HIV in Coimbatore: Diagnosis, ART Treatment, and Living a Healthy Life
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a medical condition that weakens the immune system to fight infection. However, today with HIV, we are not face a death sentence. With proper diagnosis, treatment, and lifestyle, people living with HIV can live longer, prosperous and fulfilling lives. HIV Treatment in Coimbatore, Dr.A Murali, a well-experienced Infectious Disease Specialist with over 20 years of experience in medicine, provides expert treatment for HIV at Sun Speciality Clinic. Dr. A Murali provides accurate diagnosis, safer Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) for people living with HIV, continuous monitoring, and lifestyle counselling to ensure patients remain healthy.
Understanding HIV:
- What is HIV? HIV targets the immune system, particularly the CD4 (T-cells) which keeps the body safe from infections
- Difference between HIV and AIDS: HIV is the virus, and AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the stage of HIV in the late phase when not treated. When HIV is treated early, it can be kept under control, and AIDS can be avoided.
- Breaking the myths: HIV is not passed from person to person through casual contact, like sharing food, drinking water, or even shaking someone’s hand. It is spread through unprotected sexual contact with an infected person, sharing needles with an infected person, transfusion of HIV infected blood, or from mother to child during birth or breastfeeding.
Importance of Early Diagnosis:
The earlier you catch the disease, the better. HIV can stay in your system without symptoms for years and during that time, the virus is silently destroying your immune system. You cannot tell without testing.
At Sun Speciality Clinic in Coimbatore, Dr. A Murali offers:
- We provide discreet, confidential HIV testing (antibody, antigen, and PCR tests)
- Fully accurate diagnosis by modern laboratory methods.
- Immediate counseling and treatment suggestions.
By identifying HIV infection earlier, patients can begin receiving treatment quickly and learn how to protect their health, and stop the transmission to others.
ART Treatment for HIV:
Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is the main treatment for HIV. It can involve taking several medicines once a day to:
- Stop the virus from replicating
- Protect and empower the immune system
- Stop HIV from continuing to the state of AIDS
Why choose Dr. A Murali for HIV Treatment in Coimbatore?
- He provides people with ART and brings the combination of the medicines together to suit the medical condition of each patient.
- Regular follow-ups and monitoring are done to make sure that the medicines are effective.
- Side effects are managed, and if there are any, they are managed, and kept as manageable as possible so as not to cause discomfort to the patient.
People living with HIV can have ‘almost’ the same life expectancy as people who do not have HIV if taking ART properly.
Living a Healthy Life with HIV:
HIV is not an individual. Patients can continue their work, education, spouse, and children with enough care and advocacy.
Tips for living healthy with HIV:
- Take Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) daily, and take your doses as prescribed.
- Eat a well-balanced and healthy diet.
- Exercise regularly.
- Do not use tobacco, alcohol, or use drugs in a harmful way.
- Have medical check-ups and get blood tests when needed.
- Use counselling services for stress management, mental health, and well-being.
- Learn about safe practices to stop the transmission of HIV to others.
Dr A Murali also offers counselling for families on coping with stigma, safely talking/disclosing their diagnosis, and building personal resilience.
Conclusion:
HIV is now absolutely manageable. If diagnosed promptly and with therapy that is effective for HIV treatment in Coimbatore and lifestyle modifications, patients can lead long and enjoyable lives. If you or a loved one requires HIV, a consultation with Dr. A Murali at Sun Speciality Clinic is the way to start. It is important to get tested early to allow treatment to begin in a timely manner, and to optimise treatment to save lives before complications arise.