Contracting HIV can be very devastating and frightening. If you find yourself in such a situation, try and learn as much about the disease as possible. It is necessary to understand that you can easily manage the condition. You can also take some medicines to treat it.
Learning more about the virus will help you know what to do to maintain good physical and mental health. Acquiring reliable information concerning the disease will help you avoid worrying about it. Although you may get advice from your loved ones, it would be helpful to obtain HIV information from a certified counselor, a healthcare expert, or government resources.
How to Carry on After the Positive Confirmation
It is vital to start taking medications as early as possible since it can help you live longer and healthier. It is usual to feel anxious, sad, and fearful after learning that you have contracted the disease. However, it is essential to talk to your counselor immediately if you experience a lack of sleep, appetite, inability to focus, or suicidal considerations.
After receiving the heartbreaking news of being positive for the virus, it is okay to become afraid. Even so, make sure that the fear won’t prevent you from finding ways of helping yourself.
The following are some of the things you should do:
• Make sure you visit your doctor as soon as you get the positive diagnosis, even if your body doesn’t experience any changes. The doctor will advise you to start undertaking the HIV treatment immediately.
• The doctor will also let you know how often you should have check-ups. Never miss any doctor’s appointment.
• Never have unprotected intercourse.
• Avoid smoking and taking alcohol to help your body with better immunity.
• Always consume well-balanced nutrition, exercise regularly, and get adequate sleep.
• Find ways of reducing stress at home and your workplace.
• Avoid sharing needles and sharp objects.
• Go for routine dental visits. Get treated for any bleeding gums because they can increase infecting other people.
• Join groups of people going through the same issue to share your fears since they understand your situation.
Have You Tested Positive for the Virus? What Next?
After getting the positive testing, inform everyone you’ve had sexual relations with about it as soon as possible. They need to get tested also. Also, make sure you tell your future lovers about your condition. Ask the healthcare practitioner how best to tell your current lover about your situation. It would be best to let your healthcare professionals know that you have the disease for them to provide you with the best care possible. That will not stop them from providing you with the treatment you need.
When You Visit Your Healthcare Professional, Get the Following Clarifications;
• Let the doctor explain the chances of contracting AIDS now that you have the virus.
• You may also ask them how you got the disease.
• They should let you know what you can do to prevent infecting others with the disease.
• Also, ask the doctor what you should do to prevent you from being re-infected.
• The health professional will also let you know of the organizations you can join in your area for individuals living with the virus.
What Treatment Should You Expect?
Once you have been confirmed to have the virus, the doctor will advise you to start taking antiretroviral drugs as soon as possible. The pills help in ending the reproduction of the virus in the body. They also help the immune system to repair itself and prevent more destruction.
Experts recommend that patients take different medicines because they quickly adapt to and resist a single drug. You may get other medications combined in one pill, although it is more expensive than those taken as more pills.
In most cases, after getting the positive diagnosis, doctors prescribe a daily dose comprising of 1 to 4 pills. It is paramount to note that different HIV medications work differently. Therefore, the doctor will prescribe the medicine that will suit you best. After some time, the doctor will request that you have your blood checked to know the amount of viral load in it to know if the treatment is working or not.
There may come a time when HIV is undetectable in your blood. After taking daily medication for six months, most people get to that point. Since most over-the-counter medicines interact with those used for treating HIV, avoid taking any of them without consulting your doctor.
The Bottom Line
Getting HIV is not a death sentence. After getting diagnosed, talk to your doctor to start taking proper medication as soon as possible. Additionally, ensure to eat healthily, have enough sleep, and exercise to live a long, healthy life.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.