When you have HIV or AIDS, it’s essential to work closely with your doctor to manage the disease and prevent complications from developing. Good communication, a clear treatment plan, and regular visits to your doctor can go a long way toward helping you take good care of yourself and protect your health. Here’s a step-by-step guide to talking to your doctor effectively about HIV and AIDS:

Step One: Know your numbers.

First, find out how severe your condition is and what you can expect over time. Then, find out how to set your targets for managing HIV/AIDS: What are your current levels on the viral load test (which tells you how strong the HIV virus is in your body) and the CD4 cell test (which indicates how strong your immune system is)? What ranges are you aiming for with the medications and lifestyle modifications your physician has prescribed? How will you know if the drugs are working?

Step Two: Manage your medicines.

There are four main classes of antiretroviral drugs that are generally used in combination to attack HIV and help your body fight the infection in different ways. Find out which ones your doctor is prescribing, when and how often you should take them, whether you should take them with or without food, and what side effects are common. Should you avoid drinking alcohol? With some drugs used to treat HIV, drinking alcohol could increase the chances of damaging your liver or pancreas. What foods or beverages (such as grapefruit juice) should you avoid because they can cause dangerous interactions with your medicines? If you have trouble taking any of your medications, be sure to tell your doctor.

Step Three: Look at your lifestyle.

Find out how you should modify your diet, how often and vigorously you should exercise, and what special measures you should take for getting more sleep or rest. What kinds of food-safety precautions should you take (such as avoiding raw or undercooked eggs or fish or meat)? Should you take extra vitamins and minerals to help repair cells that have been damaged? Should you drink and cook with bottled water to avoid contaminants that may be in your tap water? Should you learn relaxation exercises to help relieve stress and pain? Are there complementary therapies (such as massage or meditation) that could help you? Are there special precautions you should take when traveling?

Step Four: Plan ahead.

Ask your doctor how often you should be seen for routine visits and what tests you should expect at these appointments. Also, find out if there are any vaccinations (for flu, pneumonia, or hepatitis, for example) that you should have. And ask your doctor if there are other medical conditions—such as depression or hepatitis—that could complicate your treatment.

Step Five: Fill in the blanks.

To make sure you’re not overlooking anything important, it helps to ask your doctor a few catch-all questions, such as: What else do I need to know? What stumbling blocks should I watch out for in my care? What kinds of symptoms or changes should always be reported to you? When should I seek emergency care for an opportunistic infection or other health crisis?