A chronic condition like HIV can affect every area of your life. At University Health, we understand. We provide comprehensive HIV care that's focused on you and your needs. We treat you as a person, not a disease.
We are here to provide you with access to HIV doctors, specialists for other conditions, medications, case management, treatment adherence and other services to help you manage your health.
We are also the primary teaching hospital for the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine. So we have access to the latest evidence-based treatments.
Reviewed 5/10/2022
How HIV spreads: Myth or fact?
HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, can infect anyone—and there is no cure. However, by learning how the virus can and cannot be spread, everyone can take steps to prevent HIV transmission.
Myth or fact: HIV can travel through the air, like a cold or the flu.
Myth. HIV is not spread through air or water. It also isn't spread through casual contact, such as shaking hands, hugging or sharing eating utensils. It can only be spread through direct contact with an infected person's bodily fluids, such as blood or semen.
Myth or fact: HIV can be spread through saliva, such as by kissing.
Myth. HIV is not spread through saliva. It's possible for HIV to be spread by open-mouthed, deep kissing, but only if the infected person has sores or bleeding gums and blood is exchanged. However, it's exceedingly rare for HIV to spread by kissing alone.
Myth or fact: Mothers can spread HIV to their newborns.
Fact. Women infected with HIV can pass the virus on to their babies during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding.
Myth or fact: You can spread HIV by sharing needles with someone who is infected with the virus.
Fact. If you have HIV, you can spread it to others by sharing needles and other equipment used for injecting drugs. You can also transmit other infections, like hepatitis C, by sharing drug equipment. And hepatitis C can cause more damage more quickly in someone with HIV.
Myth or fact: Along with sharing needles, sexual intercourse is the most common way that HIV is spread.
Fact. The riskiest kind of sex for spreading HIV is anal sex. Vaginal sex is the second riskiest type of sex. While oral sex is less risky, the virus can still be spread this way. Using condoms or dental dams can help prevent HIV from being spread in all of these types of intercourse.
Myth or fact: There are no medications to help prevent the spread of HIV.
Myth. While there is no cure for the virus, taking HIV medications can lower the risk that you might transmit the virus to someone else. In addition, people who are at risk of contracting HIV may be able to take a daily pill, known as PrEP, to help lower that threat.
Don't wait for symptoms to develop to find out if you have HIV. If you think you've been exposed to the virus, ask your doctor to give you an HIV test.
Find out more about the HIV test
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; HIV.gov
Expert HIV care
Our HIV team includes physicians who are board-certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases, along with nurses and a nurse practitioner. In addition, we have a support team of caseworkers, social workers and peer educators—people who know what it's like to live with HIV and can offer guidance and an understanding ear.
Our team provides an array of outpatient and inpatient programs and services for HIV-positive patients, including:
- HIV primary care. This includes routine exams, vaccines and everything you need to optimize your health.
- Positive Pregnancy Project. This program works to decrease transmission between women and their babies. Peer educators help HIV-positive mothers navigate care. Download The Positive Pregnancy Guide.
- A treatment adherence program designed to help you stick with your plan of care.
- Individual and group HIV education, provided by peer educators.
- Stanford University's Chronic Disease Management classes. Certified instructors lead these workshops, which teach skills like problem-solving, decision-making and goal-setting that empower people to take charge of their health.
- Nutritional assessment and counseling.
- Laboratory and radiology services.
- Research, including prevention studies and referrals to clinical drug trials.
Your healthcare team isn't limited to the professionals in the infectious diseases clinic. We can refer you to specialists like dietitians or physical therapists, should the need arise. We also work closely with experts in behavioral health to empower our patients to thrive with—not in spite of—a chronic condition.
Ryan White Medical Case Management Services
This free program is available for people who are living with HIV/AIDS. The program's case managers are active members of your healthcare team who will help you with things like service authorizations, including access to Ryan White Primary Care and the AIDS Drug Assistance Program. Your case manager can also help you access mental health and substance abuse counseling and community resources to help out with housing.
To enroll in Ryan White Medical Case Management Services, you must provide proof of HIV status, income and residency. You must also meet with your case manager at least twice a year and participate in your medical care.
Ryan White Medical case managers are available Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm. If you have questions or are ready to enroll, call 816.404.3200.
HIV prevention
We're pleased to offer HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication that can be taken to prevent HIV. It's a good option for people who are HIV-negative but at high risk for the virus.
PrEP is just one pill a day. It contains two medicines that fight HIV. People who take the medication must commit to taking it each day and seeing their doctor regularly.
Contact us
To schedule an appointment or for more information about PrEP or other services, please call 816.404.1885. Clinic hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm.
We accept Medicaid, Medicare, Ryan White Part C and most private insurance.
For information about health services for people with HIV, download this resource directory.