Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. My mother just told us she has tested positive for HIV. Her late husband died of Aids related TB about 5 years ago and we beleive this is how she got infected. We're all still in shock and don't know where to start. She lives in Africa and we're here in the US. My sister is going to Kenya on Sunday. We need to know what questions she should ask her doctor and what is the most important thing to know right away.
Ross Slotten, M.D.
Klein and Slotten Medical Associates
Private Practice in Family Medicine
With a special interest in HIV disease
You state that your mother just found that she is HIV positive and that she was probably infected by her late husband, who died of AIDS and TB five years ago. If she were living in the U.S., she would have a number of other tests to see whether or not she needs to be treated. At minimum, she needs to be screened for tuberculosis, if she was not screened at the time of her husband's death.
I presume that she will be seeing someone who specializes in HIV. If so, that physician will know what tests to perform. If not, she needs to see a specialist. That person will have a test to assess the state of her immune system--a CD4 count; she will also have a test to measure the level of virus in her blood--a "viral load." In addition, she should have standard blood tests, like liver function, blood sugar, and red and white blood cell counts to rule out liver disease, diabetes, and anemia; she should also be screened for exposure to hepatitis B and C, both of which can cause serious liver problems. Once these basic tests are performed, her physician can decide if she should be treated.
HIV medications are available in Kenya, but not everyone can afford them. You do not state what kind of health care your mother has access to, which is, of course, important.
Best of luck.
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