HIV

Pedro Julio S. (PJ) was diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in March, 1994. Even though he had specifically requested the test, he was still shocked. "At first, I couldn't believe it. I had only had sex once, with someone that I dated for six weeks. I was devastated because I was very young and couldn't think of living my adult life with HIV."

His doctor recommended that he start taking medications immediately, but he never followed the regimens. "After trying for a couple of weeks, I discontinued the meds. It was too burdensome, taking 15 a day, plus vitamins, and the side-effects were horrendous: hallucinations, diarrhea, headaches, mood swings, etc."

He practiced "safe sex" to protect his partners, but continued to live his life with little regard to the disease. For 13 years, he went back to seek medical treatment several times, but each time failed to follow the prescribed regimen.

Finally last year, PJ decided to go to the doctor for a check-up. His T-cells were down to 142—a normal, healthy person has a T-cell count of between 450 and 1400 cells per microliter. Worse, his viral load count—the test that measures exactly how much HIV is present in the blood—was up to 100,000.

"My doctor told me to either start the medications or face the consequences of full-blown AIDS. After a good-cry, I decided that it was time to start the regimen, and I'm following it as I should. Now after 13 months, my T-cells are up to 251, and my viral load count is undetectable."

PJ has a blood test every three months at his local clinical laboratory to check for T-cell count and viral load, and to monitor his overall health by checking his cholesterol, hemoglobin, and red blood cells levels.

Having learned about the importance of regular testing and disease management, PJ has some advice for others newly diagnosed with HIV. "Get tested! Follow your doctor's orders. If he or she tells you to start a regimen, do so immediately, keep a healthy lifestyle, and make sure that you have regular blood tests to monitor your health."