What to do

What you can do if you have HIV/AIDS. Is there hope?

If you have HIV, there are many things that you can do to stay healthy. However, there is no way, at this point in time, to completely cure your body from HIV/AIDS.

• Practice Sexual activity in which precautions are taken to avoid spreading sexually transmitted diseases, e.g. intercourse using a condom.safe sex, so as to reduce your chances of getting another strain of HIV. Do not smoke or use drugs that are not prescribed by your doctor. Make sure that you eat healthy food in order to keep you strong, to keep your energy and weight up, and to help your body protect itself from disease. Exercise on a regular basis and make sure you get enough sleep and rest.
• Make sure you find a doctor that knows how to treat HIV. Begin your treatment as soon as your doctor tells you to. If your doctor gives you instructions, always make sure you follow them promptly. Taking only some of your medicine increases the chances for HIV to fight back. If the medicine you are taking is making you sick, call your doctor and ask him/her what to do. Don't make changes to your treatment on your own, always ask your doctor. You might also want to ask your doctor how to acquire treatment that prevents infections such as pneumonia and flu.
• Many people have also found that meditation or prayer, along with exercise and rest helps them to cope mentally with the stress of having HIV/AIDS.

What is the treatment for HIV/AIDS?

Antiretrovirals (ARV's)

HIV is treated with medicine known as Antiretrovirals (ARV's). HIV is a certain type of virus, called a retrovirus - that's where the word 'Antiretroviral' got its name. These highly effective medicines control the virus and slow down the progression of your HIV infection. They are very powerful, but do not cure HIV/AIDS. They must only be taken under a doctor's prescription.

HAART

Currently, the recommendation for HIV treatment is a combination of 3 or more ARV medicines. This programme of medicines is known as Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART).

The amount of pills that you need to take and how often will be prescribed by your doctor. It is important to know that each HAART programme is unique for each individual patient. There is no one best HAART programme.

HAART can cause some side effects. If you notice any side effects, even small ones, notify your doctor.

Other medicines

There are other medicines that your doctor may prescribe for you, depending on your current situation. Once again, make sure that you discuss any side effects that you notice with your doctor. Don't just alter your treatment without asking your doctor first, it is important to take your medicine the right way.

Treating other infections

As your HIV infection gets worse, your chances of getting other infections will increase. Your doctor can prescribe other treatments for you, in order to prevent particular infections, such as pneumonia.

The most important thing to do, once you know that you have HIV, is to work closely with your doctor. Communicate with him, and inform him of any side effects or symptoms you are experiencing.

Other diseases you can get

HIV destroys your immune system, therefore increasing your chance of getting certain infections, known as opportunistic infections. They are called this because with your weakened The part of your body that recognizes and destroys diseases and infectionsimmune system, it gives the disease more opportunity to develop. HIV infected people who are taking HAART can go a long time before their immune system is weak enough to contract an opportunistic infection.

Examples of opportunistic infections:

Common name	Full name	Pronunciation
PCP	Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia	NEW-mo-SIStis CA-RIN nee-eye
MAC	Mycobacterium avium complex	my-ko-bakavium TEER-i-um AYE-vee-um
CMV	Cytomegalovirus	si-to-MEG-ehlo-vi-res
TB	Tuberculosis	too-burr-qu-LOsis
Toxo	Toxoplasmosis	tok-so-plaz-MOsis
Crypto	Cryptosporidiosis	krip-to-spo-ride-O-sis
Hep C	Hepatitis C	hep-a-TI-tis C
HPV	Human papilloma virus	HU-man PAP-i-LO-ma VI-res

Protect others from your HIV!

Don't be ashamed of the fact that you have HIV. Tell others that you have HIV. If you have HIV, and you have sex with them, TELL THEM! This may be hard, but it will enable them to get help faster and possibly help them to avoid sharing their HIV with others. Never try to hide the fact that you have HIV/AIDS,  it will only cause more problems for everyone.

To view the ways in which HIV is transmitted, GO HERE.

Women and HIV

If you are pregnant, and you are infected with HIV, there is a lot to think about before you just jump into parenthood.

Your HIV treatment should not change much as you are pregnant. You may talk with your doctor about all the pros and cons of taking medicine while you are pregnant.

It is definitely possible to pass the HIV virus to your new baby before or during birth. The chances of transmitting HIV in this way are about 1 in 4. However, treatment with antiretrovirals will greatly reduce this risk. You should be encouraged to take these medicines.

After your baby is born, he/she will be tested for HIV, even if you took antiretrovirals during pregnancy. Your baby may need to start taking medication for an HIV infection, or pneumonia. Remember to ask your doctor for help if you are in this situation.

Breast-feeding your baby can transmit the HIV virus. However, there are some ways to prevent this from happening.

• Give your baby breast milk only until he/she is six months old. Water and other food can weaken your baby and make it easier for him/her to contract HIV.
• Boil your breast milk in a clean container for about 10-15mins.
• If you can afford milk formula, use it instead of breast milk. When your baby is 6 months old, you will have to feed him/her with a milk formula anyway, or you can use cow's milk after this time. Many clinics and hospitals give free milk formula to mothers who have new born babies and are HIV positive.

Where to find help

If you are living with HIV or AIDS, you may need support. Here are a few references to places that will help you to deal with your situation:

• Free referrals and information:
  CDC-INFO: 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)
  TTY: 1-888-232-6348
  In English, en Espanol
  24 Hours/Day
  
• Free materials:
  CDC National Prevention Information Network:
  (800) 458-5231
  1-301-562-1098 (International)
  P.O. Box 6003
  Rockville, MD 20849-6003
  
• Free HIV/AIDS treatment information:
  AIDSinfo:
  (800) 448-0440
  Project Inform:
  (800) 822-7422
  
• Drugs undergoing clinical trials:
  AIDSinfo:
  (800) 448-0440
  
• Social Security benefits:
  Social Security Administration:
  (800) 772-1213
  (You also may request a personal earnings and benefit estimate statement to help you estimate the retirement, disability, and survivor benefits payable on your Social Security record.)
  Child Health Insurance Program:
  1-877 KIDS NOW (1-877-543-7669)