A recent study done in the UK found that the top four needs of HIV positive individuals were all related to mental health. Anxiety/depression, self-esteem, sleep and sex, pose the largest problems to the most people. The study also found that the largest and most often used resources for these problems were friends and family.
Living with HIV is for most people one of the hardest things that they will do in their life. Thanks to science and research, we can now expect to live pretty much as long as those without HIV, but it does take some work. Doctors and clinicians can help with mental health problems, but most of us can get significant help and support from our friends and family.
How do you cope with mental health issues due to being HIV positive? Your friends are always a great place to start.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
HIV and HPV
Genital Human Papillomavirus or HPV is a common virus which is spread by skin to skin contact. There are over 100 different strains of the virus, and at least 30 strains have been directly related to cervical cancers and anal warts. Transmitted during sexual contact, HPV can take years to show symptoms, and sometimes no symptoms will develop. The most identifying symptom is a cauliflower-like growth on the genitals, anus or vagina.
HPV in not a curable illness, but treatment can relieve discomfort, and when infected, a person should take note of any new sores as they appear and bring it up with one’s doctor. Evidence suggests that HIV infection may play a role in the outcome of HPV infections because of immunosuppression. A vaccine has been developed and is currently only approved for HPV prevention in younger females. The vaccine has so far only been proven to help prevent HPV from becoming cervical cancers, but as studies progress, and further research is done, the vaccine may be approved for more use in both females and males.
Do you have any questions or concerns about HPV? We’d love to hear from you!
HPV in not a curable illness, but treatment can relieve discomfort, and when infected, a person should take note of any new sores as they appear and bring it up with one’s doctor. Evidence suggests that HIV infection may play a role in the outcome of HPV infections because of immunosuppression. A vaccine has been developed and is currently only approved for HPV prevention in younger females. The vaccine has so far only been proven to help prevent HPV from becoming cervical cancers, but as studies progress, and further research is done, the vaccine may be approved for more use in both females and males.
Do you have any questions or concerns about HPV? We’d love to hear from you!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Working with Your Doctor
The following is a quick reference for working with your doctor from Living Positive Magazine.
• Schedule regular visits with a doctor whom you are comfortable with.
• Keep a list of questions and concerns for your appointments.
• Get a copy of your blood test results and learn what they mean.
• It’s okay to take a friend to appointments with you to help you remember.
• Ask for options to be explained, you can always refuse any treatment if you wish.
• If you are having a problem, talk to someone. BCPWA has advocates here for you.
Do you have any tips on working with your Doctor, or on creating a healthy relationship with them?
• Schedule regular visits with a doctor whom you are comfortable with.
• Keep a list of questions and concerns for your appointments.
• Get a copy of your blood test results and learn what they mean.
• It’s okay to take a friend to appointments with you to help you remember.
• Ask for options to be explained, you can always refuse any treatment if you wish.
• If you are having a problem, talk to someone. BCPWA has advocates here for you.
Do you have any tips on working with your Doctor, or on creating a healthy relationship with them?
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Complementary Therapies and HIV
Many individuals with HIV find that adding non-western therapies to their treatment assists in reducing symptoms from both HIV disease and HAART. Other benefits realized may include a reduction in stress and treatment side-effects, pain relief and boosting the immune system.
These are just a few of the more common complementary therapies; Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, Herbal Therapy and Juicing. Many of these therapies are simple and affordable, making them available to most.
Do you use complementary therapies? Or have you had an experience where complementary therapies have had a positive effect on your health? We’d love to hear what works for you.
More Information
These are just a few of the more common complementary therapies; Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, Herbal Therapy and Juicing. Many of these therapies are simple and affordable, making them available to most.
Do you use complementary therapies? Or have you had an experience where complementary therapies have had a positive effect on your health? We’d love to hear what works for you.
More Information
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Questions To Ask Your Doctor When Starting Treatment
Current anti-HIV drug treatment is called HAART, or Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy. If you are HIV positive, at some point as the disease progresses, your Doctor will want prescribe this for you. You’ll be required to take in a lot of information, but there are a few questions that you will definitely want answered.
Keep a copy of this list to ask and take them to your Doctor appointments with you to ensure you get the knowledge and answers that you need.
• What is my CD4+ count and has it changed?
• What is my viral load and has it changed?
• What are the names of the medications that I will be taking?
• What should I do if I miss a dose of medication, or if I am too nauseous to take my medication?
• When do I take which medications?
• What are the side-effects?
• What can I do to help relieve any side effects?
• Should I take the medications with a full or empty stomach?
These are some of the more important questions that you want the answers to. We’d love to hear of other questions that you feel are important as well, drop us a comment.
Keep a copy of this list to ask and take them to your Doctor appointments with you to ensure you get the knowledge and answers that you need.
• What is my CD4+ count and has it changed?
• What is my viral load and has it changed?
• What are the names of the medications that I will be taking?
• What should I do if I miss a dose of medication, or if I am too nauseous to take my medication?
• When do I take which medications?
• What are the side-effects?
• What can I do to help relieve any side effects?
• Should I take the medications with a full or empty stomach?
These are some of the more important questions that you want the answers to. We’d love to hear of other questions that you feel are important as well, drop us a comment.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
We Want Your Input
The Treatment Information Program (TIP) at the British Columbians Persons with AIDS Society (BCPWA), is conducting a research project to assess the HIV/AIDS treatment information needs in BC. The research is being conducted through a survey and we are asking all HIV positive individuals in BC to please take part. Participation must be completely voluntary and involves completing the online survey.
For more information, please click on the link below. We appreciate you taking the time to give us your input. This information will be used to recommend alternatives for TIP at BCPWA to consider as it plans future programming.
Take Survey
For more information, please click on the link below. We appreciate you taking the time to give us your input. This information will be used to recommend alternatives for TIP at BCPWA to consider as it plans future programming.
Take Survey
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Food and Water Safety for HIV Positive Individuals
There are many infections that can be easily avoided using a few precautions regarding food and water storage and preparation. These illnesses include Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria and Cryptosporidium. These may cause nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach, vomiting, stomach cramps, fever, headache, muscle pain, meningitis and encephalitis. Precautions to take include:
• Meat, poultry (such as chicken or turkey), and fish can make you sick if they are raw, undercooked, or spoiled.
• Wash all fruits and vegetables well before cooking or eating raw.
• Don’t drink water straight from lakes, rivers, streams, or springs.
• Keep hands and counters clean, don’t cross contaminate with raw food such as meats or poultry.
Proper storage and preparation of food and water will decrease your chances of having to deal with these infections and is an important part of your preventative health care.
Do you have any questions regarding food and water safety? We’d love to hear from you.
• Meat, poultry (such as chicken or turkey), and fish can make you sick if they are raw, undercooked, or spoiled.
• Wash all fruits and vegetables well before cooking or eating raw.
• Don’t drink water straight from lakes, rivers, streams, or springs.
• Keep hands and counters clean, don’t cross contaminate with raw food such as meats or poultry.
Proper storage and preparation of food and water will decrease your chances of having to deal with these infections and is an important part of your preventative health care.
Do you have any questions regarding food and water safety? We’d love to hear from you.
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