If you are infected with HIV, you can lead an active life for a long time. There are many steps you can take to maintain your health and prevent the spread of HIV.

• Learn more about HIV to help you actively participate in your health care decisions.
• Get the immunizations and the medication treatment you need to prevent certain infections or illnesses, such as some types of pneumonia or cancer that are more likely to develop in people who have a weakened immune system.
• Join a support group to share your feelings and seek support from others who are in the same situation.
• Do not smoke. People with HIV are more likely to have a heart attack or get lung cancer.^{1, 2} Cigarette smoking can raise these risks even more.
• Do not use drugs, and limit your use of alcohol.
• Learn how to handle food properly to prevent the spread of food-borne illness. For more information, see the topic Food Poisoning and Safe Food Handling.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet to keep your immune system strong. Learn how to deal with the weight loss that HIV infection can cause.
• Exercise regularly to reduce stress and improve the quality of your life. Take steps to help prevent HIV-related fatigue.

A skilled and knowledgeable caregiver can provide the emotional, physical, and medical care that will improve the quality of life for a person who has HIV. If your partner has HIV:

• Provide emotional support, such as listening to and encouraging the person.
• Protect yourself against HIV infection and other infections by not sharing needles or having unprotected sex.
• Protect your partner with HIV from other infections by staying away from him or her when you are sick.
• Take care of yourself by sharing your frustrations with others and seeking help when you need it.
• Provide home care by learning how to give medicine and seek help in an emergency.

What to think about

Your doctor will consider certain factors such as drug resistance and medicine side effects in determining how best to treat your HIV infection. Treatment for HIV may help you live longer. But HIV can be a progressive, fatal disease. Many important end-of-life decisions can be made while you are active and able to communicate your wishes. For more information, see the topic Care at the End of Life.