nutrients, so healthy eating is one of your main defenses against HIV. Go for lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. If your medications sap your appetite or cause stomach trouble, you’ll need to make an extra effort to get the nutrition you need. For specific advice, talk to your doctor or, maybe better yet, a dietitian who is familiar with HIV.
To further protect your immune system, stay away from “recreational” drugs – heroin, for instance – which are illegal and harmful to your health. Don’t smoke or have more than a couple of drinks each day (no more than one a day if you’re female). Recreational drugs and heavy drinking will weaken your defenses against germs, and they can also impair your judgment. You might also end up taking risks – such as sharing needles – that you really can’t afford. You could catch another strain of HIV, give the virus to someone else, or catch another serious virus such as hepatitis C.
To avoid other infections, you should avoid risky foods such as raw seafood, unpasteurized milk, or undercooked meats. These precautions are especially important if your system is weak and you’re prone to illness. Wash your hands regularly to protect yourself from colds and other common illnesses. You should also get a flu shot every year and make sure your other immunizations are up-to-date. Make sure to practice safe sex by using condoms; not only will you be sparing your partner HIV, you’ll be protecting yourself from other sexually transmitted infections.
Other basics of healthy living are especially important for people with HIV. Regular exercise will help you feel at your best both mentally and physically. And getting enough sleep will give your body the strength and energy it needs to fight your illness.
Healthy living – eating nutritious foods, avoiding cigarettes, and getting regular exercise – has long-term benefits that can show up decades down the road. Taking care of yourself today could help prevent heart disease and some cancers in the future. Because you likely have so many years ahead of you, these future payoffs might be just as important as the extra strength and energy that you can earn today.
Healthy Mind, Healthy Body
In some ways, HIV can be nearly as