LIVING WITH HIV

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• HIV is manageable like many other chronic diseases.

• Once you have HIV, you have it for life. Unlike some other viruses, you can't get rid of HIV completely.

• People with HIV who get treatment can live long, healthy lives, and protect others.

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HIV treatment (antiretroviral therapy or ART) involves taking medicine to reduce the amount of HIV in your body. When taken as prescribed, HIV medicine can make the amount of virus in your body (viral load) so low that a test can't detect it (undetectable viral load). Getting and keeping an undetectable viral load is the best thing people with HIV can do to stay healthy.

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Healthy Living

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In addition to taking your HIV treatment and seeing your doctor, there are ways to keep yourself healthy and your immune system strong.

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Eat Healthy and Exercise

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Following a healthy diet provides the energy and nutrients you need to fight HIV and other infections. Talk to your doctor about your diet and ask about steps you can take to maintain good nutrition. Exercise helps you maintain good physical and mental health and helps your immune system fight infections. Find a fitness routine that you enjoy.

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Stay up to date with health screenings and vaccinations

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People with HIV have an increased chance of developing severe symptoms from common infections. Keeping up to date on routine screenings and vaccines can help you prevent infection or severe disease.

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Prevent illnesses

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Some illnesses (sometimes called opportunistic infections) occur more often and are more severe in people with HIV. Common severe illnesses include herpes simplex virus, tuberculosis, or pneumonia.

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Today, severe illnesses are less common because of effective HIV treatment. Taking HIV medicine as prescribed by your doctor is the best way to keep your immune system strong and healthy. Talk to your doctor about things that could expose you to illnesses at work, at home, and on vacation. If you get an illness, talk to your doctor about how to treat it.

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Quit smoking

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People with HIV who smoke are more likely than those who don't smoke to develop cancers, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and heart disease. Smoking is also linked to poorer response to HIV treatment.

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Taking care of your mental health

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Having HIV can be a source of major stress. HIV may challenge your sense of well-being or complicate existing mental health conditions. Good mental health will help you live your life to the fullest and is essential to successfully treating HIV.

 

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/about/index.html, Accessed on 28-August 2024