5 Best Practices For Staying Healthy After Acquiring HIV
Living with HIV can be a complicated reality to come to terms with, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. Although testing positive for HIV can be a scary and overwhelming experience, it’s important to remember that it isn’t a final sentence.
With the proper support, treatment, and lifestyle changes, it’s possible to live a long and healthy life with HIV. People should connect to a healthcare provider who specializes in HIV care. But what are the best practices for staying healthy after acquiring HIV?
1. Maintain Good Nutrition
Living with HIV can be a daunting experience. However, ensuring you’re taking care of yourself is vital. Good nutrition is essential for anyone, but more for those living with HIV. Eating a balanced, nutritious diet is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle and can help you stay healthy.
Aside from good nutrition, it is also essential to get enough calories and fluids. People living with HIV may require more calories than usual. Therefore, ensure you’re eating enough to keep your energy levels up. Meanwhile, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
2. Avoid Drugs
Drug use can be hazardous for those living with HIV. It can weaken the immune system, increase the risk of infections, and even lead to death. Therefore, it is essential to avoid any form of drug use, including recreational, prescription, and over-the-counter drugs.
Drugs can also interact dangerously with HIV medications, reducing their effectiveness and leading to drug resistance. As a result, it can make it difficult to manage HIV effectively and puts people living with HIV at risk of severe health complications.
3. Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is essential for everyone, especially those living with HIV. HIV can cause many mouth-related issues, including thrush, gum disease, and oral candidiasis. These can lead to pain, discomfort, and even tooth loss.
Therefore, it is essential to practice good oral hygiene, such as brushing and flossing twice a day, using an antiseptic mouthwash, and visiting the dentist regularly. Doing so can help keep your mouth healthy and reduce the risk of developing any of the above issues.
4. Never Stress
Stress can significantly impact your overall health, and it is essential to avoid it when living with HIV. Stress can weaken your immune system and make it more difficult for your body to fight infections and other illnesses.
Therefore, it is essential to try and manage your stress levels, including engaging in relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation, getting plenty of sleep, and spending time with friends and family.
5. Observe Sudden Health Changes
Observing any sudden changes in your health is essential, as this could be a sign of a problem. If you experience any new or worsening symptoms, it is necessary to contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
The provider will assess your symptoms and determine if they are related to HIV or if they may be caused by something else, which will help to ensure that any health issues are addressed quickly and appropriately.
Conclusion
HIV can have a severe impact on your health. Therefore, it is vital to understand the signs and symptoms of the condition. Knowing the signs and symptoms of HIV can help you identify if you may be at risk and what to do. It is also essential to understand how to protect yourself and those around you from HIV infection. If you are concerned about being exposed to HIV, it is necessary to seek medical attention immediately.
Leeway is an AIDS care center dedicated to ensuring patients living with HIV can get the best nursing care. Through supportive housing, patients can guarantee to receive the help they need to overcome HIV while preventing it from developing into AIDS. Learn more about our services by browsing our website today.