En Español (Spanish Version)

by Wood D

Lifestyle Changes to Manage AIDS

General Guidelines for Managing AIDS

Decreasing Your Risk of Infections and Keeping Your Immune System Healthy
If you are infected with HIV, your immune system may not be able to fight off other infections. Suggestions to lower your risk of infections and to keep your immune system as healthy as possible include:
  • Wash your hands often and always after using the bathroom and before preparing food.
  • Clean under your fingernails.
  • Use hand cream to prevent dry skin.
  • Cover any cuts or sores.
  • Avoid unnecessary contact with people who are ill.
  • Get vaccines recommended by your doctor.
  • Do not handle cat litter boxes or stool (feces).
  • Do not touch bird droppings or fish tank water.
  • Wear gloves when gardening.
  • Keep the house clean, using bleach to clean toilets.
  • Do not eat raw eggs, fish, or shellfish.
  • Eat meats, poultry, and fish that are cooked to well-done.
  • Thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before eating.
  • Eat a healthy diet .
  • Manage stress .
  • Do not smoke , drink alcohol , or use recreational drugs .
  • Get adequate rest.
Preventing the Spread of HIV to Others
Having sex or sharing needles with another person can transmit HIV.
To avoid infecting anyone else:
  • Abstain from sex. If you are sexually active, use a male latex condom. Sexual activity includes intercourse and any other sexual acts that result in the exchange of bodily fluids.
  • Inform former or potential sexual partners of your HIV positive status.
  • Do not share personal items, such as razors, toothbrushes, or tweezers.
  • Do not donate blood or organs.
  • Talk to your doctor about contraception options.
  • If you have a baby, do not breastfeed. The virus can be transmitted in your milk.
Emotional Support and Counseling
Counseling with a mental health professional can:
  • Improve your coping strategies for dealing with the physical symptoms of AIDS
  • Help you tell your family and friends that you have HIV infection
  • Assist you in dealing with the stress and anger that often accompanies diagnosis of HIV infection
  • Help you deal with losses associated with the disease, such as the inability to work and dependence on others for housekeeping or personal care
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of counseling that focuses on how your thoughts affect the way you feel and act. CBT can help relieve stress, diminish feelings of anger, and improve symptoms of depression and anxiety .
In addition, you may find benefit from attending support groups . Other types of therapy, like art therapy, may also be helpful.
When to Contact Your Doctor
Contact your doctor if you notice new or worsening health problems or symptoms.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2010. MMWR. 2010;59(No. RR-12):1-110.

Conn HF, Rakel RE. Conn's Current Therapy 2001 . 53rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 2001.

HIV/AIDS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/ . Updated September 2008. Accessed September 25, 2008.

HIV/AIDS. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases website. Available at: http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/ . Accessed September 25, 2008.

Noble J, Greene HL. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine . 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby, Inc; 2000.

2/24/2009 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php : Rao D, Nainis N, Williams L, Langner D, Eisin A, Paice J. Art therapy for relief of symptoms associated with HIV/AIDS. AIDS Care. 2009;21:64-69.

7/21/2009 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php : Crepaz N, Passin WF, Herbst JH, et al. Meta-analysis of cognitive-behavioral interventions on HIV-positive persons' mental health and immune functioning. Health Psychol. 2008;27:4-14.

Revision Information

Health Library Search

Only show results from the selected categories.
1 HIV and AIDS condition

HIV is a virus that attacks white blood cells called helper T cells (CD4). These cells are part of the immune system. They fight off infections and disease. As a result, ...

2 HIV in People Over 50 lifestyle - aging & health

HIV and AIDS are affecting older adults in growing numbers. Here's how you can reduce your risk....

3 HIV Treatment: The Challenges for Older Adults lifestyle - sexuality & health

Managing HIV can be a complex process, and even more so for older adults. Here's why…...

4 Diagnosis of AIDS condition indepth
5 Conditions InDepth: AIDS condition indepth
6 Other Treatments for AIDS condition indepth
7 Resource Guide for AIDS condition indepth
8 Risk Factors for AIDS condition indepth
9 Symptoms of AIDS condition indepth
10 Talking to Your Doctor About AIDS condition indepth
11 Treatments for AIDS condition indepth
13 Medications for AIDS condition indepth
14 Reducing Your Risk of AIDS condition indepth
15 Screening for AIDS condition indepth
16 Circumcision Reduces the Risk of HIV Infection by Half in Heterosexual Men journal notes

To test the theory that circumcision reduces the risk of HIV infection, researchers recruited 5,000 uncircumcised, HIV-negative men in Uganda. Half of the men were...

17 AIDS Dementia Complex condition

AIDS dementia complex (ADC) can occur in people with AIDS . ADC results in changes in multiple neurologic areas: ADC is a common nervous system complication of late-stag...