How Is HIV/AIDS Treated?

How Is HIV/AIDS Treated?

Receiving treatment as early as possible, before the start of symptoms, increases a person's chances of staying healthier and living longer with HIV infection. Advances in treatment have greatly improved the quality of life, and prolonged life, for many people living with HIV and AIDS. Since the 1980s, various types of medications have been developed to treat AIDS. All of these drugs work by interfering with the replication cycle of HIV; they block the action of certain enzymes ^* that the virus needs in order to make copies of itself. Taking these medicines slows the spread of HIV in a person's body, delaying the onset of AIDS. The class of drugs called protease (PRO-tee-aze) inhibitors (the enzyme that the drug blocks is known as a protease) has proven to be especially effective. These drugs and others are most often used in combinations of three to five medications in a treatment known as highly active antiretroviral (an-tie-REH-tro-vy-rul) therapy (HAART). Other medicines also are used to treat or prevent the opportunistic infections associated with HIV infection. The amount of HIV in the body, called the viral load, is followed with regular blood tests to see how well treatment is working. CD4+ (T-helper) cell counts are followed as well. Over time, the virus can develop resistance to the drugs used to fight it and treatment may have to be changed, so research and development of new medicines is essential.

Taking all medications exactly as they are prescribed is crucial because it can help keep resistance to the medicines from developing. Maintaining general good health, getting enough rest, eating a nutritious diet, not smoking or taking drugs, and visiting the doctor for regular checkups are also important parts of treatment.

Currently there is no cure for HIV and AIDS, so once someone becomes infected that person is infected for life. Experts believe that people with AIDS eventually will die from it, unless death from another cause occurs sooner.

^* enzymes (EN-zimes) are proteins that help speed up a chemical reaction in a cell or organism.

^* cervical refers to the cervix (SIR-viks), the lower, narrow end of the uterus that opens into the vagina.

^* hepatitis (heh-puh-TIE-tis) is an inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis can be caused by viruses, bacteria, and a number of other noninfectious medical conditions.

^* syphilis (SIH-fih-lis) is a sexually transmitted disease that, if untreated, can lead to serious lifelong problems throughout the body, including blindness and paralysis.

^* tuberculosis (too-ber-kyoo-LO-sis) is a bacterial infection that primarily attacks the lungs but can spread to other parts of the body.