HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a serious problem because it infects and kills special white blood cells called CD4 cells. These cells are important in fighting many kinds of infections. As HIV progresses it can cause a condition known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Although there is no cure for AIDS, there are many treatments that can slow the disease's progression.
Medication Purpose
AIDS treatment focuses on slowing the virus's destruction of the immune system. Most AIDS treatments work to impede HIV's ability to either infect CD4 cells or to slow the rate at which the virus is able to duplicate itself. By slowing the disease's progression, AIDS medications can keep the immune system intact for longer periods of time, which helps fend off the complications that ultimately occur with AIDS.
Types
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases explains that there are four main types of medications that can be used to treat HIV/AIDS. Reverse transcriptase inhibitors work by preventing the virus from replicating its genetic material. Fusion inhibitors keep the virus from being able to enter the cell. Protease inhibitors keep the virus from producing viral particles. Finally, integrase inhibitors keep the virus from adding its genetic material to the host cell. All of these medications work to inhibit portions of the viral life cycle.
Starting Treatment
The United States Department of Health and Human Services explains that patients who are infected with HIV do not necessarily need to start treatment immediately. Patients who are HIV positive should talk with their doctor about when to start taking HIV medications. This decision depends on the health of the patient's immune system, the amount of virus in the body (also known as viral load) as well as the preferences of the individual patient. Some patients may delay treatment due to the side effects of the medication.
Side Effects
The FDA notes that there are many different side effects that can occur as a result of taking AIDS medications. Many of these are fairly mild and include an upset stomach, fatigue and headache. More serious side effects include liver damage, changes in fat distribution, elevated blood sugar levels and bone loss. Patients taking these medications should be monitored for these serious side effects so as to avoid complications.
Antibiotics
Patients with AIDS are at risk of developing infections that are normally fought off by a healthy immune system. These infections are termed opportunistic infections because they can cause problems in patients with severely weakened immune systems. These diseases typically are treated with antibiotics to help combat the disease and aid the patient's defenses against these organisms.
