What Is The Treatment For Hiv
Individuals who are HIV positive will likely need to see a specialist. As with many other conditions, early detection offers more options for treatment. Today, there are medical treatments that can slow down the rate at which HIV weakens the immune system. However, there are other treatments that can prevent or cure the conditions associated with HIV. Anti-retroviral drug therapy may be given to a pregnant woman, which has proven to greatly reduce the chance of an infant developing HIV. A cesarean section may be recommended to reduce infant transmission from the birth canal. In the U.S., where other feeding options are available, an infected mother should be discouraged from breastfeeding her infant. Consult your child’s doctor for more information regarding various drug therapies.
How Much Does Hiv Change Your Life In 6 Months
Its been 6 months since you found out that you are HIV-positive. Youre sticking to your treatment plan and prioritising your health.
At the 6 month milestone of living as a confirmed HIV-positive person, your life may look very different to what it was 6 months ago. This isnt necessarily a bad thing, especially if youre sticking to your treatment plan and prioritising your health. Today were going to examine the changes brought about by your HIV diagnosis, so you can reflect on your progress up until this point.
Managing Stress And Getting Support
Looking after your mental wellbeing and emotional health is just as important as taking care of your body.
Finding out you have HIV can be a shock, and it may take you some time to adjust. Talking to your friends and family, and other people living with HIV, can really help when things get difficult. You could look for a peer mentoring or buddying service in your area.
Once you adjust to living with HIV, its a good idea to think about what you want out of life. What are your goals? Whats important to you? Maybe you want to study, travel, have a family or change career? Dont let HIV stop you, theres no reason why it should.
You May Like: How Long Does It Take For Hiv Symptoms To Start
What Brings You Joy In Life
Person living with HIV: Understanding each other, being treated equally, steady life with all you need around you. And to be able to do whatever you want to do!Spouse: Having a happy family , being happy and healthy, having a career that that I feel interested and stable income and having good friends I can share my life with!
Hiv And Mental Health
Receiving a diagnosis of HIV and living with the condition can have significant effects on a persons mental health.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, people living with HIV are twice as likely to have depression than those without HIV. They are also at a higher risk for mood, anxiety, and cognitive disorders.
There are specific sources of stress relating to the condition, such as having to find and manage medical support, managing the lifelong use of medications, and dealing with the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV.
Some antiretroviral drugs may also cause mental health side effects, such as anxiety.
Many mental health problems are treatable. Talking therapies, medications, and social support can all help.
The CDC provide a list of services that can help people manage the stigma and discrimination linked with HIV and receive additional support.
For more information about where to find support when living with HIV, people can visit the HIV.gov website.
Also Check: How Do You Catch Hiv
Simplified Issue Life Insurance
Simplified issue life insurance also allows you to skip a medical exam. But, unlike guaranteed issue, youâll still need to answer some medical questions when you apply. Many simplified issue applications will ask about your HIV status, but approval or denial will vary by provider.
Like guaranteed issue, simplified issue is more expensive for less coverage than traditional life insurance, with death benefits topping out at $40,000. Most life insurers also limit simplified issue policies to those 45 years or older. If you need more coverage than guaranteed issue offers and think you could qualify, simplified issue could be the right final expense policy for you.
Ready to shop for life insurance?
How To Live Well With Hiv
While the drugs and your body work hard to keep your viral load suppressed, itâs inevitable that youâll feel some form of fatigue, stress, or pain in your day-to-day life. But there are things you can do to keep your symptoms in check and maintain the best possible health.
You can:
Plan ahead. Itâs very important that you donât skip your medications. If you have a busy schedule, make it a point to plan and pack your pills to take with you.
Get mental health support. If youâre feeling down or stressed, tell your health care team about it. They can help direct you to appropriate mental health experts like therapists or psychiatrists who can help you deal with any emotional issues you may be facing.
âFor me, having mental health therapy is definitely the number one thing,â Traylor says. You can also find a friend or a family member to talk about your feelings.
Stop alcohol and drugs. If you smoke or take drugs, it can get in the way of allowing the treatment to work properly.
If youâre HIV-positive, it may be a good idea to cut down or quit. If youâre unsure how to get started, talk to you doctor about available resources that can help you.
Exercise. Try to stay physically active as much as possible. Things like walking, yoga, or gardening can help you release stress and tension.
Join a support group. Itâs important to connect with others who have HIV and can share their life experiences with you. This can make you feel that youâre a part of a community.
