ART for HIV Treatment

GET ART FOR HIV!

HIV is a long-term health condition that undermines the body's ability to fight off infections. Today, with the progress in medical science, Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) for HIV is available for HIV positive individuals. This HIV Treatment helps people manage the disease and maintain good health, similar to other chronic illnesses like high blood pressure or diabetes.

Although there is no cure for HIV, ART Therapy effectively manages the infection and greatly reduces the chance of transmitting the virus to others. Antiretroviral Therapy involves taking a combination of drugs, prescribed by your HIV Doctor, which is aimed at combating the virus in various ways. These HIV medicines prevent replication and spread of the virus, help in the recovery of the immune system, and lower the level of virus in the blood. This HIV Treatment slows the advancement of HIV and stops the onset of AIDS.
Standard treatment involves Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) - A combination of HIV medicines that suppress replication of HIV. This mixture of different drugs is designed to enhance the effectiveness of the medication and significantly decrease the risk of the virus becoming resistant.

Advantages of HIV Antiretroviral Therapy:

1. Improved Health:

Antiretroviral therapy can significantly enhance the health of those with HIV by lowering the HIV viral load, allowing the immune system to recover and thereby slowing the advancement of the disease.

2. Decreased Risk Of Transmission:

ART Therapy lowers the amount of virus in the body, reducing the risk of transmitting HIV to others, and enabling HIV positive individuals to have safe and intimate relationships with their partners.

3. Longer Life Expectancy:

With the proper and consistent use of ART Therapy, people with HIV can expect to live long and healthy lives.

If you are HIV positive, you can consult with the well-qualified and experienced HIV Doctors at DrSafehands and start ART Therapy for HIV immediately. The HIV medicines available at DrSafeHands are of extremely high quality and available at cost-effective and affordable rates.

ART HIV Treatment aims at reaching the stage of viral suppression where the virus is undetectable in the bloodstream. It, thereafter, endeavours to maintain this level of undetectable viral load in HIV positive individuals.

With proper medical attention from a qualified HIV Doctor and consistent intake of HIV medicines, people with HIV can effectively manage the condition and enjoy high-quality lives while reducing the likelihood of transmitting the virus to others. If you have any queries or if you need any further information, please feel free to contact us.

FAQ on ART for HIV Treatment

1. What is antiretroviral therapy (ART)?

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the daily use of a combination of HIV medicines (called antiretrovirals) to treat HIV. ART helps people with HIV live normal, longer, healthier and happy lives. ART vastly reduces the risk of HIV transmission once the person on ART achieves U=U status.

2. How does ART work?

ART works by reducing the amount of HIV in the body (viral load) to undetectable levels. This helps the immune system stay strong and prevents the virus from damaging the body. When the viral load in the body becomes undetectable, this is called U=U status.

3. When should I start ART?

It's recommended to start ART as soon as possible after being diagnosed with HIV. Early treatment helps manage the virus better and improves overall health outcomes.

4. What are the side effects of ART?

Common side effects of ART can include nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, and headaches. Most side effects are manageable and often go away in a few days to a few weeks. Your doctor can help manage any persistent side effects.

5. Can I lead a normal life on ART?

Yes, with effective ART and proper medical care, people living with HIV can lead normal, healthy lives. ART helps maintain a strong immune system and prevents HIV from progressing to AIDS.

6. How often do I need to take ART?

ART must be taken daily, exactly as prescribed. Consistency is crucial to keep the viral load undetectable and to prevent the development of drug-resistant HIV.

7. What happens if I miss a dose of ART?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but do not double up on the next dose. Irregular treatment and missing doses frequently, increase the risk of drug resistance and reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.

8. How long will I need to take ART?

ART is a lifelong treatment. To keep HIV under control and maintain a healthy immune system, you will need to take ART every day for the rest of your life, according to the current guidelines for HIV treatment. However, there are new regimes that are at the verge of being introduced wherein , PLHIV need to take one injection in 2 months/ 6 months to maintain undetectable viral load.

9. Can ART cure HIV?

No, ART cannot cure HIV, but it can control the virus very effectively. With ART, people living with HIV can achieve an undetectable viral load, meaning the virus is not transmissible to others and does not multiply inside the body. Some people also call this a functional cure. This can also be compared to people with hypertension (high blood pressure) or diabetes and other metabolic disorders where they need to take medicines life long.

10. How do I know if ART is working?

Your healthcare provider will monitor your viral load and CD4 count regularly. If your viral load becomes undetectable and your CD4 count remains stable or increases, it means the ART is working well.

11. I am an HIV positive man. Can I marry an HIV negative woman and have kids with her ?

Yes, as an HIV-positive man, you can marry an HIV-negative woman and have healthy children. With effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) and maintaining an undetectable viral load (U=U), the risk of transmitting HIV to your partner is extremely low. Additionally, assisted reproductive technologies and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for your partner can further reduce the risk. It is crucial, for moral and ethical reasons, to disclose your HIV status to the person you wish to marry. Consult with a healthcare provider to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure the health and safety of your family.

12. What is U=U status while being on ART for HIV?

U=U stands for "Undetectable = Untransmittable." It means that when a person living with HIV is on effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) and maintains an undetectable viral load, they cannot transmit HIV to others through sexual contact. Achieving U=U status requires taking ART consistently as prescribed and regularly monitoring viral load. U=U is a powerful concept that underscores the effectiveness of ART in managing HIV and preventing its transmission.