Non-AIDS defining illnesses

Cardiovascular disease

Having HIV can put you at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular problems (problems with your heart and circulation). A major factor is the side effects associated with long term use of certain anti-HIV drugs. These can increase the amount of blood fat (called lipids) and cholesterol, both of which may lead to heart and circulatory diseases. Your doctor at your HIV clinic will be monitoring levels of blood fat and cholesterol and so if problems do start to occur they should be spotted early on so that steps can be taken to address the problem.

As with everyone though, you can really help to avoid cardiovascular problems by looking after your general health. You will greatly lower the risk of problems like these if you are not overweight, stop smoking, exercise and eat the right foods.

You can read more about taking care of your health in the section on looking after yourself.

Cancers

It has been shown that there is an increased risk of anal, lung, liver, testicular and skin cancers in men living with HIV, as well as increases in lymphomas.

The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which responsible for anal warts, is the virus that can lead to anal cancer. However, there are many different strains of HPV so just because you may have had anal warts, this doesn’t mean that you will develop anal cancer.

Smoking is the obvious cause of many of the cases of lung cancer, and it has been shown that smoking is considerably more risky if you have HIV than if you were HIV negative.

Increases in cases of liver cancer may be due to increased numbers of people with HIV also being infected with hepatitis B or C. You can be tested for these two different viruses and it is possible to completely cure some people of hepatitis B or C with current treatments. It’s always a good idea to be checked for hepatitis so that something can be done about it. There’s also a vaccine against hepatitis B so, if you don’t have hep B and you haven’t been vaccinated, you should ask for the vaccine at your HIV or GUM clinic.

The reasons behind a possible rise in cases of testicular cancer are unknown. This type of cancer is easily treated if caught early so check yourself regularly, and if you notice any unusual lumps go to see your GP as soon as possible. The same applies if you notice any dark lumps, patches or lesions appearing on your skin as this could be a sign of skin cancer.