Taking the steps and when.

Like anything new one musters, what it may be like to walk across the great continent with just sandals and a robe. It's hard to say, I'll take comfort in knowing someone else has taken that journey and can tell me all about it. Today consents that Anti-retroviral medications are to begin when a persons CD4 count is below 500. A T-cell count, is also known as a CD4 count, reveals the number of T cells in your body. A T cell is a special kind of white blood cell, and the more you have, the stronger your immune system is. When a person is infected with HIV, the virus entered into some of the T cells. When these HIV-infected T cells make more copies of themselves, they end up making more copies of HIV as well. HIV can also destroy T cells, as well as other surrounding cells. After living with HIV for a while and if a person is not on medication the number of T cells he/she has will usually go down. This is a sign that the immune system is being weakened. The lower your T-cell count, the more the of risk getting sick. A normal T-cell count for someone without HIV is usually between 500 and 1,600.
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Top 10 Medication Adherence Tips,
By Mark Cichocki, R.N.
1..Fit the medicine into your life instead of structuring your life around your medicine.
2,Use a pillbox to prepare your meds a week or even two weeks in advance. Note, some medications need refrigerated, if that is the case, keep the pill boxes in the refrigerator or a cool place.
3. Keep a checklist.Make a daily checklist of the pills you have to take and the times you should take them. Check off each dose after it is taken. This will help to avoid missed or double doses.
4. Use a beeping alarm.Use a beeping watch or timer to remind you when a dose is due. many HIV practices can supply such alarms or can help you find one that is affordable and sometimes free of charge.
5. Put dosage times into your daily planner.Just like an appointment, add your medication doses into your daily planner to remind you when a dose is due.
6. Plan ahead for traveling, refills and weekends.Pack your meds and keep them with you when traveling, keep in mind that your schedule may change while on vacation and you will need to adjust how you take your meds. Also, plan ahead for your refills. Don't wait until you are out to call your pharmacy to order a refill. Give the pharmacy a minimum of three days to get your refills ready.
7.Arrange for privacy.
If you want to hide the fact you take meds, arrange for some private time at work when you can take your meds. Scout out a place such as a bathroom where you can take your meds in private.
8. Keep a diary.
Write down successes as well as failures to remind you what has worked and what has not. Record missed doses to identify times or doses that need to be worked on to improve adherence.
9.Establish and use a support network
Find friends or family that can assist you in taking your meds. Local "buddy lines" can help with reminders and serve as a partner in therapy. Realizing others are struggling as you are can help with feelings of isolation. Develop a working relationship with your health care team.
10.Leave yourself notes and reminders.
Leave notes around the house where you will be sure to see them; the refrigerator, next to the TV, and the bathroom mirror.
Top 10 Medication Adherence Tips,