Diseases most at risk in people with HIV / AIDS (PLHA)

People living with HIV AIDS (PLWHA) are prone to experiencing various chronic infectious diseases. As long as it infects the body, human immunodefeciency virus (HIV) targets white blood cells that are part of the immune system. As a result, people living with HIV / AIDS have weaker immune systems so that they are at risk of contracting various diseases in their bodies. This risk needs to be watched out for so that HIV / AIDS survivors avoid various factors that can aggravate their condition.

List of diseases most at risk for PLWHA

HIV / AIDS is a serious infectious disease that can be life threatening. The reason is, the impact of HIV infection does not only cause disturbances in the immune system, but also leads to co-infection. Co-infection is a bacterial infection that occurs at one time in the body simultaneously.

The progress of HIV treatment nowadays indeed allows PLWHA to survive longer, even the chance to recover completely. However, the threat of other health problems still lurks during treatment.

This is a list of diseases that most often occur in PLWHA, so it is necessary to be aware of the mode of transmission and its trigger factors:

1. Hepatitis

One of the parts of the body most susceptible to co-infection is the digestive system, including the liver. Diseases such as hepatitis B and C are most common in PLWHA.

The modes of transmission of these two diseases are similar to HIV transmission, namely through sexual contact and the use of non-sterile needles. Therefore, some of these diseases are experienced by PLWHA who have a free sex lifestyle and use illegal drugs.

Long-term treatment for hepatitis is necessary to prevent fatal damage to the liver.

2.Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterial infection that is transmitted through the air. This disease attacks the lungs directly and causes symptoms of chronic respiratory disease to appear.

If not treated properly, various other complications can occur in PLWHA. This is because tuberculosis can spread to various parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, bones and intestines.

TB disease is a disease most at risk experienced by people with HIV / AIDS (PLWHA). Coinfection of TB with HIV requires strict treatment that can last 6-12 months.

3. Opportunistic infections

Opportunistic infections are most likely experienced when HIV has reached a late stage or has entered the AIDS stage (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). The most serious stage of infection is characterized by the number of white blood cells, especially the CD4 type, dropping drastically below 200.

According to the CDC, opportunistic infections in PLWHA cause the emergence of various serious diseases due to fungal, viral and bacterial infections.

Venereal diseases such as herpes simplex, pneumocystis jirovecii lung infection and candidiasis are the most common diseases experienced by people living with HIV due to opportunistic infections.

4. Depression

Apart from infection, illness or mental health problems are also at risk for PLWHA. HIV / AIDS survivors often experience social discrimination due to the stigma that develops in society.

This social rejection can lead to the emergence of various psychological problems in HIV survivors that lead to serious depression which hinders the healing process of their own disease.

In one study published in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine, the symptoms of depression caused by HIV that most often occur in PLWHA include anxiety disorders, frustration, feelings of isolation or isolation.

Tips for preventing the emergence of disease in PLWHA

Co-infection with diseases can cause the physical and mental health conditions of PLWHA to decline drastically. In handling it, PLWHA needs to undergo various other treatments outside of routine HIV / AIDS treatment itself, which is actually quite burdensome.

The more treatment you take, the higher the risk of side effects that arise. Therefore, the best step that can be taken by PLWHA is to implement measures to prevent other diseases.

In addition to following the rules of medical treatment and doctor's recommendations, PLWHA need to follow the following healthy living tips:

Implementing a healthy diet with a balanced nutrition menu to strengthen the immune system against HIV infection.
Maintain physical fitness and psychological health by exercising regularly.
Avoid consuming addictive substances, such as cigarettes and alcohol, to improve lung, kidney, and liver health.