Antiretroviral Drug Archives

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) Facts

Posted on: May 23, 2023

HIV Facts and Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy of HIV Positive Person

If HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) develops into AIDS, it may cause death. This condition weakens the immune system, which makes it difficult for the body’s ability to fight against other illnesses. However, many individuals are able to live longer and in better health with the help of antiretroviral therapy.

Over the past ten years, the outlook for those with HIV has considerably improved. Researchers discovered that since 1996, the life expectancy of HIV-positive individuals undergoing treatment has considerably increased.

Since then, additional antiretroviral medications have been created and added to the currently used antiretroviral therapy. As a result, there is now a highly successful HIV treatment plan.

How Has The Course of Treatment Developed for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)?

Antiretroviral drugs can aid in slowing the effects of HIV infection and preventing it from progressing to stage 3 HIV, or AIDS.

A medical professional will advise taking antiretroviral medication. A minimum of 3 or more antiretroviral drugs must be taken every day as part of this treatment. The combination contributes to reducing the body’s viral load, which measures the presence of HIV. There are pills that combine numerous drugs.

The many antiretroviral drug classes include:

Inhibitors of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase
Inhibitors of nucleoside reverse transcriptase
Anti-protease agents
Entrance blockers
Inhibitors of integrase

Viral-load suppression lowers the risk of HIV stage 3 infection and enables persons with HIV to lead healthy lives.

What Are The Long-Term Effects of HIV on a Person?

Even while the outlook for people with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) has significantly improved, they may still deal with certain adverse effects.

People who are HIV-positive over time may start to experience particular adverse effects of therapy or HIV itself.

These may consist of:

Speeded-up aging
Cognitive dysfunction
Problems caused by inflammation
Alterations to lipid levels
Cancer

The way the body breaks down fats and sugars could also change. This may result in extra fat being stored in particular bodily regions, which may alter the form of the body. However, older HIV drugs are more frequently associated with these physical problems. Most of these effects don’t affect appearance at all with more recent treatments.

HIV infection can progress to the 3^rd stage of HIV, or AIDS, if it is poorly managed or not treated at all. When an individual’s immune system is unable to protect their body from infections, they can develop stage 3 HIV. If an HIV-positive person’s immune system has less than 200 CD4 cells per milliliter of blood, a healthcare professional will probably diagnose stage 3 HIV infection.

Every stage 3 HIV patient has a variable life expectancy. The majority of patients can live quite healthy lives with consistent antiretroviral medication, however, some may pass away within several months of this diagnosis.

Are There any Long-Term Issues?

HIV can eventually cause the death of immune system cells. The body may find it challenging to fight major infections as a result. These opportunistic infections could be fatal because they can weaken an already compromised immune system.

A person with HIV will be identified as having stage 3 HIV, or AIDS, if they have an opportunistic infection.

Among the opportunistic infections are:

Tuberculosis
Persistent pneumonia
Salmonella
Spinal cord and brain disorders
Pulmonary infections of several sorts
Intestinal infection that persists
Herpes simplex infection
Fungi infections
Infection with the cytomegalovirus

A significant cause of death for those with stage 3 HIV continues to be opportunistic infections, particularly tuberculosis. Adhering to therapy and obtaining regular checks are the best ways to stop an opportunistic infection.

Improving The Long-term Prospects for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

Receiving treatment as soon as possible will help prolong life since HIV can swiftly weaken its defenses and progress to stage 3 HIV. People with HIV should consult their doctor frequently and take care of any new health issues as they appear.

Antiretroviral therapy must be started and maintained as soon as a diagnosis is made in order to maintain good health, stop complications, and stop HIV from progressing to stage 3.

The Conclusion

HIV’s previously terrible future has been significantly improved by new tests, therapies, and technological developments. HIV infection was regarded as a death sentence thirty years ago. HIV-positive individuals can now enjoy long, healthy lives.

Posted on: April 9, 2023

Tips for Taking HIV Medicine Daily

Treatment For HIV

HIV medicine options are advanced with the current treatment significantly. A person with HIV can lead a long and active life with the correct medicine and care.

Antiretroviral therapy is a term used to describe HIV medication (ART). The level of HIV in your body can be reduced with ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) to an extremely low level. HIV cannot be spread to another person if the viral load is low.

Taking drugs exactly as prescribed is essential for medication to be effective. It may be challenging for a number of reasons.

It can be difficult to keep track of when to obtain refills or remember to take your medication on time. You can experience issues with the adverse effects. It’s possible that you are unsure of how or when exactly to take your prescriptions.

Here are some suggestions for overcoming typical obstacles when using HIV drugs.

SUGGESTIONS FOR TAKING YOUR HIV MEDICATION DAILY

You frequently forget to take your prescription.

Set up a reminder on your computer or phone. Also, you can take drugs along with a routine activity like brushing your teeth.

You spend a lot of time away from home.

To ensure you always have access to your drugs when you need them, keep an additional supply in a handbag, backpack, or work bag. If you wish to prevent dose confusion, you might keep track of when you take them.

You fail to renew your medication on time.

