Staying Healthy

The Importance of Staying Healthy

When you’re living with HIV, it’s more important than ever to protect your immune system to maintain overall health. By keeping your body as healthy as possible, it’s much better equipped to fight off viruses and other types of infections. Incorporating healthy habits, both physical and mental, will have a vast improvement on your quality of life.

Live a healthy lifestyle. Connect with others and nurture your friendships. Fuel your body with a healthy, nutritious, and balanced diet, and allow it to recharge each night with enough quality sleep. Ask for help and accept it when it’s offered. Keep your alcohol and smoking in check. Keep active, even a walk in the park does everyone wonders. Be gentle with yourself, and remember to breathe. Try to treat your mind and body well and you’ll be more than ready to live your best life.

Sexual Health

Regular STI testing is the best way to identify if you have contracted an STI, and is particularly important if you are sexually active.

Smoking, Drugs & Alcohol

Smoking, alcohol and drug overuse can contribute to feelings of depression, and have negative impacts to your body, but help is available. 

Oral Health

Poor oral health can affect both physical and emotional well-being, and can also be a contributing factor to a number of secondary health conditions. 

Mental Health

It is not uncommon for people to experience unhappiness, distress, anxiety or depression at some point, but there are a lot of other things you can do to look after your mental health and wellbeing.

Information for Women

Women make up more than 10 percent of PLHIV in Australia. While HIV affects everyone differently, women often face particular challenges.

Social Connection

Spending time with friends and family, and spending time in group and community activities improves mental and general health. QPP even has social groups that you can join and meet new people.

Our trained team is here to help you should you have any questions or need support. You can call for free from a Queensland land-line on 1800 636 241 or call (07) 3013 5555 (national). You can also email us or use the contact form or the chat function in the corner of our website.