Living with HIV is no longer the death sentence it used to be a decade ago. By starting antiretroviral treatment (ART) soon after testing positive, sticking to a health plan to strengthen your immune system – all of this makes living a healthy life possible. 

By taking one step at a time, you can’t go wrong following your healthcare providers’ guidelines – eat well, exercise regularly, and talk about your concerns with supportive counsellors and loved ones (and rest and sleep lots). 

Take the medicine

According to Avert.org, antiretroviral treatment (ART) keeps the virus under control, but it is not a cure for HIV. 

To stay well, you need to take the medication as prescribed, even if you experience side effects during the first six months. If the side effects persist, ask your doctor for a different course of medication.

• Once you start treatment, you have to take your medication every day at the same time.
• Don’t even think about skipping doses or taking it at random times each day, as it will diminish the ART’s efficacy to protect your immune system.
• Don’t skip doses as stopping and starting ART means that the medication will stop working.
• ART reduces the amount of HIV in your blood. A low viral load means you are less likely to pick up infections.
• ART diminishes your risk of passing the HIV to a partner

As a means of bolstering your ART, be sure to check with your doctor about vaccines you may need to take. Any virus doing the rounds puts you at a higher risk for infections or severe complications associated with the infections, such as breathing difficulties or heart palpitations, for instance.

Eat well, be well

When it comes to what you consume, moderation and balance are part of the eating plan for HIV-positive people. 

Eating well helps with the absorption of ART and its key function in fighting off everyday infections. A healthy diet can also diminish ART side effects.

Avert suggests that you ask for a dietary plan from a dietitian if you are: underweight due to the HIV infection; overweight; have some dietary problems such as allergies, and ART side-effects make it difficult for you to eat well.

According to WebMD, you should eat more nutrient-rich foods such as fruit and vegetables, whole grains; lean meat; omega-3 rich fatty fish; beans and lentils; and nuts and seeds. 

When taking extra supplements, you should ask for a test to see which vitamins and minerals you lack. And to ask which brands complement your ART.

WebMD reports that food safety is crucial because you can’t afford to come down with food poisoning (nd the nasty bacteria that comes with it. 

Avoid

So it’s best to avoid; raw eggs, meat or seafood; don’t drink from mountain streams or any such water sources; use different cutting boards for meat and produce; don’t eat or drink any unpasteurised dairy products; wash all your fruit and vegetables well, and always wash your hands before prepping your food and before you eat. 

Quit smoking, drinking alcohol and drugs

Ingesting any intoxicants like cigarette smoke, alcohol, and recreational drugs severely hampers the efficacy of your ARTs, so you should do all you can to abstain.

With smoking, you risk other health complications such as lung cancer and other cancers; heart disease and high blood pressure; bacterial pneumonia; or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

Likewise, misusing drugs and alcohol messes with your thinking, often leading to risk-taking, which hurts your immune system. Misusing drugs and alcohol also: impairs brain and liver function; adversely reacts with your ART; makes you mess with your daily ART schedule, and also leads you to neglect your diet, exercise and your sleep.

Smoking cigarettes, misusing alcohol and drugs not only weakens your immune systems but leaves you susceptible to infections, especially in the mouth. Sores in the mouth may develop, making it difficult to swallow your food and medication.

Living with HIV means that you should take extra care of your oral health, such as regular dental checks, brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day. And should you get a dry mouth as an ART side-effect, ask your doctor for saliva-producing medication.  

Other essentials

Exercising at least 150 – 300 minutes for at least five days a week is just what the doctor orders as part of your ART.

Being active keeps your immune system functioning; improves strength; builds muscle; strengthens your joints and bones while also relieving stress and lowering the risk of depression. 

Activity helps with sleep better which many people living with HIV struggle with. Experts believe that it may be the disease itself, stress or medication side effects that cause chronic insomnia. 

Some doctors may recommend relaxation techniques, a change in your sleep environment, prescription sleep medication or treatment for comorbidities such as snoring, grinding your teeth or obstructive sleep apnoea. 

Just having someone to talk to and hold your hand through the hard times or a mentor to help you attain your goals – this all helps you to live your best life.  

The Medical Society offers assistance in many facets of health and development available at all Medical Society facilities.