Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a chronic illness that weakens the immune system. However, with the advancement of medicine, Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is now available to manage disease and help people live long and healthy lives. This makes HIV manageable just like other health conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
Despite the widespread availability of ART Treatment for HIV, many people are still intimidated by the idea of taking multiple medications daily. But the truth is, HIV ART Therapy is not as difficult as you think.
What is HIV ART Therapy?
HIV is a virus that infects the body and replicates itself in the host’s cells. As this process continues over time, it causes the person’s immune system to slowly get weaker.
Antiretroviral Therapy is a combination of medications used to treat HIV. ART Treatment for HIV is the most effective way to manage HIV and prevent its progression to AIDS.
ART Treatment for HIV: How it Works
ART Therapy involves taking a combination of antiretroviral drugs, which are designed to attack the virus in different ways. The medication works by preventing the virus from replicating and spreading to other cells, allowing the immune system to recover, and reducing the amount of virus in the blood (viral load). ART slows down the progression of the disease and prevents the development of AIDS.
Benefits of HIV ART Treatment
The benefits of ART Therapy are numerous, including:
- Improved Health: HIV ART therapy can significantly improve the health of people living with HIV by reducing the amount of virus in the blood and slowing down the progression of the disease.
- Reduced Transmission Risk: HIV ART therapy can reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to others by lowering the amount of virus in the body. This allows someone who is HIV positive to have an intimate relationship while providing for the safety of their partner.
- Longer Life Expectancy: With HIV ART therapy, people living with HIV can expect to live long and healthy lives.
How to Start ART Therapy
Starting ART Therapy is a straightforward process but before starting ART you must undergo a few pre-ART tests. Pre-ART tests help rule out other infections like Hepatitis B & C and Syphilis. Tuberculosis is commonly seen in people who are living with HIV, so before starting ART Therapy, a TB test or Chest X-ray is a must to rule out Tuberculosis. Depending upon these results, the choice of ART medication can be made and ART therapy can be started.
A healthcare provider will determine the best combination of Antiretroviral drugs for you based on factors such as your pre-ART test results, viral load, CD4 count, and medical history. Once ART Treatment for HIV is initiated, it is important to take the medications exactly as prescribed.
The goal of HIV treatment and ART is to reach a stage where the virus is suppressed and its presence is undetectable. This is the ideal situation for HIV patients and is a reality for many who receive proper medical care and take their medication regularly.
If someone is living with HIV and has not started ART Treatment for HIV yet, it’s never too late to start. Through consistent medication and expert medical attention, people living with HIV can effectively manage the disease and lead fulfilling lives while reducing the risk of transmitting the virus to others.
DrSafeHands provides confidential testing, consulting, treatment as well as counseling. For any queries on HIV ART Therapy, feel free to reach out to one of our experienced and well-qualified Doctors.
Disclaimer: This website may contain general information relating to various medical conditions and their treatment. Such information is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor or other qualified healthcare professionals. Readers should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing a health or fitness problem or disease. Readers should always consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional for medical advice or information about diagnosis and treatment.
