By : Hivpositivemarriage.com  |  Date : 31 JULY 2020


Dealing with HIV can be stressful and difficult to discuss with even the closest friends and family. Speaking privately with a therapist or being part of a community with the same medical condition can help someone understand how to lead a healthy, active life after diagnosis. Here are some of the question - Answer which may help you.

Q1

Recently Exposed to Hiv ?

A.

People who know that they have been exposed to HIV should seek care as soon as possible. If they are treated within 72 hours using post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), These emergency medications may help to reduce their chances of contracting HIV after they have been exposed to it.

Q2

What is Hiv Window period ?

A.

The time between exposure to HIV and when it becomes detectable in the blood is called the HIV window period. Most people develop detectable HIV antibodies within 23 to 90 days after infection. If a person takes HIV test during the window period, it’s likely they’ll receive a Negative result. However, they can still transmit the virus to others during this time. If someone thinks they may have been exposed to HIV but tested negative, should repeat the test.

Q3

My Partner is Hiv Positive and i am Negative?

A.

Regular antiretroviral treatment can reduce HIV to undetectable levels in the blood. At undetectable levels, the virus won’t progress to the later stages of HIV infection. In addition, the virus can’t be transmitted to a partner during sex. Taking other actions, like using a condom the right way every time you have sex or having your partners take daily medicine to prevent HIV (called pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP) can lower your chances of transmitting HIV even more.

Q4

My Viral load is undetectable still i be able to transmit to others?

A.

Undetectable=UnTransmittable (U=U), People pose effectively no risk of transmitting HIV when their viral load is consistently measured at fewer than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood. Treatment should begin as soon as possible after a diagnosis of HIV, regardless of viral load. The main treatment for HIV is antiretroviral therapy, a combination of daily medications that stop the virus from reproducing.

Q5

How to become Undetectable?

A.

Once the HIV enters your body, it launches a direct attack on your immune system. How quickly the virus progresses will vary by your age, overall health, and how quickly you’re diagnosed. Studies show that people who start early treatment after diagnosis, the more they benefit from antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART treatment reduces the amount of HIV in the blood, decreases HIV-related disease, and helps prevent transmission to others.

Q6

What are Symptoms of Hiv?

A.

As HIV gradually weakens your natural defenses, signs and symptoms will occur. There are several symptoms of HIV. Not everyone will have the same symptoms. It depends on the person & what stage of the disease they are in. The early signs of HIV may appear as symptoms similar to those caused by the flu. Don’t assume you have HIV just because you have any of these symptoms But if you think you may have been exposed to HIV, Get Tested. Checkout Early Symptoms of HIV to find out what happens when the virus enters your body and interrupts its systems.

Q7

Hiv and Women's Health ?

A.

Hiv may cause some health problem that are unique to womens. Women with HIV can experience changes to their menstrual cycle. Their periods may be lighter or heavier than normal, or they may not have a period at all. HIV-positive women may also have more severe premenstrual symptoms. Talk to your health care provider they will help you to navigate them.

Q8

I am Pregnant and i Have Hiv ?

A.

For women who are pregnant and living with HIV, taking antiretroviral medication during pregnancy and labor dramatically reduces the risk of transmitting HIV to the baby. Many women living with HIV are able to have healthy, Hiv Negative babies by accessing good prenatal care, which includes support for antiretroviral therapy. Babies born to Hiv Positive mothers receive HIV medication for four to six weeks after birth and are tested for the virus over the first six months of life.

Q9

I am hiv positive Can i Breastfeed the Newborn baby?

A.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a mother with HIV should avoid breastfeeding. WHO says Breast is always best, even for HIV-positive mothers Until recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) advised HIV-positive mothers to avoid breastfeeding if they were able to afford, prepare and store formula milk safely. But research has since emerged, particularly from South Africa, that shows that a combination of exclusive breastfeeding and the use of antiretroviral treatment can significantly reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to babies through breastfeeding. Contact you health care provider for more details.

Q10

   I have been tested Positive, How to Stay Healthy ?

A.

Hiv Medicines can't cure Hiv, But they help people with hiv live longer and healthier lives. If you are living with HIV, the most important thing you can do to prevent transmission and stay healthy is to take your HIV medication (ART) every day, exactly as prescribed. People living with HIV who take HIV medication daily as prescribed and get and keep an undetectable viral load have effectively no risk of sexually transmitting HIV to their HIV-negative partners. Checkout Stay healthy with Hiv for more info.

Q11

   I am Hiv Positive, After treatment can i become Negative?

A.

Hiv is a lifelong condition, No effective cure currently exists but with proper medical care, HIV can be controlled. The medicine used to treat HIV is called antiretroviral therapy or ART. If people with HIV take ART as prescribed, their viral load can become undetectable. If it stays undetectable, they can live long, healthy lives and have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV to an HIV-negative partner through sex, even if the other partner isn’t on PrEP and condoms aren’t used.

Q12

   What is Viral Load and CD4 count?

A.

An HIV viral load is the amount of HIV measured in a volume of blood (amount of HIV in blood). The goal of treatment is to lower viral load to be undetectable. Measuring viral load & CD4 count shows how well HIV treatment is working both to kill the HIV in the bloodstream and to allow the immune system to recover. The ideal results are to have an undetectable viral load and high CD4 count. If testing shows that a person’s viral load hasn’t become undetectable or that it’s gone from being undetectable to detectable, Ask your doctor, they may adjust the antiretroviral therapy regimen to make it more effective. CD4 cells (also known as CD4+ T cells) are white blood cells that fight infection. Healthy adults generally have a CD4 count of 500 to 1500 per cubic millimeter. A person with HIV whose CD4 count falls below 200 per cubic millimeter will be diagnosed with AIDS.

Q13

   What if i missed medication ?

A.

It poses no serious threat but don't make it a habit. One thing that can increase viral load is not taking HIV medicines the right way, every day. The higher your viral load, the more likely you are to transmit HIV to others. When your viral load is very low called viral suppression, with fewer than 200 copies or undetectable about 40 copies per milliliter of blood, your chance of transmitting HIV is reduced.

Q14

   What is Hiv Non-Reactive Test Result ?

A.

If you have been tested for HIV infection and received a non-reactive HIV test result. This means that the test did not find any evidence of HIV infection inside your body, Hence you are HIV Negative. But there is a period between the time of getting HIV & the time that an HIV test can detect HIV infection. If you have engaged in any risk behaviors for HIV quite recently or during the month prior to your test, you should speak to your doctor & get re-tested for HIV. 99% of HIV-infected individuals would be detectable within 90 days of possible exposure. Checkout What is Hiv 'Non-Reactive' test Result Means for more info.