing or coughing

    • Insect or animal bites

    HIV cannot enter the body through intact skin. Saliva, sweat, and tears do not transmit HIV.

HIV Testing

Anyone can get tested for HIV. Testing is confidential and widely available in New York City.

Many clinics offer free or low-cost testing. Rapid tests can provide results in about 20 minutes.

Early detection allows individuals to begin treatment right away, protecting their health and preventing transmission to others.

Find HIV Testing in NYC

If you need help finding services, call 311 in New York City. Click here or scroll down for a list of HIV testing and treatment resources by borough.

Treatment: HIV Is Manageable

HIV is treated with antiretroviral therapy, or ART. These medications work by blocking the virus from making copies of itself inside the body. When HIV cannot reproduce, the amount of virus in the blood drops to very low levels. Treatment is recommended for everyone diagnosed with HIV and should begin as soon as possible.

Today’s HIV medications are highly effective and much easier to take than in the early years of the epidemic. Many people take one pill once a day. Some people may choose a long-acting injectable treatment given every one to two months. A healthcare provider can help determine the best option.

With consistent treatment:

  • The amount of virus in the blood can become undetectable.

  • The immune system remains strong and able to fight infections.

  • The risk of HIV-related illness drops dramatically.

  • Life expectancy can be near normal.

HIV treatment requires regular medical visits and lab tests to monitor viral load and overall health. Staying on medication as prescribed is important to keep the virus suppressed.

With modern treatment and ongoing care, HIV is a manageable chronic condition.

Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U)

People living with HIV who maintain an undetectable viral load cannot sexually transmit HIV. This is a medical fact supported by extensive scientific research. Treatment protects both individual health and public health.

Prevention Options

Several proven tools help prevent HIV:

Condoms
When used correctly, condoms are highly effective at preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)
PrEP significantly reduces the risk of acquiring HIV. It is available as a daily oral medication or as a long-acting injectable. In 2025, the U.S. approved the first twice-yearly injectable PrEP option, expanding prevention choices for people who prefer not to take a daily pill. More information on PrEP can be found here.

PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis)
PEP is an emergency medication that must be started within 72 hours after possible exposure to HIV. If you think you were exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, you can take emergency medication (PEP) to prevent infection.

  • Call the 24/7 NYC PEP Hotline: 844-3-PEPNYC (844-373-7692)

  • Go to any Emergency Room or NYC Sexual Health Clinic immediately.

Harm Reduction
Access to sterile syringes and harm reduction programs helps prevent HIV transmission among people who inject drugs.

PrEP and PEP are available at NYC sexual health clinics, many community health centers, and NYC Health + Hospitals locations, regardless of insurance.

HIV in New York City Today

More than four decades after the start of the epidemic, HIV remains a public health issue in New York City.

Advances in testing, treatment, and prevention have significantly reduced new diagnoses and HIV-related deaths. Most people receiving consistent care achieve viral suppression and can live long, healthy lives.

HIV does not affect all communities equally. Disparities persist among:

  • Black and Latino New Yorkers

  • Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM)

  • Transgender women

  • Communities facing barriers to healthcare, housing, and economic stability

While biomedical progress has transformed what living with HIV looks like today, equitable access to prevention and treatment remains essential.

Public awareness and continued investment in care are critical to ending the epidemic in New York City.

Rights & Confidentiality

New York State has some of the strongest HIV privacy protections in the country under Public Health Law Article 27-F.

HIV testing is confidential. A person’s HIV status cannot be disclosed without written consent, except in limited circumstances defined by law.

Discrimination based on HIV status is illegal under New York State Human Rights Law and other civil rights protections. It is unlawful to discriminate in employment, housing, healthcare, public accommodations, or social services because of someone’s HIV status.

People living with HIV have the right to:

  • Confidential testing and medical care

  • Clear information about treatment options

  • Access to prevention and support services

  • Protection from discrimination and harassment

  • Reasonable accommodations in the workplace when medically necessary

If you believe your rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights or seek assistance from legal advocacy organizations.

Protecting privacy, dignity, and equal access to care remains central to the ongoing HIV response.

Why HIV Awareness Still Matters

The AIDS epidemic reshaped New York City and the world. Medicine and prevention have changed what living with HIV looks like today, but accurate information, compassionate care, and public awareness remain essential.

The New York City AIDS Memorial honors those lost to AIDS and supports understanding its ongoing impact.

HIV/AIDS Testing & Treatment Resources By Borough

Paying for Treatment

If you do not have insurance, there are programs specifically designed to cover 100% of your HIV care costs.

  • ADAP (AIDS Drug Assistance Program): Provides free HIV medications and primary care to uninsured or underinsured New Yorkers.

  • Ryan White Care Coordination: A city-wide program that helps you navigate your doctor visits and stay on your medication.

  • Amida Care & MetroPlusHealth: Special Needs Plans (SNPs) that provide targeted Medicaid coverage for people living with HIV

Information reviewed for accuracy: February 2026. For medical advice, please consult a qualified healthcare provider.