Tips to Follow if Affected by HIV
People infected with HIV can live with the condition if they make certain changes in their lifestyle. When infected with this condition, certain cautionary steps should be taken to handle the condition and lead a better and healthy life. After getting infected with this virus you need to consult a doctor for clinical treatments and adopt some certain changes. These changes will ensure a better life.
Living with HIV is not the end of the world. In fact, many can perform activities like they would under normal circumstances. Most people affected by HIV can still socialize and lead a normal life though there are several social stigmas and challenges.
1. Take medication
Taking your prescribed medication and following up with your doctor regularly is one of the important lifestyle tips for people with HIV; this helps prevent the spread of the infection. You have to be proactive during the treatment for it to work well, as a lack of interest can worsen the situation. It is desirable to take your medicines regularly as prescribed and keep in touch with your consultant and physician for further clinical procedures.
2. Nutritionally rich diet
Consuming a nutritionally rich diet regularly is important for everyone, especially if you are affected by a life-threatening disease like HIV. You need to consult a dietician for a proper diet chart during and post clinical treatment. During clinical treatment, you have to follow several principles, which include:
- Including plenty of fruits and green vegetables to your diet while going through clinical treatment
- Avoiding processed foods, as they contain high levels of sugar or salt which are harmful and can even worsen the situation
3. Do not abuse drugs and alcohol
Giving up on drugs and other hallucination-inducing substances can lead to a better life. Abusing drugs makes your immune system weaker, thus worsening the effect of infections on your body. Also, smoking and drinking alcohol could ruin the immune system of your body.
4. Stress management
Since this condition can worsen with time, you may have to deal with many mental issues while living with HIV, as it increases the stress level and leads to serious depression. You should aim to protect your mental health by engaging in some relaxation activities such as art therapy, music therapy, meditation, and yoga. Psychologists often regard this as one of the important lifestyle tips for HIV.
It is no surprise that society has stigmatized this condition. But the affected person needs to stay strong and maintain a healthy lifestyle to improve the condition. Educating people of this condition and how it spreads could help curb this disease effectively.