Healthy tips for PLHAs or HIV sufferers to stay fit and in shape

People living with HIV / AIDS or PLWHA must be extra careful in maintaining their health. The reason is, the symptoms and the risk of complications from the disease can make PLWHA more susceptible to getting sick. However, calm down. Having HIV is not the end of everything. Follow these tips so that people with HIV can always live healthy and actively carry out their daily routine as before.

Healthy living tips for PLWHA

After being diagnosed with HIV / AIDS, maybe your life will change. However, that does not mean that living with HIV makes you no longer deserving of the same rights as an undiagnosed person.

Everyone with HIV / AIDS can still actively take part in the community environment, including by continuing to be active and working normally.

1. Diligently taking medication

Healthy tips for PLWHA are the first to be diligent in taking medication. HIV disease cannot be cured. However, people with HIV can undergo existing treatments to prevent the spread of the virus to other people while controlling HIV symptoms and the risk of complications.

Antriretrovirus (ART) is a type of drug used for people with HIV. Treatment through ART is carried out to maximize the suppression of the HIV virus and stop the progression of HIV disease. Doctors recommend ART for all people with AIDS and HIV as soon as possible after diagnosis.

It is very important for PLWHA to regularly take medication according to what the doctor prescribes. The reason is, HIV can develop to weaken the immune system. In fact, skipping a dose of medication can cause the virus to become resistant or resistant to drugs.

When the virus is immune, the risk for sufferers to transmit HIV to other people is even greater. Not only that, the condition of people with AIDS and HIV can also worsen because the weaker immune system is attacked by various viruses.

2. Maintain a healthy diet

Healthy and nutritionally balanced food intake are healthy tips for the next PLWHA. Good dietary intake can help boost the immune system of people with AIDS and HIV, relieve symptoms, and prevent complications of HIV.

Make sure the food you eat contains a balanced diet which includes protein, carbohydrates, fiber, good fats, and vitamins and minerals. Don't forget, also count the calorie intake that enters the body.

Usually people living with HIV experience a drastic weight loss. If the body of a person with HIV gets thinner, the more calories are needed.

3. Exercise routine

The weakened immune system makes PLWHA susceptible to various viral infections. However, research has found that low to moderate intensity exercise can actually help people living with HIV / AIDS avoid the various risks of other viral infections.

Choose the type of exercise you enjoy, whether it's yoga, running, cycling, swimming, or even just walking. Doing something that you really enjoy can encourage you to keep doing it, including in sports matters.

4. Reduce the risk of transmission to others

HIV is spread through certain bodily fluids from an HIV infected person such as blood, semen (which contains sperm), pre-ejaculatory fluids, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.

So, PLWHA must protect the people around them, including work colleagues, from the spread of HIV. That way, the people around you can respect you and make you more confident and think more positively.

Practicing safe sex using a condom is also an HIV prevention measure that people with HIV can take.

Not only prevents transmission of the HIV virus to other people. This method can also be done to protect you and your partner from other sexually transmitted infections.

5. Stop smoking

The effect of smoking on the body of people with HIV can be twice as dangerous. That's why quitting smoking can help PLWHA live healthier and feel better, both physically and emotionally.

As a bonus, quitting smoking will also help prevent a number of health problems and reduce chronic diseases later in life, such as heart attacks and strokes.

6. Manage stress well

People with HIV are prone to depression either because of the side effects of drugs or the negative stigma they receive from society. Therefore, avoiding stress is the main key to keeping your mind and body healthy.

There are many ways to manage stress in PLWHA, ranging from meditation, learning deep breathing techniques, and doing various things that you like. Meanwhile, when in the lowest phase of life, people with HIV can try to keep thinking positive and believe that everything can certainly be passed.

PLWHA does not need to hesitate to confide in family, relatives, spouses, or closest friends. If people with AIDS or HIV feel unable to stand the pressure they are facing, you can also consult the nearest doctor or psychologist.

