HEALTH CHECK UP

• World AIDS Day
• Know the Difference between a Cold and H1N1 Flu Symptoms

World AIDS Day

As we prepare to recognize World AIDS Day on December 1, it is important to acknowledge and reflect on the many changes that have occurred in the HIV/AIDS Epidemic. Today, we are able to see that people are living well with HIV disease. In the past nine years, the number of people living with HIV/AIDS has increased as new HIV infection diagnoses has exceeded the number of deaths among people reported with HIV/AIDS each year. From 1999 to 2007, the number of people living with HIV/AIDS increased by 38%. (Massachusetts HIV/AIDS Epidemic at a Glance/Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Office of HIV/AIDS, November 2008).

A number of new and improved treatment regimens for people living with HIV/AIDS have made living with HIV disease long term more manageable. In some ways, living with HIV disease has become similar to monitoring any chronic illness although there is still no cure. One of the key components to living a healthy life with HIV/AIDS is maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Keys to a healthy lifestyle include proper nutrition, getting enough sleep, exercise, safer sex, and most importantly, engaging in medical care with your physician and an HIV/Infectious Disease Specialist. There are support systems available for persons living with HIV/AIDS at most primary care facilities like health centers and hospitals. There are also independent AIDS Service Organizations that offer support services to assist people living with HIV/AIDS. HIV support services can help individuals identify appropriate medical services. In addition, HIV support services can also provide individual counseling, group peer support, case management, and help disclosing your HIV status to your friends and family.

In order to optimize your health as a person living with HIV, it is very important to know your HIV status. An estimated 21% of people living with HIV infection do not know their HIV status. (Massachusetts HIV/AIDS Epidemic at a Glance/Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Office of HIV/AIDS, November 2008) It is really important for all of us to know our HIV status. This is the first step necessary to ensure early entrance into treatment and medical care.

If you are interested in more information about free, anonymous HIV counseling and testing, you can call the Massachusetts HIV/AIDS hotline at 1 800 235-2331.