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Living with good health requires more than managing your HIV. That’s because people living with HIV (PLWH) are at risk for comorbidities, which are medical conditions that coexist with HIV. You can reduce the risks of comorbidities in a variety of ways.
It’s important for PLWH to take antiretroviral therapy, or ART, exactly as prescribed to suppress HIV to undetectable levels in the blood. You also can receive regular screenings and preventive care to reduce risks associated with chronic health conditions, get recommended vaccinations, and follow healthy diet and exercise regimens.
According to the National Institutes of Health, PLWH are at elevated risk for developing chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancers, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease. PLWH are also at elevated risk for developing coinfections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and tuberculosis.
You can live a long and healthy life by managing risks associated with these co-morbidities.
Read more at these Illinois HIV Care Connect web pages:
- Avoiding or managing chronic health conditions
- Vaccination, treatment fights infections
- Managing side effects and drug interactions
- How you can reduce your comorbidity risks
- Exercise is a powerful tool for health beyond HIV
- Eating healthy pays life longevity dividends
- Updated HIV therapies help people live healthy
This page’s content was adapted from information found on nih.gov and hiv.gov.
