HIV and AIDSHIV/ AIDS is definitely amongst the most devastating diseases that ever stroke planet earth. In some countries, particularly poorer countries almost every person is either affected or infected by this HIV. More awareness on HIV/AIDS has brought more acceptance of those that are affected.People have learnt that HIV is not the death sentence that it was believed to be. The only challenge is when the diagnosis is done after a long time of infection. It is advisable for people to test regularly in order to know their status earlier. The sooner one is diagnosed; the more likely they are to live longer. Prevention The complication with HIV/AIDS prevention is in the different ways in which people get infected. It is not like cholesterol and other diseases that you can prevent through a healthy lifestyle. The prevention strategies include abstinence from sex or using a condom whenever you are having sexual intercourse. Please, if you are not infected, do all you can to stay that way.
When it’s too late for prevention, and a person is already infected there are some strategies that can be implemented in order to prolong the life of the victim. The most important plan is to lead a healthy lifestyle whilst living with HIV/ AIDS. One has to change her/his attitude towards life for the better. Start a highly nutritious programme and a regular exercise routine to strengthen your immune system. You'll still need to use the prevention strategies to minimise the chances of being re-infected. If you have unprotected sex, you may get re-infected and that will worsen your condition. Use the condom and even better abstain from sexual intercourse. Remember that you are fighting and you must win the battle. You may never get cured but you can still enjoy a long healthy life. This, you do by making sure you don’t develop Aids from the HIV infection. The HIV support groups also help for the people who are infected. Join a support group and share ideas with the people who know what you are going through. Let the people who can give you support around you know about your status. Start your own support group to help others. CD4 HIV actually attacks the white blood cells known as CD4 and changes them to be the virus. This weakens your immune system and makes you vulnerable to infections. One therefore needs to monitor his/her CD4 count to know the damage that the virus is doing or to check the victory. AIDS develops when your CD4 count is below 200. You cannot afford to get there. Antiretroviral Medications or ARVs You may decide to start using drugs that boost your CD4 count known as Antiretrovirals or ARVs. Most people delay taking ARVs because, once you start taking the medication you cannot stop. It becomes a lifetime commitment. If you need to take the ARVs to save your life, you might as well do that. But even better is testing regularly to confirm the infection early. After the confirmation, you need to take very good care of yourself and follow a healthy lifestyle. HIV and Pregnancy If you are HIV positive and pregnant you may need to take ARVs to protect your unborn baby from the virus. It is important for you to discuss the possibilities with your doctor. It is safer for your immune system and the unborn baby for HIV infected women not to fall pregnant at all. No one can be sure that the baby won’t get infected. No one needs to deal with the strain of the pregnancy whilst their immune is already compromised. Think about that before you plan your pregnancy. Take good care of yorself and remember that you are precious.
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