If people with HIV face serious problems at work, make sure you are able to manage your emotions well. Ask a coworker you trust for help or ask your boss for their opinion.

It's good to be candid about HIV disease that you suffer. This is because covering HIV status tends to lead to discrimination against PLHIV in the workplace.

Conversely, disclosing your status as PLWHA can be one way to ensure protection in your workplace from discrimination and unfair treatment.

7. Wash hands and vaccinate

HIV makes the immune system of PLWHA decrease. As a result, the body of people with HIV is more susceptible to exposure to viruses, bacteria and germs. To avoid exposure to these germs, make sure PLWHA get in the habit of washing their hands as often as possible. Especially before eating and after defecating and urinating.

PLWHA also need to avoid people who are sick, for example, catching the flu. If it is urgent, use a mask as the first protection if you want to communicate with someone who is sick.

In addition, do vaccinations to prevent various diseases. However, people living with HIV need to consult a doctor first if they want to get vaccinated.

Tips for caring for people with HIV (PLWHA)

What if you are the person responsible for caring for PLHIV at home?

Caring for PLWHA or people with AIDS and HIV is not something easy, both physically and mentally. It will take you a lot of effort to help them deal with the emotional changes of people with AIDS and HIV as well as your feelings about your fear of the spread of HIV.

With these tips, you can treat not only AIDS and HIV sufferers, but yourself who have HIV.

1. Learn about HIV

To treat PLHIV, the first thing you need to do is to understand properly about HIV in order to be a good nurse and protect yourself. You have to start to forget your fear when you are around the patient.

To treat people with HIV, you have to learn a number of HIV facts. Get as much information as possible from leading organizations such as the Indonesian Red Cross, the Ministry of Health, HIV / AIDS care foundations, local health offices, or community assistance organizations around your area.

However, you need to sort out forums or sites that have been verified by experts. If you have enriched yourself with information about HIV, you can easily solve all the problems when treating PLHIV.

2. Talk to them, but don't force it

Don't be afraid to talk to PLWHA about their illness. Invite HIV sufferers to share so you can understand their condition.

Try to get closer to people with AIDS to be able to know more about their health status so far and also their feelings.

This way, you can find more different ways to help treat PLHIV. Sometimes, sitting quietly together and enjoying the atmosphere is also a good way to show your empathy for PLWHA.

3. Inadequate nutritional needs

The health condition of people with HIV is not good at all. PLWHA need to eat more healthy foods for body activities to take place. The disease also cannot get better without enough healthy food.

PLWHA need a healthy diet that is rich in nutrients and nutrients, fiber and fluids. For this reason, it is better for you to consult with a doctor or nutritionist to determine the right diet and diet for PLWHA.

Special attention is also needed in preparing food for PLHIV, with food safety and hygiene as the main factors. Always keep your hands, cooking utensils, and food preparation surfaces clean and sterile.

Wash all fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and limit your intake of uncooked seafood, raw eggs, fatty, fried or spicy foods.

If the patient experiences symptoms such as nausea or vomiting, take him to the doctor for treatment.

4. Get help

If you cannot treat PLHIV on your own or you are unsure of your own safety helping someone with HIV, you should contact your doctor as your own protection.

If you are overwhelmed, you can hire a health worker to care for family members or loved ones who become PLWHA.

5. Take care of your health

You can't treat someone with HIV if you don't have a healthy body. You have to take care of your own health to prevent fatigue.

To better care for people living with HIV / AIDS, you also need to get adequate rest. Exercising can help relax your mind and muscles and strengthen your immune system.

In addition to being an ODHA nurse, you also need to take time off to pamper yourself. Don't miss your hobbies. Caring for other people is difficult and can be stressful work, so you need to enjoy your own life and take good care of your own health.

As an PLWHA nurse, your daily job is to help them fight disease and change their outlook on life to be more positive.

Whenever you feel afraid, worried, anxious or stressed, talk to your doctor or other people so that you can immediately overcome the negative emotions that surround you, and return to care for people with HIV as best as possible.

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