How to live with a person who has AIDS. Scientists against myths

The moment a person learns about his positive HIV status, the colors of life fade. But there are ways to improve life with HIV. What can be done to prevent HIV from becoming a death sentence?

To live safely and happily with HIV, you need to know how to help yourself and not harm others. Today, HIV infection is incurable, but it is not a sentence that is carried out immediately. In Russia, the average life expectancy is 70 years. People with HIV live on average to 63 years, and this figure is constantly growing. If you follow the doctor’s recommendations and fight for the future, it will certainly be happy. Every day won gives hope. Every year new drugs appear that make it possible to achieve a positive therapeutic effect.

There are many prejudices about the immunodeficiency virus. There are still people who believe that life with AIDS is short and painful. Due to lack of information, social death sometimes occurs earlier than biological death. Explanatory work in the media helps people realize that HIV-infected people live in society and do not pose a danger to others.

The disease is not transmitted through household contact. There are no contraindications to being in the same room with a virus carrier, eating from common dishes and staying healthy.

When HIV infection is detected, a person has the right not to disclose his or her status. He must do everything possible to prevent other people from becoming infected. It is necessary to warn those who live nearby to observe simple rules prevention of infection.

Important task: to achieve the understanding that the patient is not always an asocial person. Society should not condemn, but support people living with HIV. The need to hide the illness will disappear only in this case.

Positive HIV status is not a reason to withdraw into yourself and lead the life of a hermit. Carriers of the virus can create families and have children. Modern techniques make it possible to minimize the risk of infection of a child from parents. The man, knowing about his status, donates sperm for special processing. As a result of artificial insemination, a healthy baby is born. When registering during pregnancy, women undergo a routine blood test. If future mom with a positive HIV status, from the 2nd trimester they begin taking medications that prevent vertical transmission of the disease (from mother to child). With timely initiation of treatment, 75% of the newborn is born with a negative HIV status.

Need to start treatment

After infection with the immunodeficiency virus, you need to get ready to fight and arm yourself with information. Believing in victory over the disease will help you move on. If you cannot get together and act on your own, you should seek help from professionals. A separate direction in psychiatry is to protect the rights of the patient. Experts provide psychological support and convince people that they need to move on with their lives. They explain how to behave correctly with loved ones.

A positive attitude is very important, but without medical care not enough. If a person discovers symptoms of HIV, he or she should immediately consult a doctor. He will give directions to necessary tests and will advise when they can be submitted.

Warning signs that require attention:

weight loss;
fever;
constant weakness;
headache;
inflammation of the lymph nodes;
skin rashes;
thrush;
mouth ulcers.

The first stage of the disease most often occurs without clinical symptoms. The first signs sometimes appear after 5 – 10 years. If there was a threat of infection, you should consult a doctor without waiting for symptoms to appear.

If HIV infection is detected, antiretroviral therapy (ART) is prescribed. Drugs in this group are used in combination, 3–4 at a time. The amount is due to the fact that the virus adapts to the drug over time. When one stops working, the other continues to prevent viral cells from multiplying.

As HIV infection develops, the immune system is gradually suppressed. Prescribed vitamins and nutritional supplements help support immunity. It is impossible to cure HIV infection completely, but successful therapy can reduce the viral load to an undetectable value (less than 50 cells per 1 ml of blood).

Information helps in the fight against HIV. Today's lessons are on the topic: “Beware of AIDS!” carried out in schools and kindergartens. In universities and enterprises, in offices and clinics, posters are placed that list the routes of infection and methods of protection.

The main objectives of explanatory events:

Eliminating illiteracy is the first step in HIV treatment and prevention. Attempts to escape from the problem by avoiding medical examination occur less and less often. Infected people understand that by starting treatment on time, they can live for many years without denying themselves most human joys. The earlier the disease is identified and a list of control measures is defined, the higher the chances of success.
The second direction of explanatory work is the integration of HIV-positive people into society. Rehabilitation of HIV patients in society allows them to live without being isolated from others. Carriers of infection benefit others, build careers, and engage in creativity.

