Fact Sheet Number 201
- DID YOU JUST LEARN THAT YOU’RE HIV-POSITIVE?
- LEARNING MORE ABOUT HIV
- MONITORING YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
- DECIDE HOW YOU WANT TO DEAL WITH HIV
- COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES
- GETTING HELP
- THE BOTTOM LINE
- FOR MORE INFORMATION
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PrintTHAT YOU’RE HIV-POSITIVE?
It can be very scary to learn that your AIDS blood test came back
positive, but it’s not a death sentence. The test means that you
are infected with the virus that causes AIDS, the human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV). Even though there is no cure for HIV disease, there
are many new treatments that help keep the disease under control.
When you first find out that you have HIV, you’ll need to adjust
to this change in your life. Family members or friends might be
able to help you, or you could talk with a counselor or social
worker. Take your time and don’t feel that you have to tell everyone
right away about your HIV status. Then start taking the next steps:
- Learn more about HIV disease
- Keep track of your immune system
- Decide how you want to deal with HIV
ABOUT HIV
HIV is a virus that can multiply rapidly in your body. Without
treatment, HIV can make your immune system very weak. If this
happens, you might get an “opportunistic infection”.
Common germs cause these diseases. People with healthy immune
systems can be exposed to these germs and not get sick. The same
germs can cause serious illnesses in people with weak immune systems.
The first medication for HIV was approved in 1987. Now there
are many different drugs that can be used to slow down the HIV
virus. Most people with HIV disease can now expect to live healthy
lives for many years.
You will probably have a lot of questions about HIV disease.
There are many good sources of information, including:
- your HIV case manager or physician;
- the New Mexico AIDS InfoNet (see the information at the bottom
of this page);
- your local public health department.
Be careful about the information you’re getting – check it
out with your doctor or other sources to make sure it’s accurate.
IMMUNE SYSTEM
In addition to your regular medical exams, there are two special
blood tests to keep track of HIV disease. They are the viral load
test and the T-cell test.
The viral load test helps show how strong the HIV virus is in
your body. It measures the amount of HIV in your blood. Lower
levels are better. This test is used to help decide when it’s
time to start using anti-HIV medications, to see if the drugs
are working, and to know when to change medications.
The T-cell test helps show how strong your immune system is.
It counts how many infection-fighting white blood cells you have.
These cells are also called CD4+, T-4, or T-helper cells. The
more, the better. If your T-cell count gets too low, you might
develop an opportunistic infection. This test is used to help
decide when it’s time to start using anti-HIV medications, or
medicines to prevent opportunistic infections.
Your doctor will probably want to do these tests every three
to six months. If your viral load stays low and your T-cell count
stays high, you might choose to delay treatment.
WANT TO DEAL WITH HIV
HIV may not be the only health issue you are dealing with.
The better your health is overall, the better you can deal with
HIV. Be sure to get regular medical and dental checkups, and get
treatment for conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or
high cholesterol. If you can avoid smoking, drinking too much
alcohol, recreational drug use, and sexually transmitted diseases,
you will probably find your HIV easier to control.
Although there are many different medications that can help
slow down the HIV virus, no one knows exactly when or how best
to use them. You will need to get information and work with your
doctor to decide what kind of treatments fit best with your beliefs,
desires, and life style. You might choose to be very aggressive,
and use anti-HIV medications very early in your disease. You might
be more conservative and decide to wait until you reach specific
viral load or T-cell levels. It’s up to you.
AND ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES
People with HIV use many different kinds of treatments for
their disease. Some people believe they have stayed healthier
because they use traditional healing practices, massage, acupuncture,
herbs, or other therapies.
It can be difficult to get information on how well these therapies
work for HIV disease. Most of them are not studied the same way
as western medicines. That doesn’t mean they don’t work, but you
may have to find other ways to check them out. Remember, there
are no “miracle” cures. If it sounds too good to be
true, be very careful.
People with HIV infection in New Mexico can get help from a case
manager at no cost. A case manager will give you confidential
help to find out about and receive HIV/AIDS services. To get case
management services, call one of these organizations:
- Camino de Vida Center for HIV Services, Las Cruces: 1-800-687-0850
- First Nations Community Health Source, Albuquerque: (505)
262-2481
- New Mexico AIDS Services, Albuquerque: 1-888-882-2437
- Pecos Valley HIV/AIDS Resource Center, Roswell: 1-800-957-1995
- Southwest CARE Center, Santa Fe: 1-888-320-8200
- First Nations Community HealthSource, Albuquerque: (505)
262-2481
There are things you can do to stay healthier with HIV disease.
You can learn more about the disease, monitor the health of your
immune system, and decide how you want to deal with your health.
Remember, you are in charge of your own health care. You will
decide which doctor to work with, and whom else you want to consult
about your treatments. You will decide which treatments you want
to use and when you want to use them. Take your time and learn
about your options.
The New Mexico AIDS InfoNet has several Fact Sheets that can help
you. There are Fact Sheets on antiviral therapies, T-cell tests,
viral load tests, and opportunistic infections.
You can get copies of these fact sheets from your case manager,
or from the InfoNet web site, https://www.aidsinfonet.org.
Revised October 18, 2002
Goto InfoNet Main Page
Go toIndex of Fact Sheets
Clickhere if you have questions
New Mexico AIDS Education and Training Center
and the New Mexico Department of Health
Drug Administration (FDA)