Cirrhosis: Overview for Patients 

May 2019 | www.hepatitis.va.gov

 

Living Well with HIV

January 2020 | www.hiv.va.gov

HIV is now considered a treatable chronic disease. That means 

HIV can be managed with medications, similar to diabetes or 

high blood pressure. Taking HIV medications regularly is an 

important way to help you live a long, healthy, and productive 

life. In addition to medications, there is more you can do to live 

well with HIV!

Nutrition and Exercise

It is very important that people with HIV maintain a healthy 

and active lifestyle. This may include eating a healthy diet, 

exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, limiting alcohol use, 

and getting plenty of sleep. If you need help with nutrition and 

exercise, the VA MOVE! Program can provide assistance. Visit 

https://www.move.va.gov/ to learn more.

Screenings and Vaccinations

Your provider will recommend certain screenings and 

vaccinations for other infections. If you haven’t already 

had them, your provider will recommend the following 

vaccinations: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Td or 

TdaP), hepatitis B, pneumococcal (PPSV23 and PCV13), 

meningococcal, and inactivated influenza vaccination. Your 

provider may recommend other vaccinations like hepatitis A 

and HPV. Your provider will also recommend cancer screenings 

based on your risk factors. It is important to get screenings 

regularly because there may be increased risk for people with 

HIV. Your provider may also talk to you about screening for 

hepatitis C. If you have hepatitis C, treatment is available that 

can cure the disease for most people. 

Cardiovascular Disease

Adults with HIV are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. 

Talk with your provider about what you can do to prevent 

cardiovascular disease. Maintaining a healthy weight and diet 

is important. Smoking can also impact cardiovascular disease 

(see below).

Smoking and Vaping

Smoking cigarettes is the leading cause of preventable death 

in the United States. And smoking is even worse for people 

with HIV than it is for people without HIV. Among persons 

living with HIV, smoking is closely linked with heart disease and 

serious lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary 

disease (COPD), emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. 

It also is associated with several of types of cancer. Quitting 

smoking is a powerful way you can improve your health. VA has 

resources available to help you quit. Talk to your provider for 

information, or Text VET to 47848 or visit smokefree.gov/VET.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 

recommend that people consider refraining from using 

e-cigarette, or vaping, products that contain nicotine. In 

particular, CDC advises you:

• Should not use e-cigarette, or vaping, products that 

contain THC.

• Should not buy any type of e-cigarette, or vaping, 

products, particularly those containing THC, off the 

street.

• Should not modify or add any substances to e-cigarette, 

or vaping, products that are not intended by the 

manufacturer, including products purchased through 

retail establishments.

For more information about risks associated with vaping, visit 

the CDC website www.CDC.gov.
Mental Health

Your mental health is a critical component to your overall 

wellness. If you are experiencing mental health challenges, 

you are not alone. It is important that you talk with your 

VA health care provider or someone you trust so that you 

can receive the care and support you need. If you are in 

immediate crisis, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-

273-8255 and press 1, text to 838255, or chat online

at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.

Protect against STIs

Practicing safer sex (like using condoms) will help you 

avoid sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like herpes 

and hepatitis. HIV makes it harder for your body to fight 

off diseases. What might be a small health problem for 

someone without HIV could be big health problem for 

you. Your provider will screen you for STIs if you have 

unprotected sex, have new or multiple partners, or think 

you have been exposed to an STI. If your provider doesn’t 

ask, bring it up at your next appointment. There are 

vaccinations available for some people at risk, like for human 

papillomavirus (HPV). You can also ask your VA provider to 

prescribe you condoms to protect against STIs (there is no 

cost for Veterans prescribed condoms at VA).

Protecting Others

Part of living well with HIV is also about protecting others. 

One of the most effective ways to prevent HIV from passing 

to an HIV-negative sex partner is to take your own HIV 

medications (antiretroviral therapy, or ART) every day--these 

not only protect your health but can prevent transmission of 

HIV.

Another way to protect others is to talk to your partners 

about pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP.  HIV-negative 

individuals who are at high risk may, under the supervision 

of their health care provider, take a medication every day 

to prevent HIV infection. PrEP is very effective in preventing 

HIV. The medications used for PrEP available for people who 

use VA for their health care. If you are not eligible for VA 

health care or have a non-Veteran partner who might need 

assistance getting PrEP, please see the national Ready, Set, 

PrEP donation program: www.getyourprep.com/

Assistance with PrEP copays is also available. Learn more: 

www.nastad.org/prepcost-resources/prep-assistanceprograms

Whole Health

Whole Health is VA’s cutting-edge approach to care that 

supports your health and well-being. Whole Health centers 

around what matters to you, not what is the matter with 

you. You can find resources on Whole Health on the VA 

website: www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTH /index.asp.

For more information on living well with 

HIV, visit www.hiv.va.gov