How life and behavior change

Life with HIV is no less long and full of experiences, but still different from the life of a healthy person. Medical support for the patient plays a significant role in the fight against the disease. But antiretroviral therapy will not succeed without the patient’s desire for healing.

Only adherence to treatment allows you to live long and brightly. It involves taking measures aimed at preserving and strengthening health:

Strict adherence to doctor's recommendations for admission medicines.

Avoiding alcohol, drugs and other habits that destroy the immune system. When HIV infection is detected, there is often a desire to escape from reality and forget. Such behavior is the path leading to a quick end.

To live long, you need to take care of your health. There is no need to panic, you just need to adhere to the rules of behavior that are common to everyone. Avoid visiting public places during epidemics, dress appropriately for the weather, and maintain a sleep-wake schedule. Pay attention to all signals from the body and immediately inform your doctor if you feel unwell.

Moderate physical activity. HIV and sports are quite compatible. It is recommended to avoid traumatic sports where contact between the blood of a sick and healthy person is possible (boxing). Regular jogging, visiting the pool, and doing yoga will be beneficial. Physical activity helps strengthen the body and relieves stress. Exercising is good for maintaining a positive attitude. During physical activity, joy hormones – endorphins – are released.

Proper nutrition. Fast food and excess sugar have a devastating effect on health. Instead of fighting infections, the body is forced to spend energy neutralizing toxins found in snacks and sweets. By using healthy food can have a beneficial effect on the immune system. Eating well is just as important as taking your medications. Every day you need to eat 400 g of fruits, fresh vegetables - unlimited. It is recommended to include fish, seeds, nuts, vegetable oils, cereals and legumes. You should drink 1.5 - 2 liters clean water in a day.

News of an illness is not a reason to give up and wait for death. The patient should reconsider his habits, learn to value time and live, enjoying every day. An HIV carrier should not deprive himself of the opportunity to live a long, colorful life. It is necessary to take medications, lead a healthy lifestyle and maintain faith in success.

People living in discordant couples, where one of the partners has HIV infection, told Snob about their fears, having children and how the virus affected their relationship

Photo: Uwe Krejc/Getty Images

“I thought that no one would marry me like that”

Olga, 32 years old

I found out that I had HIV at the age of 21. My ex-boyfriend infected me. I didn't know he was sick. After breaking up with him, we met by chance, and he asked with a grin: “How are you?” When I found out about my status, I understood what this question was about. I don’t know why he did it, we never saw each other again.

I wanted to die. I thought that life was over, that no one would marry me like that, and I would never have children. The feeling is that you are dirt, an infection and you infect everyone around you through a spoon or plate. Although you know that HIV is not transmitted in everyday life. I moved out from my parents and began to live alone. Even now, almost 12 years later, I cannot tell them about HIV. Only my closest friends know about my status. They perceive me absolutely normally, without focusing on the disease.

At some point, the realization came that feeling sorry for yourself and even dying was as easy as shelling pears, that you had to pull yourself together and live.

I periodically meet people who cannot move independently and take care of themselves, and I am convinced that HIV is not a death sentence

I met my future husband three years later. I was very afraid to tell him about HIV, but I told him right away. He was shocked. I thought that we would never see each other again, but he stayed. We haven't had an intimate relationship for a long time. He didn't like to have sex with a condom, and in my case, he couldn't do without it. He eventually accepted the situation, we got married, and had a healthy son. The child was conceived in the usual way - this was my only unprotected sexual intercourse with my husband. The doctors told him what to do to prevent him from getting infected. Unfortunately, our marriage soon fell apart. My husband never talked about this, but it seems to me that this is due to restrictions on sex. Without intimate life, relationships fell apart.

Now I meet young people and go on dates. Some people, having learned my HIV status, immediately disappear, while others continue to communicate. Of course, it’s always scary to talk about HIV because you don’t know what the reaction will be. But you need to learn to perceive this not as a defeat, because relationships do not work out for many reasons. For example, many men who do not know my status are not ready to accept me with a child. Should I give up my child? No. The problem is not the child, but the fact that this particular man is not ready to communicate with a woman who has a child. So this man is not for me. It's the same with HIV.

