for Veterans and the Public
Move forward with your life
Life does not end with a diagnosis of HIV. In fact, with proper treatment, people with HIV usually live long healthy lives. HIV can be a manageable chronic disease, like diabetes or heart disease. Taking care of your overall health can help you deal with HIV:
- Take your medicines every day
- Get regular medical and dental checkups
- Eat a healthy diet
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid smoking and recreational drug use
- Go easy on alcohol
- Use condoms during sex (it can protect others from getting HIV, prevent unintended pregnancy, and protect you from other sexually transmitted diseases)