Question
I'm HIV+, can I still drink beer?
26 March 2012. Related: All topics.
Hi
Thanks for all the help and support you provide.
I have been positive for 2 years i belive, but i was diagnosed last November 2011, now my CD4 Count is 670.
I would like to ask you if there will be any problem if I drink 2 beers once in a week, because i have been doing it i hope it wont affect me?
Answer
Thank-you for your question. I’m sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis- how are you coping with this? Can I ask if you are currently on any treatment? Also are you getting support from anybody to deal with finding out you are HIV positive?
There is no reason why being HIV positive should stop you having the occasional beer. Alcohol doesn’t affect HIV treatment and doesn’t make HIV worse. The only problem would be if you were drinking a lot of alcohol and forgetting to take your treatment. Drinking alcohol in moderation should not be a problem.
Hi Vanessa, you can drink alcohol. Alcohol will not interact with your treatment as long as it does not cause you to forget when to take it.
There are no additional problems with drinking alcohol when HIV positive. You can still drink alcohol within recommended limits: https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/alcohol
I feeling like drinking alcohol please can drink alcohol will it make my condition go worse
Dear Vee, I am very sorry but there isn’t an easy answer to your question. Alcohol can be a terrible drug. Unless your husband decides to take his health seriously, it is very difficult for you to help. Without HIV treatment he is likely to just become more sick. HIV meds could prevent this but he needs to take them.
I am also worried about your own health. Do you have anyone to talk to or someone who can help you?
Hie my husband defaulted for 5years now and is a heavy drinker how do l handle him l tried talking to him and some family members but he doesn’t listen now he is losing weight and having looking sick most of the time still he is not liking the clinic idea am hopeless now please help
HI Lauren, what makes you think your pills are getting stuck in your tummy? What HIV medication are you taking? Your pills will be absorbed by your tummy into your body.
Hi.
I’m using treatment but it feels like the pills is stuck in my tummy
What can I drink
Hi Remar,
There is no interaction expected between ARVs and salbutamol. And taking vitamin C alone, and not as a multivitamin, is also okay with most ARVs.
But it’s a good idea to check with your doctor if you want to take other meds with your ARVs. You can see if there is a likely interaction at this link to HIV drug interactions.