I periodically meet people who cannot move independently and take care of themselves, and I am convinced that HIV is not a death sentence. We live a normal, full life: we work, we love, we give birth to healthy children - and this is great happiness.

“I was a dissident until I contracted HIV from my husband”

Ekaterina, 42 years old

Shortly before the wedding, my husband and I took tests, and it turned out that he had HIV. He panicked and suggested breaking up, leaving the last word to me. I somehow calmly accepted this news, I only said that they live normally with HIV - among my friends there were already discordant couples.

It turned out that women lived with HIV-positive men for several years, had unprotected sex and did not become infected. Then I came across dissident forums, and one friend began to convince me that she had lost her child after therapy. In general, for some time I became an HIV dissident. The husband did not say anything about this, but he felt great and did not take therapy. We didn't use any protection. Soon I became pregnant and gave birth healthy child. I didn’t tell the doctors about my husband’s status. She herself was also healthy.

The nurses at the maternity hospital, knowing about my HIV status, were afraid to go into the box to wash the floor.

Then I had an unsuccessful second pregnancy, and when I became pregnant for the third time, tests showed that I had HIV. This happened in the third year of our life together. But even after that, I didn’t want to take therapy, I was looking for workarounds. Soon my condition worsened, and I decided to talk to dissidents who had already given birth. I wrote to them private messages, asked how things were going. Mostly they didn’t answer me; those who did didn’t do well. Therefore, in the middle of pregnancy, I decided that I needed to take medication. The child was born healthy. I remember that the nurses at the maternity hospital, knowing about my HIV status, were afraid to go into the box to wash the floor.

Now I think that it would be better for me to protect myself, because it seems to me that my husband is consumed by guilt. I also became quite aggressive towards dissidents. Among my friends, there are still couples who are as negligent as we once were in therapy. I'm trying to convince them.

“My husband’s relatives do not know about my diagnosis”

Alexandra, 26 years old

I found out that I have HIV in 2009. This was not a shock to me: I had been injecting drugs and sleeping with HIV-positive people for many years. I came to the AIDS center to confirm the diagnosis and register. At that time, I had already given up drugs.

One day, an investigator rang at the door of my apartment, interviewing the residents: one of the apartments in our entrance had been robbed. That’s how I met my future common-law husband. His colleagues had worked in the department for a long time and knew me from a different perspective. I think they warned him. But even at the stage of courtship, I told him that I had used drugs before, that I had HIV and hepatitis C. This did not frighten him. The only thing he asked was whether I could give birth to healthy children.

We lived wonderfully. Sex - only with a condom. When they decided to have a child, they calculated ovulation and injected sperm into me with a syringe. I became pregnant, I was prescribed antiretroviral therapy, the viral load dropped to zero and we stopped using protection. We had a healthy daughter, now she is almost five years old.

After a couple of years, our relationship became obsolete. I thought that no one needed such cholera except my husband. But when I liked another man and I told him who I was and what I was, he was not afraid, he said that everything was fine. Then I realized that my fears were just prejudices. And she left her husband. True, we did not live long with our new friend: in fact, I was leaving not for him, but for my first husband.

My husband and I live in the same house with his brother and sister-in-law. Recently they showed a program about HIV on TV - they shouted with one voice that all infected people should be sent to the forest, behind the fence

Now I have been living with another man for three years. I immediately warned him that I had HIV. He is also a former drug addict, but he only has hepatitis. I have cured my hepatitis C, I am taking therapy, my viral load is zero - I am not contagious. I’m more afraid of getting hepatitis C back from him - the treatment was difficult.

My husband and I live in the same house with his brother and sister-in-law. Recently they showed a program on TV about HIV - they shouted with one voice that all infected people should be sent to the forest, beyond the fence. It’s better for them not to know about my diagnosis.

