What is adherence? Adherence is a word used to describe taking your drugs exactly as prescribed. This includes: Taking them at the right time. Following advice to take with or without food. Avoiding any drug interactions. Adherence is the most…
The current drugs are a treatment, but they are not a cure. Even people who have an undetectable viral load for years, still have small amounts of HIV in their body. This HIV is mainly in CD4 cells that are…
Some HIV drugs interact with chems, recreational and street drugs, methadone, vitamins and supplements and over-the-counter medicines. Interactions can be complex. They can increase or decrease levels of the HIV drugs or the other drugs. It is therefore important that…
Nearly everyone can get an undetectable viral load on ART. If you do not get a full response it can be for one (or more) of the reasons below. Adherence. This means checking you are taking the right dose at…
The range of responses to HIV has always been very wide. Some people become ill within 1 to 2 years of infection. Others can have a strong immune response that lasts for many years. If your CD4 count stayed above…
The latest WHO guidelines now recommend that everyone should start ART regardless of CD4 count when they are diagnosed. This is to reduce the longer term issues the virus may cause and to reduce the forward transmission of HIV. This…
If you have problems with ART, do not stop taking your drugs without first speaking with your doctor. Contact your HIV clinic to book an early appointment. Unless there is a medical need to stop, taking a break in ART…
Yes, this is easy. Although most people do well on their first choice, if it is difficult you can change one or all or the drugs. This will not harm your long-term health. It will not reduce your treatment options.…
As long as you do not develop drug resistance, the same drugs can work for years or even decades. This involves getting viral load to undetectable (less than 50 copies/mL). This is also why it is important to take your…
HIV drugs stop the virus from making copies of itself. This reduces viral load to very low levels. Your CD4 count then has a chance to grow stronger again. When not on treatment, your immune system works in overdrive. HIV…
