TREATMENT OF HIV

Sadly, there is NO cure for HIV, however on the brighter side there are a variety of drugs used to control the virus. 

The Classes of Anti-HIV Drugs include:

1) Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs):

Drugs in this prevent HIV from making copies of itself 


E.g. efavirenz and nevirapine

2) Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs):

They are faulty versions of building blocks that HIV needs to make copies of itself. 

E.g. Abacavir and tenofovir 

3) Protease inhibitors (PIs):

It disables protease, another protein that HIV needs to make copies of itself and infect healthy cells

E.g. atazanavir and ritonavir

4) Entry or fusion inhibitors:

These drugs block HIV's entry into CD4 cells

E.g. enfuvirtide and maraviroc

5)Integrase inhibitors:

It works by disabling integrase, a protein that HIV uses to insert its genetic material into CD4 cells.

E.g  Raltegravir

Each class of anti-HIV drugs blocks the virus in different ways. Because each HIV drug can't work by itself, it is best to combine at least three drugs from two classes to avoid creating strains of HIV that are immune to single drugs. When this combination of drugs is taken it is called '' highly active antiretroviral therapy'', or HAART.  

When taken properly, HAART helps people with HIV live way longer and have lesser infections. It works by lowering the amount of HIV in the blood thus improving your body's ability to fight infections.

Some side effects of these drugs include:

• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Heart disease
• Weakened bones
• Shortness of breath
• Skin rash
• Bone death, particularly in the hip join

Your doctor will monitor your viral load and CD4 counts to determine your response to treatment. Viral load should be tested at the start of treatment and then every three to four months during therapy. CD4 counts should be checked every three to six months.

HIV treatment should reduce your viral load to the point that it's undetectable. That doesn't mean your HIV is gone!!!! It just means that the test isn't sensitive enough to detect it. You can still transmit HIV to others when your viral load is undetectable.

Once you start treatment, you need to continue taking HIV medicines for the rest of your life!!!!!! You will have to think about:

1) Readiness to stick with treatment
You will need to take all of the drugs exactly how its prescribed. Missing doses can result in the virus becoming resistant to the medications. Once this happens, the drugs will not work as well or at all. Whether you must take multiple pills or just one pill a day, you must be ready to take all your medicines as directed and stick with it.                                                                                                                                                          

2) Managing side effects
You will likely have some side effects from the drugs. Some of these are harder to live with than others. Be sure to tell your doctor about any side effects you are having. Only stop taking your HIV medicine because of side effects if your doctor tells you to stop.

Treatment for your HIV disease is most likely to be successful when you know what to expect and are committed to following the plan that you and your healthcare provider work out together.

REFERENCES:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiv-aids/basics/treatment/con-20013732
http://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/just-diagnosed-with-hiv-aids/treatment-options/side-effects/index.html
http://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/just-diagnosed-with-hiv-aids/treatment-options/overview-of-hiv-treatments/