Living with HIV in the Philippines: Email 591: On the Job with Low CD4

kapag mababa po ba ang cd4 count need po bang umalis sa trabaho?? wala po kasi akong maipangtutostos sa pa g araw araw pag umalis ako sa trabaho ko sana po masagot nio ang katanungan ko.

salamat

XXX

TRANSLATION

If the CD4 count is low, do I need to quit my job? I won't be able to afford my daily expenses if I would quit my job. I wish you can answer my question.

Thank you.

XXX

POZZIEPINOY’S RESPONSE

Hi XXX.

Thank you for your email. Thank you for sharing your concern with me and my readers.

Having a low CD4 doesn't necessarily mean that one has to quit his or her job in order for his immune system to recover especially if one can't afford not to have a job. However, if one has an option, it is still best to just focus on one's health and stay at home for a few months until his or her immune system has already rebounded. This is to ensure that no distraction from one's recovery will be on the way.

I have talked to a lot of PLHIV's who are still working even with low CD4. Like you, most of them can't afford not to work. However, most have slower CD4 recovery because of all the stresses coming from work, from their unavoidable exposure to illnesses from the workplace or during their daily commute, from the inadequacy of valuable sleeping hours and to poor nutrition and exercise. There were also instances that it is harder to adhere to ARV scheduling because of work needs (for instance one has been stuck in a meeting, travelling with time differences, etc).

In your case, since you can't afford not to work, then you have to do all the things to help your immune system to rebound, no matter what, even with the normal stresses of work while your CD4 is still low. Here are some tips that you can try to follow:

1. Always remember that you can't get sick as HIV replicates (and can hurt both your CD4 count and your viral load count) whenever one is sick. To avoid illnesses from the workplace:

a. Always use hand sanitizers if using the bathroom, door knobs, after shaking hands, etc.

b. Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.

c. Use disinfectant spray on your working table, pens. You can also wipe your keyboard

with a clean cloth dabbed with alcohol.

d. Ask your HIV doctor for a prescription of all the vaccines that you need to protect you

e. If you are not embarrassed, wear a mask at work or in crowded places. It takes a lot of

guts to do this but if this will help your immune system to get stronger, then why not?

2. Make sure that you get at least 8 hours of sleep everyday. Make sure to finish everything on time so you won't commit to an overtime.

3. Eat more frequently while at work. Your metabolism is higher because of the active virus in you so make sure to counter it with increased nutrients. Also drink more juices and at least 8 glasses of water each day.

4. Even with your hectic schedule, make sure that you add at least 3x a week of at least an hour of exercise whether cardio or strength training to boost your immune system. You can add tai-chi or yoga to help you relax and deal with the normal stresses of life.

5. Make sure to remove all vices, that is, smoking, drinking, alcoholic drinking, etc.

6. If ever you get sick, don't force yourself to go to work. Take a sick leave or a leave of absence until you are cured from your illness.

7. Make sure to take your ARV's on time. No excuses, even while at work. The priority is your health no matter what.

a. If your alarm rings during a meeting, just excuse yourself. Period.

b. During travels, make sure to plan how you would adjust your schedule of taking ARV's.

c. If you a have a shifting schedule, then plan your adjustments too with your schedule

of intake of ARV's. The rule is better to be advanced than late.

8. Stay positive, smile, love others and not hurt other people. I know the workplace is a place where you will deal with different personalities, with people with different moods, with people with different emotional presentations. However, you need to challenge yourself to stay positive as you face these challenges at work.

Recovery of the immune system is a full time job as I always say. However, with work, it becomes harder, but it IS STILL POSSIBLE. As long as one puts 100% of his mind and heart to what he is doing, and in this case, everything for the benefit of his health, then nothing can go wrong, even with a low CD4 while on a job.

I hope I was able to answer your concerns. Feel free to email me again if you have other questions.

Stay healthy,

Pozziepinoy