In general, I am no stranger to discrimination. Once in the dentistry, the doctor wrote “HIV, hepatitis” on the cover of the card in large letters. I went to swear, threatened the Malakhovs and Solovyovs - in best traditions- and they changed my card. In another dentistry, I decided not to say anything about my HIV status, but stupidly burned myself out when answering the question about what medications I was taking. The dentist widened her eyes, said that my teeth were fine, and sent me out. I had to have my teeth treated by another doctor.

Once I came to the antenatal clinic, brought booklets from the women’s help center, told the nurse that I was an equal consultant at the center and that if there are girls with HIV, send them to us. The head nurse, apparently, did not know who “equals” were, and began to yell: “Daughter, you better go work in the salon, and let these scum die! Over there I have a box with cards, let me turn away, and you write down the addresses and bring them your junk yourself.” I silently went to the manager, she was just running for deputy - they immediately allocated me a stand and took the booklets.

“I was afraid that my husband might die early due to HIV”

Roxana, 33 years old

We met in a Codependents Anonymous group. We saw each other a couple of times, he interested me. Then we met by chance in the subway: it turned out that we live in the same area. While we were driving, we started talking and from that day on we began to communicate more often. Well, somehow a relationship began. He asked me out on a date, and then admitted that he had HIV - he contracted it when he used drugs. I reacted calmly to this because I knew that I was in no danger if I controlled the virus and followed precautions. After some time we decided to get married. My mother found out about my future husband’s HIV status and tried to warn me, but I explained that I was in no danger. I wasn’t afraid of getting infected, but I got tested every six months. There was a slight fear that he might die early, but I knew many cases where people with HIV lived a long time. Faith in the best dispelled fears.

After six months of living together, when my husband’s viral load was consistently undetectable, we began to practice unprotected sex. This was our conscious choice. True, at first my husband dissuaded me because he was afraid for my health. Then we decided to have a child. The pregnancy was planned in advance, all tests were taken, and doctors were consulted. As a result, we had a healthy girl. Mom had to lie that we used contraception, and the child was conceived using artificial insemination, purifying the sperm. This made her feel calmer.

My husband and I lived together for nine years, then divorced: the feelings went away. He did not have a permanent job, but I, on the contrary, had career growth. When we first started living together, we wrote down our wishes for every year: travel, important purchases, personal achievements. Nothing came true. I had to plan everything myself. I lacked determination and action in my husband, but HIV had nothing to do with it, this is generally a problem for Russian men.

Thanks to breakthroughs in the development of drugs to treat HIV, infected people today can enjoy better quality and longer lives than before. In most cases, the disease does not affect patients' ability to work, study, or perform other social functions.

HIV affects millions of people across the planet. Typically, they live the same life as they had before diagnosis, although they still require ongoing care. medicines and regular medical check-ups.

Patients with HIV also have to take extra precautions to stay healthy and prevent spreading the dangerous virus to others.

In this article we will talk about the challenges that HIV-infected people have to deal with, and also look at methods to overcome them.

Antiretroviral therapy helps people living with HIV live healthy lives

Taking medication and regular medical check-ups are the most important parts of living with HIV.

HIV treatment is most often successful when patients actively participate in it.

To control HIV, people should take their medications every day and follow their doctor's instructions carefully. They also need to visit the hospital periodically to monitor the progress of treatment and its effectiveness.

That is, infected people need to constantly remember to take medications and visit the doctor, as well as monitor symptoms. It is convenient to perform these tasks using a calendar or special diaries.

Symptoms of opportunistic infections and cancer

HIV-positive people who do not receive the necessary treatment have an increased risk of developing a number of opportunistic infections and some forms of cancer.

Vaccination and antiretroviral drugs minimize the chances of developing complications. However, people with HIV should monitor their health and recognize symptoms of cancer and infectious diseases. They should also talk to their doctor about ways to reduce their risk of developing these problems. When opportunistic infections occur, they should be treated with antibiotics, antifungals, and other therapeutic strategies.

Healthy lifestyle

Proper diet and regular physical activity are of particular importance for people with HIV. A healthy lifestyle supports the immune system and the body's ability to fight infection.

