People with HIV infection need to be educated

People with HIV infection need to be educated about the disease and its treatment so they can be active partners in making decisions with their health care provider.

There is still controversy about whether aggressive early treatment of HIV infection with anti-HIV medications (also called antiretroviral medications) will slow the long term progression of disease. You should discuss this option with your health care provider.

Follow these healthy practices in the early stages of HIV infection:

• Avoid exposure to people with infectious illnesses.
• Avoid settings and situations that could lead to depression. Maintain positive social contacts, hobbies, interests, and pets.
• Eat a nutritious diet with enough calories.
• Get enough exercise, but don't wear yourself out.
• Keep stress to a minimum.
• Practice safer sex. The disease is highly transmissible, especially in the first months after infection.

Support Groups

You can often reduce the stress of illness by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See AIDS - support group.

Outlook (Prognosis)

There is no cure for HIV infection or AIDS. However, appropriate treatment can dramatically improve the length and quality of life for persons infected with HIV, and can delay the onset of AIDS.

The treatments for conditions that occur with early symptomatic HIV disease vary in effectiveness. Some infections and diseases are easier than others to treat with medications.

Possible Complications

• AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)
• Autoimmune diseases
• Cancers, typically Kaposi's sarcoma and lymphomas

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have had a possible or actual exposure to AIDS or HIV infection, or if you are at risk and have had symptoms like those of acute HIV infection.

Prevention

For a comprehensive discussion, see the prevention section in AIDS.

Safer sex behaviors may reduce the risk of getting the infection. There is still a risk of getting infected with HIV, even if you practice "safe sex," because condoms can break. Abstinence is the only sure way to prevent sexual transmission of the HIV virus.