As the anti-HIV drugs break down body fat into the bloodstream and raise cholesterol, these fat
plaques can break off and head for the heart and then it's likely that
it will be curtains for us in a most unexpected way.
'A little wine for thy stomach's sake' was one of the few sensible things
St Paul ever said and scientists have now shown that people who drink
a couple of glasses of wine a day live longer than tee-totallers. But
binge drinking and liver disease are on the increase in Britain and people
who are HIV positive have to be especially careful with excessive alcohol
consumption. Avoiding dehydration and pacing oneself are the sensible
options but, of course, it's easier said than done.
Some people with HIV swear by the medicinal properties of marijuana in
stimulating appetite and as a relaxant. There are those who find that
dope makes them more manic and stressed, and others feel they need a line
or ten of speed or charlie now and then or an E on a Saturday night out.
But everyone should be careful particularly with the dehydrating effect
of drugs as well as the way they often lead to mood swings and depression.
Apart from that, how many of us have simply forgotten any safer sex advice
and let our inhibitions, and our trousers, tumble down when we are off
our faces.
Stress
Yes, stress is bad for your health but the consequences can be especially
severe for
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those who are HIV positive. According to a recent American study from UCLA, stress 'enables HIV to spread more quickly in infected persons and