Some of the basic dietary guidelines that HIV-infected people should follow include the following:

consumption large quantity fruits, vegetables and whole grains;
Including healthy fats in your diet, such as those found in nuts, avocados and olive oil;
consuming lean proteins such as fish, poultry, legumes and tofu;
avoiding processed foods, as well as foods high in sugar and salt.

People who are HIV positive sometimes have trouble eating or digesting certain foods. This is because HIV medications can upset your stomach or cause infections that make it difficult to swallow.

To avoid gaining or unintentionally losing weight, and to prevent specific nutrient deficiencies, people can work closely with a dietitian or doctor.

Regular physical activity is also important. Exercise stimulates immune function, improves appetite and mental health. In addition, an active lifestyle often helps to avoid constipation.

In most cases, patients with HIV can exercise in the same way as healthy people, unless the doctor prohibits it.

Food hygiene

In stage three HIV or AIDS, people are more likely to develop opportunistic diseases because they have a weakened immune system.

These patients should avoid potential sources of infection, including foods that may contain harmful microorganisms. Diseases that begin to develop in the digestive system are often difficult to tolerate by people with HIV-positive status. These health problems can cause longer recovery periods, hospitalization, and even death.

The following recommendations will help prevent infections:

Maintain hygiene when storing, consuming and preparing food;
avoid raw meat, seafood, eggs and unpasteurized dairy products;
never drink from lakes and rivers;
do not smoke, take drugs or drink alcohol.

In countries with poor hygiene standards, drink only bottled water, avoid using ice, and avoid consuming peeled fruits and vegetables.

Smoking, alcohol, drugs

By quitting smoking and alcohol you can strengthen your immune system

It is important for people with HIV to maintain their health at the highest possible level, since this can prevent the development of a number of dangerous complications.

To strengthen your immune system, you can do the following:

stop smoking;
give up alcohol or limit its consumption;
stop taking drugs.

Smoking significantly increases the risk of developing some forms of cancer, especially lung cancer. In addition, cigarette smoke contributes to the occurrence of other respiratory diseases. However, people with HIV are more likely to develop such complications.

Research conducted in 2017 by a group of researchers from African countries showed that a significant proportion of patients with HIV are smokers. And in 2013, American researchers discovered that such people often drink alcohol. At the same time, scientists noted that regular drinking of alcohol causes a poor response of the body to treatment and rapid progression of the virus. Drugs can affect the body in similar ways.

Consultative support for combating smoking, alcohol and drugs can be obtained from doctors.

Conversations about HIV with others

Support from others makes it easier for people to overcome the challenges that HIV poses to them.

Talking to friends or family members can help in this regard. In addition, you can collaborate with a psychologist or become a member of special support groups.

HIV-positive people do not have to tell their friends, acquaintances and colleagues about the disease. However, such a step often brings practical and emotional benefits. It can provide particular benefits during work activities, because infected people often need to leave the workplace.

Sexual partners should be aware of their HIV-positive status. Disclosing this information gives people with HIV the moral right to engage in intimate relationships and allows partners to make informed choices.

Psychological health

HIV can increase stress levels and lead to depression and anxiety. Therefore, infected people should protect their emotional health, avoid HIV-related complications, and take steps to increase their life expectancy.

Patients who experience symptoms of depression or anxiety should tell their doctor or mental health professional.

Depression and anxiety are highly treatable with specific medications and positive lifestyle changes. To manage stress and emotional distress, you can practice relaxation techniques, such as:

alternative medicine techniques - acupuncture, manual therapy or aromatherapy;
art therapy or music therapy;
deep breathing techniques;
doing things you love (hobbies);
meditation or mindfulness;
yoga.

Prevention of HIV transmission

People with HIV should:

use correctly during sexual activity;
do not share needles or other equipment associated with drug use;
promptly consult a doctor if signs of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are detected.

Pregnant women need to take medications exactly as recommended by their doctor. This should be done throughout pregnancy, as well as during childbirth and breastfeeding.

