Question
I am HIV positive – can I drink alcohol or eat pork?
7 January 2017. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Starting treatment, Supplements and herbs.
Hello,
I’m 29 years old and have been HIV positive for almost one year. I have known about my status since December last year. I’m currently living in Germany due to studies and I would like return to my country (Mexico) at the end of this year. My questions are:
1) I have attached the results from the last analysis that have been done and I would like to hear your overall opinion on these and if I should focus in some particular issue.
2) I’m aware that between the last two analyses I went to a party and I drank too much alcohol (about 1.5liters) and I regret it. When you are not on therapy is the alcohol more likely to affect me than when I am on therapy? I mean does it decrease my CD4 and increase my viral load? I don’t want to drink alcohol anymore but it would be nice to know.
3) The Dr. suggested I should not eat pork. I am making big changes in my lifestyle (diet, exercise, etc) and I would like to know if it is possible to estimate when I should start the therapy? I’m worried since I don’t know if I’m going to stay in Germany or move back to Mexico. I’ll be able to know by the end of this year but not before.
My Dr. provided me with this website and I find it amazing with all the information that it’s available for us to learn about the subject.
I really want to thank you all for the great work you do!
Answer
Thank you for your question, and for the feedback – and for your doctor :)
I will try and answer your questions according to the numbers you have given above.
1) Firstly, we are not doctors but HIV treatment advocates.
Monitoring your blood tests you should focus mainly on your CD4 count, your CD4% and your viral load. If you have changes in your liver enzymes, cholesterol or kidney function tests then you would need to monitor those as well.
2) Drinking alcohol will not affect your viral load or CD4 count. T
Moderate alcohol use should not be a problem. It is your decision if you don’t want to drink anymore but it should be because it is what you want to do rather than because you are HIV positive.
The reason you may have been to told to avoid excessive alcohol is that excessive alcohol use can damage the liver. The liver is the organ that filters drugs from the blood so if the liver is damaged then the body has trouble with the HIV treatments.
However, an interesting study showed that HIV positive people not on treatment, might have higher levels of alcohol, (than on ART).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22495786
Also excessive alcohol use can mean that people on medication may forget to take their treatment. This can lead to resistance which means the medication will no longer work.
3. Being HIV positive doesn’t mean you need to change your diet – other than to a more healthy one. A more healthy lifestyle is good for lots of reasons but can still eat the foods your want, including pork. Perhaps ask your doctor the reason they said this.
4. Since 2105, HIV treatment (ART) in generally recommended for everyone, even at high CD4 counts. This means it is good for everyone to think about HIV treatment.
If there are practical issue that mean you cant get treatment for a short time, then if your CD4 count is very high (over 500), this is usually also okay.
Once on treatment your viral load should become undetectable within the first three months.
This Introduction to ART has lots more information.
This answer was updated in January 2017 from a Q&A first posted in May 2010.
I’ve been positive since 2012. I look after myself and I’m healthy. I’m not on treatment. What do I need to do to stay well?
Hi Pauline,
The World Health Organisation recommendations are that everyone who is positive should be on medication. So yes, even with a high CD4 count, now is the right time.
I am 46 years old l was diagnosed positive in 1998 but l just started the treatment in june last year my cd4 count was 750 is it the right time
Dear Cora,
I’m sorry, it sounds like you are having a tough time at the moment. For many people testing positive can be difficult. Can you ask at the clinic for support during this time? Or there may be support organisations where you live that can help. It’s good that you’ve stared treatment. Finding out more about it can really help. There’s more in this guide to Introduction to ART (HIV treatment). Taking an HIV test is not a way that HIV is transmitted.
I am Sixty One and was just diagnose HIV Positive. I was devastated because I have not been able to pin point my source. I’m single, lonely and feel like my life is over as far as finding a husband now. I need a support system where can I turn. I’m in treatment and question whether the Nurse that did my test may be the culprit? What I do
Hi Andrew, HIV decreases your CD4 count when you’re not on ART. But being on ART can reduce your viral load to undetectable, and this can help your CD4 count recover.
But a healthy diet is good for your physical and mental health. It can reduce the risk and severity of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, depression and cancer. A vegetarian diet can be healthy too. You can find out more about eating a balanced diet in the i-Base guide to HIV and your quality of life.
Hello, I would like to know if being Veg decrease your cd4 count ?
Hi Mellow, it sounds like your doctor gave you good information. Since 2015, WHO guidelines have recommended HIV treatment (ART) for everyone, even at a high CD4 count. Some countries still wait until 500 if treatment access or cost is difficult. The START study showed it is better to start earlier than waiting until 350.
Hi
my cd4 count was 450 when my doctor adviced me to immediately start taking treatment,my question is was it too early to start or it is the right time?can I stop and start again when my cd4 is at least 350?thank you
Hi Snonymous,
Yes there is a risk. Therefore, you may want to talk to your ex partner.