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 on treatment for 2 years now and my CD4 has gone up from 420 to 762 now. But I’m still weak, what could be the problem?
Hi Londi, Finding out you’re HIV positive can be a difficult time for most people. It’s good that you’re on treatment because in 2016 it’s safe and effective. Many people can expect long and healthy lives.
But if one of you is HIV positive and one of you is HIV negative you need to be careful to reduce the risk of transmission.
Condoms used correctly protect against HIV, so most sero-different couples become very good at using condoms.
You can find out more about risks and testing here:
http://i-base.info/guides/testing
Hi, I’ve just found out that I am HIV positive, and yes I did tell my partner about my status. So we decided to go test together and he tested negative, and he stil refuses to use a condom. I am on treatment now. Should I be worried or not?
Hi Daniel
This is all still very new to you but you will come through everything okay with a little time.
You should ask you Mum to tell your brother that it is not news for him to share. But even though it wasn’t your choice, sometimes it is easier in the long run for you not to have to worry about HIV being a secret.
This means taking a strong attitude to your HIV status not being anyone else’s business. You have been unlucky in catching HIV – but there is good treatment and you can still lead a long and active life.
HIV treatment is very effective – and with an undetectable viral load you are not a risk ot others.
A balanced diet is good – whther positive or negative – but oyu can still eat pizza and chips if you like this and it makes you feels better now.
Getting good advice from a doctor about HIV treatment will have a bigger impact on your long-term health.
Ask the clinic where you tested if there are HIV support grops that you can contact as this can also help.
I have just found out that I am hiv positive and have only known about it a few days.
I told my mum and she said she had to confide in my brother, when she told me which brother I panicked cos she told the opposing brother that I have never got on with.
I wanna say that the advice I was given not to tell people until ur ready was wise but I didn’t think of this situation.
I’m just hoping that he doesn’t confide in someone else that will confide or chitchat so I’m kinda half wishing I never told my mother now, just a thought for u all out there.
I also dunno what to eat that’s heathy so I went out and bought fresh fruits and veg I hate it cos I was a pizza and chips guy for long time.
It sounds like your partner and children have all been very lucky if this was before you started treatment.
If your viral load is undetectable on treatment, there is very little risk of transmission now.
Does your partner know about your HIV status. This will be important to talk about.
I’m 47 years old I have 4 kids and their mother all they are negative but I’m hiv positive and now she three weeks expecting a baby shes still negative.
I’m taking a treatment now
HIV treatment alone is the way to increase your CD4 count. Once you’re taking treatment your CD4 count goes up. This usually takes time, and it can go up slowly.
Since my CD4 Count is 151 what can I do to make it reach above 500 besides hiv treatment alone.
Hi Iona, it is very difficult to help you. It sounds like you know how important it is for your bf to see the doctor.
Perhaps show him this answer online. With such a low CD4 count he needs to have HIV meds. These are easy to take and very effective. He can also ask me any questions if this helps. I have been on treatment for years and they saved my life.
I hope he listens to you.