• Sympathetic attitude, family and public support

• Patient should be advised to take adequate rest and diet rich in proteins and vitamins

• Patient should be advised not to donate blood or organs

• Patient should be advised to use condom with any sexual partner

• As far as possible patient should avoid eating outside food

• Patient should be encouraged to give up all habits i.e. smoking, alcohol or chewing pan or tobacco

• Patient should drink boiled water

• Patient should be advised to do regular exercise or yoga

If patients follow above general care tips they can live 1-2 year longer.

SYMPTOMATIC TREATMENT:

• Early treatment of common problems like fever, cough, diarrhea etc. from family doctor

• Early detection and treatment of opportunistic infections like TB etc.

SPECIFIC ANTI-HIV TREATMENT:

Many new anti-HIV drugs which prevent the spread of the virus and can postphone various complications are now available at selected places in market and few of them are also manufactured in India e.g. AZT, 3TC, D4T, Saquinavir, ddc, nevirapine etc. But these medicines are very costly and in India 90% of HIV patients cannot even think of them. One year expenses of good comminations of these drugs and blood testing comes to around 1.5 to 2.5 lacs. These medicines can prolong the life of the patient but not cure him.

CONCLUSION

Remember AIDS does not discriminate caste, creed, race, religion, educational or social status. Prevention of AIDS is our joint responsibility. Education and awareness is the only weapon in our hand. Let us accept the challenge to fight against AIDS. We must support and care for the people with HIV / AIDS with compassion and understanding.