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.
Is their original and generic arv’s? And if yes which ones are effective?
Hi Thando,
Yes its fine to drink when taking meds, its won’t affect your medication. The thing is not to forget to take your med.
Hi I was diagnosed HIV positive on 1998, but I started using arv’s on 25 June 2018 because my cd4 count 501, Can I continued drinking alcohol if I’m using arv’s
Hi Tsering,
Unfortunately we are not doctors at i-Base. But symptoms like these can be checked out with the doctor. If you mean you were at risk of HIV 11 days ago you can ask at the clinic for an HIV test. If you tested HIV positive 11 days ago then you can ask the clinic for test results and talk about starting HIV treatment.
Hellow,
1. Can burning sensation in legs , hand & face be HIV.
2. Just 11 days old case.
3. Lady is very sure that she is ok
Plz advice .
Hi Amanda,
From what you’ve said you’re doing great. You’re in control of your HIV and life seems to be going well. You should be really proud of yourself.
Hello Team
I was diagnosed with HIV in May 2017 when I was 2 months pregnant, I started meds immediately, my CD4 count was 315, as hard as it was I had to accept my condition and think about the previous life I was carrying. I took my meds religiously, to date I haven’t missed a dose as a result I was undetected in just 3 months being on meds. I gave birth to a whooping 4.5 KG baby who’s now 8 months old and HIV negative. I breastfed EXCLUSIVELY for six months with the baby on Doctrim. I’m still breastfeeding and planning to stop when my baby turns atleast 1 (he is still on Doctrim). I just did pap smear and my results came NEGATIVE. Currently my CD4 count is 1059. I eat healthy (vegetables, white meat and very occasionally red meat, fruit, low carbohydrates, nuts and fresh milk) I drink water about 2-3 litres daily, green tea or rooibos. I use raw honey instead of sugar. I jog on weekends and go to the gym for cardio 3 times a week. I never drank alcohol nor smoked before.
My question is, am I on a right track or is there anything I need to change or add to my lifestyle?
Thank you
Amanda
Hi Gideon,
ARVs are supposed to be taken daily. Is there any reason why you’re missing 3-4 days worth of meds? How often is this happening?
When someone doesn’t adhere to their medication, they risk increasing their chances of resistance to their medication. This isn’t ideal as this could potentially limit a person’s treatment options.
hello thanx a lot my question is DAT wen am on ARVS and I get a trip for about 3-4days wen am nt nt on treatment how can this affect my system
Hi Michael,
There are no specific entry or residence regulations for people with HIV/AIDS. You can see more here.