Treatment Options

Thanks to advances in medicine, HIV is now a manageable chronic condition. This page provides information about treatment options for HIV, focusing on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)

ART is the cornerstone of HIV treatment. It involves taking a combination of medications that work together to suppress the virus and prevent it from damaging your immune system.

How ART Works:

ART medications target different stages of the HIV life cycle, preventing the virus from replicating and spreading. This helps to:

Reduce the amount of HIV in your body (viral load)
Increase your CD4+ T cell count (a measure of immune system health)
Prevent HIV from progressing to AIDS
Reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to others

Benefits of ART:

Improved quality of life
Increased life expectancy
Reduced risk of opportunistic infections
Prevention of HIV transmission

Different Drug Classes

ART medications are grouped into different classes based on how they work:

Nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs): These drugs interfere with HIV's ability to convert its RNA into DNA.
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs): These drugs also block reverse transcription, but in a different way than NRTIs.
Protease inhibitors (PIs): These drugs prevent HIV from assembling new viral particles.
Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs): These drugs block HIV from integrating its DNA into your cells' DNA.
Entry inhibitors: These drugs prevent HIV from entering your cells.
Fusion inhibitors: These drugs prevent HIV from fusing with your cells' membrane.

Treatment Regimens

Your doctor will work with you to determine the best ART regimen for your individual needs. Most people start with a combination of three medications from at least two different drug classes.

Factors that influence treatment choice:

Your overall health
Your CD4+ T cell count
Your viral load
Potential side effects
Drug resistance testing

Drug Resistance

Over time, HIV can develop resistance to ART medications. This means the drugs become less effective at suppressing the virus.

Preventing drug resistance:

Take your medications exactly as prescribed.
Don't skip doses or stop taking your medication without talking to your doctor.
Get regular viral load tests to monitor your treatment.

If you develop drug resistance, your doctor may need to adjust your treatment regimen.

Side Effects of ART

ART medications can cause side effects, but most are manageable. Common side effects include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Headache
Rash

More serious side effects are rare but can include:

Kidney problems
Liver problems
Heart problems
Bone loss

Talk to your doctor if you experience any side effects from your medication.

Adherence to ART

Adherence to ART is crucial for successful treatment. This means taking your medication exactly as prescribed, every day.

Tips for improving adherence:

Use a pill organizer.
Set reminders on your phone or calendar.
Talk to your doctor if you have trouble taking your medication.

Remember: With effective treatment and adherence to ART, people with HIV can live long and healthy lives.

This information is for educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.

Understanding Test Results

Learn how to interpret HIV test results, including what different results mean and what steps to take next.

Managing Side Effects

Learn about potential side effects of HIV medications and get tips on how to manage them effectively.