Use the auto-refill system available at your pharmacy. This will ensure that you have access to your prescriptions before they expire.

The drugstore is difficult to reach.

Check into options for home delivery so your prescriptions can be delivered right to your door. There are many online pharmacies offer safe and secure drug delivery now days.

You believe you are taking too many drugs.

Discuss other possibilities with your doctor. With the modern alternatives, now it is also possible to take HIV drug once a day or even monthly.

Your regular life is being affected by side effects.

Ask your doctor about further choices. By changing life style or taking other precautions now it is possible to minimize side effects.

The medication cost is too high.

Resources are available to you. For assistance with the expense, get in touch with your state’s HIV/AIDS Hotline. You can contact the Government hospitals. There are many generic medicine manufacturers, offer cost effective ways of HIV treatment. A lack of money shouldn’t prevent you from caring of yourself.

You are uncertain about your prescription.

Taking your meds exactly as directed is very important. Talk to your doctor frequently until you feel comfortable taking them.

You are concerned about HIV stigma.

All of the stigma can be lessened with greater knowledge about HIV. The HIV infection is treatable. ART can render a person’s HIV viral load low, preventing HIV transmission. HIV-positive individuals have active, healthy lives.

You are struggling with your mental health.

Taking care of yourself might be challenging when you’re under stress, worry, or a low mood. Discuss joining a support group or hiring a mental health counselor with your doctor.

Posted on: October 15, 2022

How to Choose the Right HIV Medication

Effective HIV Medication

HIV medication is used in the treatment of HIV. The HIV virus weakens the immune system. HIV infection that is left untreated affects and eventually destroys CD4 cells, a T cell sub type of the immune system.

The risk of developing numerous diseases and malignancies increases over time as HIV destroys more CD4 cells in the body.

Among the body fluids that can spread HIV include blood, semen, vaginal and rectal fluids, and breast milk. The virus cannot be spread via casual touch, water, or the air.

HIV is a lifelong illness because it binds to the DNA of cells. Although many researchers are striving to find a proper and effective HIV medication but no one succeeded.

However, with proper medical care, such as antiretroviral therapy, it is feasible to control HIV and live with the infection for a very long time.

Over 30 HIV medicines are approved till now. The way we view and deal with HIV has altered as a result of antiretroviral medication. Once virtually guaranteed to be lethal, the infection is now potentially chronic but largely controllable.

The number of HIV-positive people in the world now is over a million. Additionally, those with HIV who begin antiretroviral medication early on can anticipate living a life that is nearly normal.

Antiretroviral Drug Types

Antiretroviral medications limit the amount of HIV in your body by preventing it from multiplying. The drugs specifically target the viral reproduction-related enzymes. The objective is to lower the viral count in your blood. The viral load is what is referred to here.

After commencing therapy, it’s feasible to reduce your viral load to undetectable levels in about six months. Although keeping your viral load undetectable doesn’t provide a cure, it does help you live a better, longer life. Additionally, there is no possibility of HIV transmission through sexual contact if the viral load is undetectable.

Usually, two or three medications from at least 2 categories are used in treatment. The term “HIV treatment regimen” refers to this set of drugs. It’s necessary that these medications be taken consistently and exactly as directed.

Inhibitors of Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase

Reverse transcriptase is an enzyme that NRTIs disrupt to stop HIV from replicating. It includes:

Zidovudine
Abacavir
Lamivudine
Emtricitabine
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate

Inhibitors of Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase

To prevent HIV from replicating, NNRTIs attach to reverse transcriptase and subsequently transform it. These medicines consist of:

Etravirine
Doravirine
Rilpivirine
Efavirenz
Nevirapine

Protease Blockers

It obstructs protease and stop HIV from developing into a complete virus. These medications consist of:

Darunavir
Atazanavir
Ritonavir
Saquinavir
Tipranavir
Fosamprenavir

Considerations for Selecting a Treatment

It can be difficult to decide on an HIV treatment plan. However, experts advise those who have HIV to begin taking medicine as quickly as possible.

Today’s increasing availability of HIV Medications allows for specific treatment plans. To help you attain and sustain regulation of the viral load, a powerful, secure, and simple-to-follow schedule is offered.

Considerations For HIV Medication

Additional health issues: If you already have another medical problem, such heart disease, some medications may be safer for you to use. Your routine might need to be changed if you’re expecting or intend to become pregnant.

Resistance evaluation: There are numerous HIV strains. The precise strain can be determined via a blood test, which will help pinpoint which medications won’t work.

Substance interactions: Inform your doctor of every medication you use. Drugs and HIV treatments may interact with one another.

Possible negative effects: Everybody experiences side affects differently. The ones that are most capable of interfering with your way of life can be considered.

Convenience: While some treatment regimens only require one pill each day, others require many pills every day.

Cost: Your doctor can assist in reviewing prescription assistance programmes, health insurance, and drug costs for each medication.

Maintaining your health requires sticking to a treatment schedule. It is essential to discuss any worries you may have with your healthcare professional for this reason. Making the right choice for your initial HIV medication therapy is very important.