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People testing HIV positive are now able to lead normal lives to a much longer period thanks to a healthy life style and modern medications. But drug treatments, if prescribed, must be strictly followed to get the most benefit from them. The combination of antiviral drugs and drugs for boosting the immune system have allowed many people with HIV to fight infections and stay healthy for a much longer time.
Stages
The following are the general stages of HIV infection that you may go through -
Infection - The beginning stage is soon after you are infected. HIV may infect cells before your immune system has a chance to respond. Symptoms such as fever are common during this period.
Response – Stage No.2 is when your body begins responding to the virus. You may not feel anything at this time but your body maybe trying hard to fight the virus by making antibodies against it. This is the stage when you go from
being HIV negative to HIV positive.
No symptoms – You may have no detectable symptoms during this stage. You have the HIV virus infection but you cannot feel a thing.
Symptoms – This is the stage when you develop symptoms of certain infections.
AIDS – At this stage you are diagnosed with AIDS and have a variety of symptoms and infections.
Time
There is no specific period of time during which a person goes from an HIV infection to being diagnosed with AIDS. Many factors such as the following will affect this period.
Genetic make up
General health
Age
Nutrition and stress levels
But it’s possible for you to control and lengthen this period by doing the following
Developing healthy eating habits. This will help keep your body strong and help protect itself
Take good care of yourself and keep stress levels under control
Follow closely your specialist doctors advise
Stop smoking and using drugs not recommended by your doctor
Immunization injections or shots can help prevent you getting infections such as pneumonia and Tuberculosis
Exercise regularly and get enough sleep and relaxation. Meditation and prayer can also help you relax more
Check with your testing centre and ask your doctor for more help.
Treatments available
Antiretroviral medicines – The medicines used to treat the HIV virus, are known by this name. These medicines are highly effective in controlling and slowing down HIV infections. Your specialist doctor will advise you how exactly to take them. The antiretroviral drugs are provided free in all STD clinics in Sri Lanka.
HAART treatment – Termed Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy is a treatment system where a combination of three or more medicines are used to attack HIV infections. HAART medications are unique to each patient.
opportunistic infections
HIV infections can also make you more open to diseases called ‘opportunistic infections'.
These are diseases that a healthy person maybe able to overcome easily but the weakened immune system of an HIV positive person gives these diseases an ‘opportunity to develop’.
Opportunistic infections can lead to infections such as the following
Breathing problems
Skin rashes and itching
Diarrhea
Weight loss
Changes in your vision
Mouth problems such as sores, dryness, change in taste
Skin rashes or itching
Contact your doctor if you have any of these issues.
Live Free
Hundreds upon thousands of people infected with the HIV virus all over the world continue to lead productive and happy lives by undergoing treatment plans and taking good care of themselves as mentioned before.
You too can do the same by having a custom made plan of treatment designed by your treatment centre and your HIV specialist doctor. Maintain a positive outlook on life to get the maximum benefit of your medications.
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