What is the Treatment for HIV?

HIV Treatment involves antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART involves taking a combination of HIV medicines (called an HIV treatment regimen) every day and constant monitoring and follow-up of your general health.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART)

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is an effective and recommended treatment for HIV by controlling the replication of the HIV in your body. 

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) involves taking a range of cocktails of medicines suitable to you. Speak to your doctor able your medical history and your lifestyle. Your doctor will recommend appropriate medications.

ART aims to prevent the virus from replicating and bringing down the virus load and preventing the virus from damaging your immune system, known as CD4 cells.

The objective for ART is to ensure the viral load is suppressed and stays undetectable (<50 copies/ml) and prevent the virus from attacking your immune system. ART also reduces the risk of HIV transmission.

It is crucial to stick with your doctor’s instructions regarding the timing and dosage of your HIV drugs to be effective.

Skipping your does may cause the virus to lead to HIV drug resistance.

ART cannot cure HIV, but HIV medicines help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives

Constant Monitoring and follow-up

Your doctor may require you to do follow-ups so that your doctor can monitor how you are responding to your medications and monitor your general health.

A viral load test is ordered to check on your viral load. In addition, your doctor may monitor if you have any other life-threatening opportunistic infections.

People who are living with HIV live longer, healthier lives.

When Should I Start My HIV Treatment?

HIV treatment should start as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed. 

Delay in treatment will allow HIV to continue to multiply and damage your immune system. Also, it will put you at a higher risk of developing AIDS. 

If your CD4 count is below 200, your doctor will recommend starting HIV treatment immediately. With a CD4 count below 200, your body is vulnerable to opportunistic infections.