Read Also: Can Hiv Ever Go Away
Impact Of Hiv On Society
Info: 3096 words Essay 24th Jul 2017 inHealth And Social Care
The human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome pandemic is one of the most serious contemporary sexual health related issue affecting the human race today. By the end of 2009, it was approximated that 34 million people were living with the HIV virus and deaths related to AIDS were about 1.8 million people. HIV/AIDS has been the worst pandemic since its discovery having claimed over twenty five million lives by 2005 with the Sub- Saharan Africa being the most affected . This paper focuses on the impact psychosocial, cultural and economic of HIV/AIDS and its related sexual health problems on the individual as well as the community. HIV/AIDS has a huge impact on the infected individuals family unit and the community they live in. The impact is dependent on the mode in which the virus is transmitted among communities , the diagnosis of infection, and the community setting in which the individual and family live.
If you need assistance with writing your essay, our professional essay writing service is here to help!
How Antiretroviral Drugs Affect The Body
While there is no cure for HIV, antiretroviral therapy can reduce the amount of the virus in the blood to very low levels. By doing this, it keeps the person healthy and prevents the transmission of the virus to other people.
A very low, or undetectable, viral load means that the risk of transmission to others is virtually zero, which has led to the phrase: undetectable = untransmittable .
Experts encourage all people with HIV, regardless of their CD4 T-cell count, to start taking antiretroviral drugs as soon as possible after their diagnosis. Early treatment is key to a good outcome.
As with other medications, antiretroviral drugs can cause side effects in some people. However, modern drugs tend to produce fewer and less severe side effects than older drugs.
Possible side effects of antiretroviral drugs include:
- fatigue
- dizziness
- pain
Some side effects may last for a few days or weeks after the person starts treatment. Others may start later or last longer.
If a person experiences severe side effects that make them consider stopping treatment, they can talk to their healthcare provider. Stopping treatment or skipping doses can lead to drug resistance and limit a persons treatment options.
Some people can reduce some side effects by taking the medication 2 hours before going to bed. Other people may prefer to take it in the morning to prevent sleep disturbances.
Certain HIV drugs may also lead to less obvious changes, such as:
You May Like: How Long Does Hiv Take To Turn Into Aids
Respiratory And Cardiovascular Systems
HIV makes it hard to fight off respiratory problems such as the common cold and flu. In turn, an HIV-positive person may develop related infections, such as pneumonia.
Without treatment for HIV, advanced disease puts an HIV-positive person at an even greater risk for infectious complications, such as tuberculosis and a fungal infection called pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia .
PJP causes trouble breathing, cough, and fever.
The risk of lung cancer also increases with HIV. This is due to weakened lungs from numerous respiratory issues related to a weakened immune system.
According to available research , lung cancer is more prevalent among people with HIV compared to people without it.
People with HIV are more likely to develop high blood pressure. HIV also raises the risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension . PAH is a type of high blood pressure in the arteries that supply blood to the lungs. Over time, PAH will strain the heart and can lead to heart failure.
If a person has HIV with a low CD4 count, theyre also more susceptible to tuberculosis .
TB is an airborne bacterium that affects the lungs. Its a leading cause of death in people who have AIDS. Symptoms include chest pain and a bad cough that may contain blood or phlegm. The cough can linger for months.
How Will I Know If I Get Hiv
The only way you can know that you have the HIV virus is by getting tested. Although you may experience symptoms, there is no way of knowing that you have HIV unless you get tested. In fact, some people who have HIV go for years without experiencing any symptoms. So if you have had unprotected sex and you think that maybe you could be a risk, go get tested even if you are not experiencing any symptoms.
An HIV diagnosis can be done using:
- Antibody screening test
This test is also referred to as the ELISA test and it is used to check for a specific HIV-Ab in the body.
Usually, your doctor will take a small sample of your blood for testing. Some ELISA tests check fluids or urine, but a blood test provides more accurate results. It is possible to get a negative result even when you are actually positive when you take a fluid or urine test. This is because the antibodies in fluids are few.
- Antibody/Antigen combination test
The antibody/antigen combination test can detect the HIV virus 20 days after infection. With the antibody screening test, you would have to wait about 8 weeks to get tested if you want to get accurate results.
This test checks for an HIV antigen called core p24 antigen, which is a protein that is found in the virus. This protein shows up 3 weeks after you become infected. The test also checks for the HIV antibodies much like the antibody screening test.
- RNA Test
- Home Test Kits
Recommended Reading: How Is Hiv Test Done
Is There Any Treatment Of A Cure For Hiv/aids
Currently, there is no cure for HIV/AIDS. People living with HIV will need lifelong treatment. The best treatments right now are combinations of prescription drugs. These medications include antiviral treatment, protease inhibitors and other drugs that help people who are living with HIV stay healthy. People living with HIV also can stay healthy by doing things like eating properly, exercising and getting enough sleep.
