Living with HIV in the Philippines: Email 486: About Symptoms, Smoking and Healthy Living

Hi Pozziepinoy.

December 23, 2013-- I felt the syptoms of HIV ---
January 2, 2014--HIV test result I am positive
January 8, 2014 - CD4 counts 400 - councillor advice me to have a healthy living and check my cd4 again on April 1, 2014...he told me that Asian guidelines for taking ARV cd4 below 350.....

My question:
At present why is it that I feel the symptoms of HIV such as a small rashes and neck pain.

How to live a healthy living? If I am going to quit smoking immediately is their any side effects of my health?

Thanks.
XXX

POZZIEPINOY’S RESPONSE

Hi XXX.

Thank you for your email.

Since you are HIV positive, any symptom should be reported back to your HIV doctor. Even though you are not yet on ARV's, you need to be seen by your doctor because you said that you have rashes and neck pain. It could be anything and like what I always tell our fellow PLHIV's, we all need to focus on our health now. Most of us have been irresponsible before, so let's be responsible of ourselves now. And yes, try to quit smoking.

Now about healthy living, you can check out these tips to help you boost your immune system:

1. Boost Your Own Immune System

2. Don't get Sick!

3. This is For You

4. Above 350

5. Full Time Job

6. Boost Your Immune System Video

7. Just Don't get Sick

8. Sleep and HIV

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

Stay healthy,

Pozziepinoy