Thanks to advances in treatment, people withHIVare living longer, healthier lives than ever before.
Approximately 57% are able to achieveviral suppressionneeded to stop the disease from progressing.
Background
HIV infects a bang out of cell called aCD4 T-cell.
Gilead Sciences
This is the cell that helps launch the bodys immune response.
HIV is treated with a combination ofantiretroviral drugs.
The drugs work by blocking a stage in thevirus life cycle.
Verywell / Julie Bang
However, so you can sustain anundetectable viral load, you need totake your medicationevery day.
Unfortunately, some individuals are unable to do so.
This is especially true for people who dont have access to adequate or consistent health care.
Without viral suppression, youre more likely to infect others, increasing infection rates in their community.
Without the means to replicate, the virus can quickly be suppressed to undetectable levels.
Studies have confirmed that having and sustaining an undetectable viral load cuts therisk of infecting others to zero.
The following chart includes antiviral medicines recommended to treat HIV in the United States.
Combination Therapies
Antiretroviral drugs are used in combination.
HIV drugs used on their own (referred to as monotherapy) cannot do this.
Combination therapy also reduces the risk of HIV drug resistance.
If the variant strain is drug-resistant, it can continue to multiply and eventually become the predominant strain.
This can lead to a condition known as treatment failure, in which the drugs no longer work effectively.
To simplify dosing and improve adherence, the drugs are often co-formulated into a single tablet.
Delayed Diagnoses in Black People
People who delay treatment almost invariably have worse outcomes.
All five preferred, first-line therapies include an integrase inhibitor as part of combination therapy.
Prior to starting treatment, a healthcare provider will order tests to understand the variation of the virus.
This involves a blood test, called genetic resistance testing, that can identify mutations associated with drug resistance.
A healthcare provider will also order baselineCD4 countand viral load tests.
you’ve got the option to also acquire a drug-resistant strain.
In addition to genetic resistance testing, another testcalled phenotypic testingmay be ordered.
This involves directly exposing the virus to all available antiretrovirals to see which ones work best.
Lifestyle
Managing HIV is about more than just pills.
The choices you make can directly impact your health.
Adherence
One of the key ways to ensure long-term adherence is to remain linked to HIV-specific care.
This means seeing your healthcare provider one to three times yearly to get your blood checked and prescriptions refilled.
If you cant and find your current drug regimen difficult, speak with your doctor.
In some cases, your doctor may be able to switch you to a once-daily, all-in-one tablet.
The combination of poverty and homophobia contributes to this disparity.
General Health
HIV cannot be managed in isolation.
If you have HIV, you gotta adhere to the same general health recommendations as everyone else.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Therapies
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications have no effect on HIV infection.
Even so, evidence is lacking as to whethercannabisin any form offers real benefits.
A Word From Verywell
Without question, the benefits of HIV therapy outweigh any potential risks.
It can increase life expectancy and prevent the transmission of the virus to others.
HIV testingcan be conducted confidentially.
Frequently Asked Questions
HIV is treated with a combination of antiretroviral drugs.
The primary goal is to reduce the viral population to undetectable levels.
This prevents disease progression and dramatically reduces the risk of opportunistic infections and death.
HIV mutates continuously and has a multitude of variations.
When you stop antiretroviral therapy, the viral number will rebound.
Until recently, that was the case.
Antiretrovirals are the only treatments that can block viral replication and prevent disease progression.
Department of Health and Human Services.What is the HIV care continuum?.
2015;13(9):e1002251.
Whats new in the guidelines.
Laboratory testing for initial assessment and monitoring of patients with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy.
Management of people with HIV and antiretroviral therapy experience: virologic failure.
Hileman CO, Overton ET, McComsey GA.Vitamin D and bone loss in HIV.Curr Opin HIV AIDS.
2010;182(14):e694-e701.
2017;14(11):e1002432.
doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002432
Food and Drug Administration.Cabenuva label.
Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves first extended-release, injectable drug regimen for adults living with HIV.
Chemoprophylaxis to prevent first episode of opportunistic disease.