Talking To Your Health Care Provider
Your provider or other members of your health care team may ask you about your sexual practices each time you go in for a checkup. It may feel embarrassing at first to be honest and open. But they are trying to help you stay healthy.
Your VA provider and staff will still give you care if you have had sex with someone of the same sex or someone other than your spouse. VA is not there to judge you. It’s OK to tell your providers the truth. It will not affect your medical benefits. It will help your health care team take better care of you.
Make sure you set aside time to ask questions about safer sex, sexually transmitted diseases , or any other questions you might have. If you feel that you need help dealing with your feelings, ask about support groups or counseling.
Many people living with HIV ask their provider to talk with them and their partners about HIV and how it is transmitted. They can answer technical questions and address the specifics of your situation. If you live with someone, they may have questions about everyday contact as well as sexual contact.
Don’t Miss: Can Hiv Be Transmitted Through Blood If Undetectable
What Is The Difference Between Hiv And Aids
The term AIDS refers to the most advanced stages of HIV infection. Most of the conditions affecting people with AIDS are opportunistic infections that generally do not affect healthy people. In people with AIDS, these infections are often severe and sometimes fatal because the immune system is so ravaged by HIV that the body cannot fight off the infection. Symptoms of opportunistic infections common in people with AIDS include:
- coughing and shortness of breath
- seizures and lack of coordination
- difficult or painful swallowing
- severe headaches
- coma
People with AIDS also are particularly prone to developing various cancers. These cancers are usually more aggressive and difficult to treat in people with AIDS.
Does Hiv Change Your Relationships With Friends And Family
This depends on the course of action youve taken up until this point. If youve decided not to tell anybody, then your behaviour towards others will be the pivotal influencer of your relationships. Dealing with your HIV status alone can have a significant effect on your emotions, and sensitivity towards certain topics of conversation. It may also affect your desire to socialise, be with friends, or spend time with your family.
If youve decided to talk to someone about your HIV status, then youve likely had all the conversations you needed to, with your friends and family. You wouldve worked through so many of the concerns you may have initially had. By now, youre adept at answering peoples questions, and you feel like you truly understand those answers now.
Speaking to your loved ones took courage. Overcoming this, in itself, is a triumph. If you feel actively discriminated against, or are concerned about how your HIV diagnosis has changed relationships within your family, speak to your counsellor for some advice. We have another article available on our website, about dealing with HIV stigma, if youre interested in learning more.
Read Also: How Many New Hiv Cases Per Year
Can Hiv Be Prevented Or Avoided
The best way to prevent HIV is to not have sex with a person who has HIV, or share a needle with a person who has HIV. However, there is also a medicine called PrEP that people can take before coming into contact with HIV that can prevent them from getting an HIV infection.
PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. It is for people who are at long-term risk of getting HIV either through sexual activity or by injecting drugs. If youre taking PrEP and come into contact with HIV, the medicine makes it difficult for HIV to develop inside your body.
Other ways to prevent HIV include:
- When you have sex, practice safer sex by using a condom. The best condom is a male latex condom. A female condom is not as effective but does offer some protection.
- Do not share needles and syringes.
- Never let someone elses blood, semen, urine, vaginal fluid, or feces get into your anus, vagina, or mouth.
Telling Your Partner And Former Partners
If you have HIV, it’s important your current sexual partner and any sexual partners you’ve had since becoming infected are tested and treated.
Some people can feel angry, upset or embarrassed about discussing HIV with their current or former partners. Discuss your concerns with a GP or the clinic staff.
They’ll be able to advise you about who should be contacted and the best way to contact them, or they may be able to contact them on your behalf.
They’ll also advise you about disclosing your status to future partners and how you can reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to someone else.
Nobody can force you to tell any of your partners you have HIV, but it’s strongly recommended that you do.
Left untested and untreated, HIV can have devastating consequences, and eventually lead to serious illness and death.
Recommended Reading: Do Hiv Symptoms Come And Go
How Hiv Affects Life Insurance
When you apply for a life insurance policy, the insurer uses underwriting to evaluate how risky you are to insure . Though itâs possible to live a long life with an HIV diagnosis, life insurance companies are generally risk-averse, and providers remain cautious about the overall health of people with HIV over the long-term. Many insurance companies wonât offer a life insurance policy to people with HIV at all.
While a few life insurance companies normally offer policies to HIV-positive applicants, many of those companies are declining to offer coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even after the pandemic is controlled, you may be denied coverage by some companies if you have a recent HIV diagnosis. Some insurers wonât offer you a policy until at least one year after your initial HIV diagnosis and will want to see at least six months of stable health and treatment before offering you a policy. Stricter providers will deny coverage unless you can show five years of stable health history and meet additional health and viral load testing criteria.