Getting enough sleep

Reading books and other relaxing activities help people fall asleep faster

A good night's rest is key to good physical and emotional well-being, as well as strong immune function.

Research by American scientists has shown that up to 70% of HIV-infected people suffer from sleep problems, which can develop under the influence of the following circumstances:

depression or anxiety;
taking medications to treat HIV;
medical conditions or symptoms associated with HIV;
sleep apnea;
Concerns about discrimination, relationships, or financial difficulties.

For proper rest, you should sleep from 7 to 9 hours every day. To achieve this result, you can adhere to the following recommendations:

go to bed and wake up at the same hours every day, even on Saturday and Sunday;
Relax before bed by taking a warm bath, reading a book, drinking herbal tea or listening to music.

People who experience severe sleep problems should talk to their doctor about the problem. A specialist can adjust the list of medications or recommend pills for insomnia. In addition, positive lifestyle changes or consultations with a psychologist can help.

Conclusion

Being diagnosed with HIV can be a huge shock, but in fact, people with the condition are often able to live full, long lives with the right treatment.

To stay well, HIV-positive patients should eat a healthy diet, exercise, avoid smoking, alcohol and drugs, manage stress and get enough sleep.

You also need to remember to take medications, see your doctor regularly, and watch for signs of opportunistic infections.

Infected people should also take steps to prevent transmission of the virus to others and tell sexual partners about their HIV status.

Living with HIV is a psychological challenge, but patients can seek support from friends, family members, doctors and special organizations.

Eleven steps to a fulfilling life with HIV-positive status. or A full life with HIV-positive status – is it real?!

How realistic is it to live a long and happy life if you are HIV positive? And if it’s real, then what needs to be done for this and what measures should be taken?

How realistic is it to live a long and happy life if you are HIV positive? And if it’s real, then what needs to be done for this and what measures should be taken? These and a number of similar questions are pondered by many who have experienced HIV infection first-hand. It should be remembered here that the health of a person who has been diagnosed with HIV infection largely depends on the state of his immune system, and therefore the primary task is to maintain it in working condition. To do this, you need to pay comprehensive, close attention to your body, namely:

· Have high adherence to treatment, i.e. demonstrate an active, sustained commitment to obtaining the necessary treatment.

· Lead a healthy lifestyle, which means completely giving up bad habits, stopping using drugs, eating right, maintaining physical and mental activity.

Below are some tips that will help solve the primary problem.

How to achieve high adherence to treatment?

If a person has learned about his HIV-positive status and has already registered with the Center for Prevention and Control of AIDS, it is very important for him to follow the recommendations of his attending physician, who will also be able to answer many of his questions.

Step two: Monitor your own immune status and viral load

To maintain their health, an HIV-positive person must constantly monitor their immune status. In HIV infection, the viral load, which normally should not be detected, and the CD4 count, the norm of which is on average 800-1050 cells/ml, are of great importance, that is, within 40% of the entire lymphocyte population.

The immunodeficiency virus, infecting CD4 cells, reduces their content in human blood. Therefore, the lower their level, the higher the risk of developing AIDS or opportunistic diseases. Antiretroviral therapy reduces the harmful effects of HIV on CD4 lymphocytes, and therefore reduces the risk of disease and death. However, according to studies, during the first five years of ART use, its effectiveness depends on 5 factors:

· clinical stage of the disease,

· CD4 cell level

· age of the patient;

· degree of drug addiction.

The risk of developing AIDS, opportunistic diseases and the possibility of death increases in proportion to the number of summarized factors and ranges from 5.6 to 77%.

Step three: start HIV treatment on time

There are a number of WHO recommendations for initiating ART in people living with HIV, which are based on clinical stages HIV infection

With timely initiation of antiretroviral therapy, life expectancy in people living with HIV is practically limited by natural age limits.

Step four: adhere to ART regimen

The regimen for taking medications and ART drugs is determined by the attending physician based on the results of the study and the individual characteristics of the HIV-infected person. The more carefully it is observed, the greater the chances of improving your immunity so much that you do not have to worry about the development of opportunistic infections and the last stage of HIV infection - AIDS.

