PAP Exams (women)
A PAP exam is a test done by a physician to screen a woman for the presence of abnormal cells or HPV in the vagina and cervix. Done yearly, this test has proven to be very valuable in identifying abnormal cell growth before it has a chance to become cancerous and more invasive. Done during a normal pelvic exam, a small sample of cells is collected from the vaginal walls and the cervix. These cells are then prepared and examined under a microscope by people trained in the reading of PAP exams.Anal PAP Exams (men)
Recent data shows that the incidence of anal cancers in men is on the rise. Some practitioners are now performing routine anal PAP exams to screen for these cancers and for HPV infection. The anal PAP screening is very simple, painless, and quick. The physician uses a Dacron swab and collects cell samples from the anal canal by swabbing all surfaces of the anus and rectum. These cell samples are sent to a lab where specially trained technicians prep the samples and look at them under a microscope. In a few days, the physician will have the results and will discuss them with you.Understanding Anal PAP Exams for Men
Important Note
Debate remains whether anal PAPs should be a routine part of HIV care. Reading the test is somewhat different than reading cervical PAPs and what to do with the results is not entirely clear. To see what your doctor thinks about anal PAPs speak with him or her at your next visit.
Dental and Eye Exams
Regular dental and eye exams are very important in maintaining one's health. Dental decay and gum disease can spread and become serious infections if left untreated. Eye exams are very important in screening for a very serious infectious organism, CMV. This viral infection can be limited to the eye and cause permanent blindness as well as spread to other parts of the body, causing serious and potentially fatal infections.Preventative Medications
A third way your doctor keeps you healthy is with the use of preventative or prophylactic medications. These medications are given at different stages of your HIV disease as a means of reducing their risk of infection before they occur. Here are the most common.- Bactrim, Dapsone or Pentamidine
One of these three medicines is given to prevent a very serious type of pneumonia known as Pneumocystis pneumonia. One of these drugs is started once a person's CD4 count drops below 200. While Bactrim is the drug of choice for this purpose, allergic reaction to the drug is high among HIV infected people. In these cases either Dapsone is taken each day or Pentamidine is given by inhalation once per month. Some practitioners are now re-evaluating the need for these drugs once the patient's CD4 count again rises above 200. In some cases the drugs can be stopped or held for periods of time. - Zithromax and Biaxin
Zithromax (azithromycin) and Biaxin (clarithromycin) are used to prevent as well as treat Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). MAC is a serious infection that is caused by a bacteria. This infection almost never occurs in people with CD4 counts greater than 100 and most often occurs when the CD4 counts dips below 50. For this reason, Zithromax and Biaxin are used in people whose CD4 counts are below 75 or have had a MAC infection in the past.
Staying healthy is hard work. But with good medical care and a healthy lifestyle, people infected with HIV can lead long, healthy, productive lives.
