How to manage the side effects of HIV treatment in a woman?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 32-year-old woman recently diagnosed with HIV. I am still in shock. My doctor started me on medication right away. Kindly answer my following questions:

Will I need to take it for life?
How do I handle the side effects?
Can I still have a baby safely?
I am scared of stigma at work and in relationships. Should I tell everyone?
How do I keep my immune system strong?

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understood your concern.

Sorry for the situation. It is normal for an individual recently diagnosed with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) to be in shock. HIV is a manageable ailment, and the present medications used for its management are very effective. With effective management, you can live happily and have as many children as you desire.

For now, you do not need to tell people around you, as it might scare them due to a lack of understanding that the illness cannot be transmitted through body contact. You only need to tell a single close individual or your sexual partner. These individuals will provide any mental support that might be necessary.

Also, medications for HIV are taken for life. The medications are so effective that they will reduce the viral count to undetectable levels if you take them as prescribed. There are individuals whose tests may even become negative, but that does not mean they have been cured of the disease.

In such individuals, it just means that their HIV level has been significantly suppressed to a level where they cannot transmit the disease again. So, such individuals must continue to take their medications to remain in that state.

So for now, take your medications as prescribed, eat healthy, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and you will be very okay.

I hope that this answers your query.

Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.

Thank you.