Step five: get vaccinated

Due to the fact that with HIV infection the body cannot fully respond to bacterial and viral pathogens, it is necessary to consult a doctor about the possibility of vaccinations against tick-borne encephalitis, hepatitis A, B and other serious infectious diseases.

Step six: Comprehensive examination of the body.

It is important to regularly consult a dentist, ophthalmologist, or, for women, a gynecologist in order to promptly identify and prevent the development of a particular disease.

Organization healthy image life

Step seven. Proper nutrition.

Proper organization of the diet greatly affects the state of the immune system. For example, insufficiently thermally processed food products may contain pathogens. Therefore, it is safer for HIV-infected people to consume high-quality, natural foods, excluding by-products, drinks with dyes and alcohol from the diet.

Step eight. Vitamins and microelements

It is very important for people with HIV-positive status to take medications that would help compensate for the deficiency of useful nutrients. Reception any food additives or vitamin complex should be discussed with your doctor.

Step nine. Stay physically active

With the help of regular physical exercise You can improve muscle mass, strength and endurance, strengthen the activity of the heart and blood vessels, increase the strength of the skeletal system, eliminate insomnia and lack of appetite. Physical activity should be moderate and must be agreed with your doctor.

Step ten. Brainwork

If you engage in hobbies, read interesting literature and constantly learn some new achievements in science and technology, then there will be no time left for Bad mood and dark thoughts. Thanks to active mental activity, mental health will be in good shape.

Step eleven. Rejection of bad habits.

It is no secret that alcohol, smoking and especially drugs can kill even a healthy body. What can we say about one that, due to certain circumstances, is vulnerable and subject to constant attacks of all kinds of viruses. By giving up bad habits, you will strengthen the barrier created by the complex effects of medications, the efforts of doctors and the colossal energy you expended on this.

It is also always worth remembering that it always brings absolute benefits - a positive mood, a kind attitude towards others and the ability to find beauty even where it seemed, in principle, that it could not exist. So laugh more, sincerely rejoice, and then life will be truly fulfilling and bright!

15.12.2017 The disease, discovered in the twentieth century, remains undefeated, but scientists have learned to prolong the lives of patients

HIV was discovered in the 80s of the twentieth century. But people still know little about this virus or are confused about it. But the danger has not gone away.

In the 1980s, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was described, and in 1981, scientists at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention first described acquired human immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Then world hysteria arose. Those infected with HIV were considered outcasts, there were no effective drugs, and people did not receive adequate treatment.

Many years later. It would seem that with universal Internet coverage, people should know everything about HIV and AIDS. But there are no fewer misconceptions.

HIV infection progressively depletes the immune system, destroying the body's ability to fight off certain infections and other diseases. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) refers to the most advanced stages of HIV infection, in which any of more than 20 opportunistic infections or cancers characteristic of the disease appear.

A professor at the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Nizhny Novgorod University helped dispel misconceptions related to HIV. medical academy, Doctor of Medical Sciences Devora Mikhailovna Sobchak.

Myth one. If you become infected with HIV, it is certain death

There are several variants of the course of HIV infection. The first is rapid progression, when the AIDS stage occurs within five years from the moment of infection.

There are so-called “average progressors,” for whom the AIDS stage develops after eight to twelve years.

But there is another group, it is called “elite controllers”. These are patients who have had a low concentration of the virus for many decades, have no progression of the disease, and live for decades. But the virus remains in the body. There are few such patients - about 5%, but they exist.

In addition, antiviral drugs have now appeared that significantly prolong the life of patients. The very concept of treatment has changed radically. If previously treatment was prescribed to patients who had a sharp decrease in the number of immune cells, now antiviral therapy is prescribed as soon as the diagnosis is made.

Very effective antiviral drugs have appeared and all categories of patients, even pregnant women, should receive them.

