Comprehensive HIV Care & Treatment
Living with HIV today means living well with the right care and support. At PHC, we provide compassionate, confidential services for people newly diagnosed or already in treatment. Our team offers state-of-the-art antiretroviral therapy (ART), regular health monitoring, and personalized care plans to help you stay healthy, achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load, and prevent HIV transmission. From medical management to mental-health and community resources, we’re here to support every aspect of your journey.
HIV Basics
Clinical HIV Care: Treatment That Saves Lives
Why It Matters
HIV weakens the immune system by targeting CD4 T cells, making individuals vulnerable to opportunistic infections and certain cancers.
Prompt initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and maintaining adherence can ensure a long and healthy life.
Effective ART suppresses the viral load to undetectable levels, enabling the immune system to recover and eliminating the risk of sexual HIV transmission. Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U).
What to Expect in Clinical HIV Care
1. Rapid ART Start
Treatment is initiated as soon as HIV is diagnosed, regardless of CD4 count, to improve outcomes and reduce transmission risk
2. Initial Work-Up
Baseline labs include viral load, CD4 count, kidney & liver function, and tests for other infections (hepatitis, STIs).
3. Regular Monitoring
Viral load and CD4 tests every 1–3 months until suppression is achieved, then every 3–6 months to confirm ongoing control.
Screen for side effects, adverse drug interactions, and manage comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, and mental health concerns.
4. Opportunistic Infection (OI) Prevention
Prophylaxis for OIs (e.g., PCP, TB) is provided if CD4 counts drop below thresholds and stopped once the immune system recovers.
5. Holistic Care Approach
HIV treatment includes behavioral health, substance use counseling, nutrition, and reproductive health support.
Shared decision making ensures treatment aligns with patient lifestyle, values, and goals.
6. LongTerm Management
Ongoing care focuses on health screening: heart disease, bone density, cancer, dental health, and overall wellness.
Care is completely integrated: patients remain connected with trusted providers and community resources.
HIV Treatment Options
Oral ART Regimens
Long-Acting Injectable ART
Long-Acting Injectable ART
Standard treatment mixes three or more antiretroviral drugs across two or more classes, such as integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs), nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), or protease inhibitors, often in a single daily pill format.
Common regimens include
- Biktarvy® (bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide)
A widely used as first-line therapy due to its efficacy, tolerability, and simplicity.
- Dovato® (dolutegravir/lamivudine)
One of the first FDA-approved 2-drug regimens for treatment-naïve patients.
- Genvoya® (elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide)
Contains cobicistat, a “booster” that enhances drug levels of elvitegravir.
- Descovy® + Tivicay® (emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide + dolutegravir)
Descovy is also used as a PrEP option for men and transgender women.
- Odefsey® (rilpivirine/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide)
Must be taken with a meal of at least 400 calories for proper absorption.
Long-Acting Injectable ART
Long-Acting Injectable ART
Long-Acting Injectable ART
For patients needing alternatives to daily pills, injectables can help improve adherence and simplify care for those facing pill fatigue or adherence challenges.
Common regimens include
- Cabenuva® (cabotegravir + rilpivirine)
Given as intramuscular injections every 2 months, it’s the first complete long-acting regimen for HIV treatment.
- Sunlenca® (lenacapavir)
An injectable option administered every 6 months for heavily treatment-experienced patients.
Clinical Goals & Outcomes
Immune restoration, evidenced by rising CD4 counts, that leads to reduction in risk of OIs and cancer.
Viral suppression to ideal undetectable levels (< 200 copies/mL) leading to an effective normal life expectancy.
Prevention of HIV transmission, both sexually and to newborns, through treatment as prevention and U=U.
Enhanced quality of life; mental, emotional, and social well-being reinforced by psychosocial support.
Book an Appointment with Dino Romero, M.D.
Virtual or in-person visits available at all locations. We accept Medicare, Medicaid, most commercial plans, and offer clear flat-rate pricing for uninsured patients.
Walk-Ins Welcome!
We love our patients, so feel free to visit during normal business hours.
PHC Health and Wellness
Address: 1955 1st Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713, USA
Phone: (727) 322-2925 Fax: (727) 290-6018
Hours
Open today | 08:00 am – 05:00 pm |