Moving my HIV Treatment from Brazil to Ireland

When I received my HIV diagnosis, I was in Brazil, spending time with my family.

At that point, I had already been living in Dublin for nearly five years.

The diagnosis was a shock.
But one of my first thoughts was practical:

How am I going to continue my treatment when I go back to Ireland?
Can I access HIV treatment in Ireland as an immigrant?

And the answer was yes.

Ireland has a strong healthcare system when it comes to HIV care.
Treatment is available, and being HIV positive does not affect your visa status - that was something that gave me a lot of peace of mind.

Starting HIV treatment in Brazil before moving

At the time, I didn’t know much about HIV.
But I did know that Brazil has one of the most advanced public systems for HIV treatment.

After my diagnosis, I was able to:

• enter the public healthcare system

• begin the process for treatment

• prepare for my return to Ireland

Depending on your situation, doctors in Brazil may provide extra medication if you’re moving abroad.
In my case, I received a six-month supply of HIV medication.

Bringing HIV medication to Ireland

Having a supply of medication is extremely helpful.

It gives you:

• time to organise your care

• less stress while waiting for appointments

• continuity in your treatment (which is hugely important)

If you are planning to move, speak to your doctor about this in advance.

Do you need new tests when starting treatment in Ireland?

Yes.

Even if you bring medical records from another country, clinics in Ireland will usually require:

• updated blood tests

• local medical assessment

I brought all my results from Brazil, which helped - but I still needed to repeat tests before continuing treatment.

How to access HIV care in Dublin

I booked my appointment through the GUIDE Clinic Website.

They provide services such as:

• HIV treatment

• PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)

• PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis)

• STI testing & treatment

Appointments can be limited, so it’s important to check regularly.
If your situation is urgent, you can also contact them directly.

How long does it take to start treatment?

In my experience, the process was smooth.

Because I had a six-month supply of medication, I had enough time to:

• wait for my appointment

• complete new tests

• officially transfer my care

I was seen well before my medication ran out.

What is HIV care like in Ireland?

From my experience, HIV care in Ireland is:

• professional

• accessible

• supportive

The healthcare teams are experienced, and I’ve never had issues with my treatment.

Does HIV affect your ability to live abroad?

No.

Living with HIV does not stop you from:

• travelling

• moving countries

• building your life

What it does require is:

• planning, awareness and knowing how to access treatment in your new country

Final thoughts

When I was first diagnosed, I thought everything would change.
And in some ways, it did - but not in the way I feared.
Life didn’t stop - I just had to learn how to navigate it differently.

If you’re thinking about moving to Ireland and have questions about HIV treatment, you’re not alone - and it’s more possible than it might feel right now.

If you need help or want to understand the process better, feel free to reach out, I’d be happy to help.

- With love, Phellipe

How did I start my HIV treatment in Ireland after coming back from Brazil:

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