People living with HIV in the UK live long and healthy lives and, as HIV is now a chronic health condition like many others, the role of primary care in HIV is pivotal.

Primary care has an important role in:

• testing for HIV to help identify new diagnoses;
• advising on preventative treatments (PrEP and PEP)
• linking people living with HIV into secondary care; and
• managing various aspects of HIV such as vaccines, preventative healthcare, and common co-morbidities. 

HIV as a chronic health condition

People living with HIV are at increased risk of certain co-morbidities including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and frailty. Once patients are established on treatment, HIV care within primary care includes

• Vaccines: annual flu vaccine, PCV-13 on diagnosis of HIV, PCV-23 if at risk
• Cardiovascular risk: statins recommended for everyone aged 40 and older
• Cancer risk: smear test yearly for people with a cervix aged 25 to 64
• Osteoporosis risk: FRAX score every 3 years
• Medications: list anti-retroviral medication on patients’ medical file and assess for drug interactions as needed (see HIV Drug Interactions)