HIV infection is no longer the "automatic death sentence" it once was. There are steps that you can take, care you can seek, treatments you can try that may help you live a longer, more productive life than was once thought possible with such a diagnosis.
A person diagnosed with HIV or AIDS could expect to need the support of family, friends, or helpful community groups. Prompt and ongoing medical care would become priority.
Living with HIV or AIDS might include getting regular tests to monitor the body's immune response and viral load tests to measure disease progression. Both types of tests can help direct treatment. People with this disease are also advised to get vaccinations and shots to prevent outbreaks of other conditions such as hepatitis or the flu.
People with HIV or AIDS will need to make lifestyle modifications to protect themselves and those closest to them. If you have HIV or AIDS, it is imperative that you honestly disclose your condition to any new sexual partner. To prevent from passing HIV to your partner, you will need to use condoms when having sex.
Also, if you have HIV, AIDS, or any other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and you are considering becoming pregnant, you should talk to your doctor first.