1. Emotional
a. Face the fact that you have a disease and accept it as soon as possible so you can focus fast on your life. Don't look back and blame other people for what had happened to you. What's important is that you are still alive and have the capacity to live happy.
b. Be strong to tell your partner, your loved ones that you have the virus. It helps to unload. It will help you not to worry when you have a strong support system.
c. Don't be scared. Read and educate yourself to be ready. Talk to people who are knowledgeable about your condition. List down all your questions and ask your doctor.
d. Have a positive outlook. HIV is not a death sentence anymore. One can have a long and happy life as long as you follow what the doctor tells you to do.
2. Financial
a. Be ready for the financial burden that the diseases carries.
b. Make sure that you are an active member of PhilHealth to lessen the costs. Ask your hub how it can assist you. If you are an active member of a health insurance, be sure that you read the policy.
c. Always save for the 2 important tests every 3 to 6 months: the CD4 count and the viral load count. They are the most expensive ones and the most important. These tests will define the progression of your virus and your treatment. Usually the hub, gives free baseline tests only and you pay for the succeeding tests.
d. Save money for consultation visits, hospitalizations and possible medications for other infections, if they manifest.
3. Physical
a. Have a healthy lifestyle and do what your doctor tells you to do.
b. Quit smoking and drinking!
c. Be active. Exercise regularly.
d. Have a healthy diet
e. Help protect yourself and strengthen your immune system by not getting sick and by having a good hygiene. Always wash hands, gargle with listerine if possible and avoid too crowded places. Always bring handkerchief and avoid dealing with soil and cat litter. Be careful with what you eat, especially street food and soiled food.
4. Social
a. Don't be paranoid. Read and educate yourself on how you can communicate your disease with other people. Help your family and friends understand that the disease can't be transferred to them by kissing, hugging, touching or sharing utensils and bathroom.
b. Enjoy your life to the fullest. Socialize.
c. When it comes to sex, it is wise to be responsible. Be monogamous and stick to your partner. Always use protection. If you can, abstain from sex.
d. Read on how you can stop the spread of HIV. Have a commitment that HIV stops with you.
e. Share your knowledge about HIV, anonymously if you're not ready to reveal yourself.
f. Read the law against discrimination. Know your rights.
5. Vocational
a. If you're ready, you can tell your boss about your condition for future reference to illnesses.
b. Know your employee rights. Know the law against discrimination.
c. Be ready. There are countries that don't allow pozzies for employment abroad. Just be productive and look for job placements where you are accepted.
d. Read on how you can protect other people from communicating your disease through your work. It's best to be safe.
6. Readiness to Treatment
a. Cut off is 350 CD4 count. Be ready for treatment if your CD4 count falls below the cutoff.
b. Read about the 1st line regimen fast. Know the medicines.. what they do and their side effects. Read about the availability of medicines. Start to believe in that the medicines really work.
c. Read and educate yourself. Know about adherence, compliance and resistance.
d. Ask other pozzies on how they are dealing with ARV's. Read blogs and personal accounts.
e. Read the risks of not having treatment. Understand the urgency of treatment.
f. Know that treatment is a lifetime process while waiting for a cure.
g. Know about the different hubs. Compare and contrast their functions and their facilities.
h. Know the different tests needed how frequently they are required.
FOR TOPIC SUGGESTIONS, please email me at pozziepinoy@yahoo.com
DONATE to The Love Fund : The Love Fund