Of course, we don't want any of us to get HIV. However, when someone gets a positive result on an HIV test, it's very normal for that person to have a lot of questions about how the diagnosis will impact their daily life. Don't panic! Good news is treatment with modern HIV drugs has improved greatly over the past few decades. It’s possible to manage the condition with minimal impact on your daily routine. Here are some things you may need to pay attention to :
Antiretroviral Therapy
The highly recommended treatment for HIV patients is Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). ART is a therapy that combines three or more drugs from different classes. HIV drugs are divided into 7 classes based on how they work against HIV. ART can significantly slow the progression of HIV, fortify the immune system, and reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to others.
It is highly recommended to discuss the potential health risks with your doctor before starting an antiretroviral therapy session. Some types of HIV drugs can interact with each other so it can cause side effects. Most side effects are mild, such as dizziness and headaches, but it is possible that they can cause severe or even dangerous side effects. In addition, there is the potential for HIV drugs to interact with vitamins and other drugs. So, discuss with your doctor first before deciding to take certain drugs, vitamins, or supplements.
How Often Do I Need to Take HIV Medication?
It is important to have a disciplined attitude for taking medication every day according to what has been determined by the doctor so that the treatment process can work as it should. Using your smartphone as a reminder can help you not to forget to take your medication. Skipping a few doses of the drug, or taking it only occasionally, will increase the risk of drug resistance, which will reduce the effectiveness of the drug and make the condition worse.
How Often Should I Schedule a Medical Check?
People living with HIV are recommended to have a medical check every 3 to 6 months for laboratory tests as well as a general consult with their doctor regarding the progress of the ongoing treatment process. However, it is normal for you to schedule appointments with your doctor more often, especially in the first two years of treatment. Once you have a stable daily activity, related to HIV treatment, usually the frequency of laboratory tests will decrease to twice a year.
While dealing with HIV, being patient with the therapy given is the key to living with HIV. Considering, that the cure for the HIV disease has not been found yet, don't worry, it's not the end of people's lives with HIV, really! Therefore, it is important for us to be a support system for our friends living with HIV, Ladies!
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Sources :
Murrel, D. (2020). Doctor Discussion Guide: Will My Day-to-Day Life Change with HIV? Healthline. [online]. https://www.healthline.com/health/hiv/daily-life-change-hiv-diagnosis
Murrel, D. (2020). Taking Care of Yourself with HIV: Diet, Exercise, and Self-Care Tips. Healthline. [online]. https://www.healthline.com/health/hiv/self-care-with-hiv