July 2005
Staying Healthy on Holiday
Monitoring blood work is essential. Most docs advise checking CD4s and
viral load every three months—or monthly for nadirs below 350—until you
stabilize. (If your benefits don’t cover extra tests, argue that early
detection is cost-effective.)
Tell Doc about any infections or
illnesses and avoid vaccines, which can kick HIV into overdrive, ending
your STI. Cohen advises spending your first two STI months “with access
to care—not heading off on a cruise ship.” And don’t forget what Kaiser
calls “common sense: rest, healthy diet, not abusing recreational
drugs.”
