Living with HIV is not only possible, but it’s also possible to do well. There is a lot of negativity surrounding HIV, and for good reason. But the fact remains that it is 100% possible to live a good life when you are infected with HIV. As a person living with someone who is infected with HIV, you too can live a normal life and can even be intimate with your partner.

Living With HIV – The Infected

To live your best life with HIV, you need to be completely honest with yourself and the people around you about your disease. Once you have acknowledged that this is your reality, you need to seek the appropriate treatment. Don’t wait on this. It’s important to start treatment as soon as possible.

Get Into The Right Mindset

Looking after yourself requires that you manage the disease effectively. You will need to make changes and sacrifices, but they will be worthwhile in the long run. In managing the disease, you need to understand that it will be ongoing, and you need to prepare yourself for this.  

Prepare yourself positively everyday by repeating positive affirmations. Most importantly, train yourself to never give up. There will be moments where it may seem overwhelming, but you can push through. Just don’t give up.

Eat Food That Nourishes You

The food you eat will greatly contribute to your wellbeing. Eating well with HIV means making a conscious effort to always choose the food that will benefit your health. You want to eat clean foods that will help build up your immunity and increase your level of T-cells. T-cells or CD4 cells are the cells that HIV kills. To build up your T-cell levels, you need nutrition.

Foods that benefit a person living with HIV include:

• Protein – lean meat, fish, eggs, legumes, tofu
• Unrefined complex carbohydrates – wholegrains, brown rice
• Fresh fruits
• Fresh vegetables
• Seeds and nuts
• Good fats – olives, avocado, peanut butter and cheese
• Loads of fresh water

Stock Up On Additional Nutrition

Research has shown that with the right nutrition, you can slow down the progression of HIV and repair any damage it has caused. Appropriate doses of zinc, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin E, bioflavonoids, vitamin C and, L-glutamine will aid in the repair process. Antioxidants and enzymes can also help eliminate negative side effects from prescribed medication.

Make Time For Exercise

It might be the last thing you feel like, but afterwards, it will give you a boost of energy. It will help you maintain muscle tone, which will in turn help support your body.

Always Practice Safe Sex

This is a non-negotiable and it’s easy to get into the habit of it. Always use a condom, and limit your number of partners, or better yet, be monogamous.

Living With HIV – The Affected

As a person living with an HIV infected partner, friend or family member, you are also living with the illness. The most important thing for you is to be of optimal health and in a state of wellbeing so that you can also be a caregiver. You will need to be strong to offer support and to weather the storms that you will face together. It is by no means easy, but it’s completely possible to lead a fulfilling and happy life with HIV.

Some things for you to take note of include:

• Getting plenty of rest every night as you never know what the next day will hold
• Ensure you eat a healthy diet so that you always have enough energy to cope with each day. Try and eat the same foods as your partner as it will make it easier for them to adopt a clean eating programme if you do it together
• Stress and worry are pointless exercises that only cause your body harm. Try to relax and take each day as it comes. If you need to take part in yoga or meditation classes to help stay grounded, then do so
• Make sure to exercise regularly. You need to be fit and able to care for your partner, but also to keep your body in perfect running condition
• Seek support where you need it, from family and friends, your Employee Wellbeing Programme or HIV support groups
• Do not smoke and do not let your partner smoke
• Only practice safe sex
• Be encouraging, kind and loving in everything you do for your partner. While it might be frustrating at times, they are living with the disease inside them and deserve a little additional compassion

Resources: https://www.avert.org/

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