Myth two. A woman with HIV can only give birth to a sick child

If a woman does not receive chemoprophylaxis, then the probability of infection of the child is 30–40%. This is enough high percent. But now all pregnant women with HIV infection from 13 weeks of pregnancy receive antiviral drugs daily. Let me note - conscientious patients.

The drugs are also administered to them during childbirth. Moreover, in the first hours of life, the child begins to take them as chemoprophylaxis, regardless of whether he is infected or not. After birth, the baby receives medications for two months. It is difficult to immediately say whether a child is infected or not, because he has maternal antibodies.

If a child is born healthy, then by 18 months his antibodies disappear. If they persist, it means the child has congenital HIV infection.

With chemoprophylaxis for the expectant mother, the risk of infection is reduced to 3%.

Myth three. The risk group is drug addicts and antisocial elements. Normal person can't get infected

I have to disappoint you. Currently, 50–60% of infections occur through sexual transmission. And all over the world, and here in Russia. The drug route dominated in the 90s.

So, as with sexually transmitted diseases, people should remember that unprotected sex can have very unpleasant consequences.

Myth four. Contracted HIV - became an outcast in society

Normal social people get treatment and take care of their health. In Europe, data is provided that patients with HIV infection live up to eighty years, and with the prescription of effective antiviral drugs, their quality and life expectancy improves. Now people with HIV, if they behave responsibly, are not disadvantaged in any way. And women give birth in maternity hospitals, and not as before - in infectious diseases hospitals.

These people can work and live a full life.

But it is worth noting that if the AIDS stage occurs, a person develops multiple organ failure, and this very quickly leads to death. But we have already said that this stage develops differently for everyone.

Now there is an interesting modern strategy “90–90–90”. These are the ways to overcome the HIV epidemic: 90% of success is determined by diagnosis, the next 90% by treatment, and 90% of those infected should have a sustained virological response. Only then can we overcome this epidemic.

Myth fifth. Treatment for HIV is painful, not everyone can bear it

This is often true. Like all antiviral drugs, drugs for HIV patients have side effects. And transferring them is the choice of the person himself. A person must be a fighter. Just like patients who receive drugs for viral hepatitis, these are fighters. They fight for their lives every day. They know how to overcome these side effects.

The attending physician guides such a patient, suggests how to overcome side effects, and may change the antiviral drug; today there are eight groups of them. You can always choose something less toxic.

I am seeing a girl with congenital HIV infection. She is on lifelong antiviral therapy. While taking these medications, she developed nausea and vomiting. I observed her for two weeks in the hospital and realized that these were indeed side effects from the drugs. We replaced them for her and the symptoms disappeared.

And, despite the congenital disease, this is a completely safe child. A smart, well-developed girl, very well read. A girl lives with her grandmother because her parents are drug addicts and have been deprived of parental rights. These are the dramatic stories we are faced with...

According to WHO, there are 36.7 million people living with HIV in the world.
20.9 million people on HIV treatment by mid-2017.
Antiretroviral therapy coverage is 76% of pregnant and breastfeeding women with HIV infection.

Devora Mikhailovna, our traditional question: how is HIV diagnosed and how should people protect themselves from this serious disease?

There are epidemiological and clinical indications for HIV blood testing. We doctors know who needs to be tested for HIV first. Social groups risk: drug addicts, people who often change sexual partners, homosexuals, people with sexually transmitted diseases, hepatitis B, C and D.

Contact persons and family members are also examined.

IN Soviet time If a person with a similar disease appeared in the family, everyone was examined almost forcibly. How are things now?

In general, this is a medical secret. If a diagnosis of HIV infection is made, we do not have the right to force someone to be examined. We only explain what danger a person faces so that he believes and understands the complexity of the problem.

Moreover, if the sick person does not want to inform his family about his illness, he may not report it. He should only say this to sexual partners. He must also report the disease if he is admitted to the hospital with another diagnosis. At work, he is not required to report this. Even in a family, if he does not want to tell his parents, he can remain silent about the disease.

And the advice is simple: there is now a popular call: “Find out your HIV status.” Just go and donate blood. I think this is very correct.