NAPWA

Most of the recent attention in HIV research has focused on treatments that attack HIV itself, or work against the virusA small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell. in the body. However, there is a significant move towards looking at ways to prevent, treat or repair immune system damage caused by HIV. read more »

There’s not a lot known about how HIV treatments interact with illicit or recreational drugs, though this is changing. Although it is not recommended or advised that recreational drugs be consumed, if you do take recreational drugs, there are some common cautions you could follow: read more »

Reinfection, or ‘superinfection’ as it is sometimes known, means someone contracting a new or secondary infection from a virusA small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell. with which they have already been infected. In some viral diseases such as measles or mumps, reinfection does not occur because the original infection creates immunity. read more »

Some people with HIV with significant immune impairment, or people who have taken a wide range of antiviralA medication or substance which is active against one or more virusesA small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell.. May include anti-HIV drugs, but these are more accurately termed antiretroviralsA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV.. drugs over a period of many years may experience problems with their antiviral treatments because they are resistantHIV which has mutated and is less susceptible to the effects of one or more anti-HIV drugs is said to be resistant. to some classes of drugs. read more »

Any drug can cause side effects, or unwanted effects. These can be divided into different types: allergic reactions and short-term side effects; ongoing side effects; and long-term toxicities or effects which can develop over a number of years. Not everyone gets side effects from their drugs and not everyone experiences the same side effects, many are quite rare. read more »

At the turn of the century, combinations of three or more HIV antiviralA medication or substance which is active against one or more virusesA small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell.. May include anti-HIV drugs, but these are more accurately termed antiretroviralsA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV.. drugs were shown to be highly effective in treating HIV disease. At the time it was hoped that after long periods on these drugs it may be possible to ‘eradicate’ HIV from the body. In 2008 it is now known this is not possible with the current treatments. read more »

Adherence (also referred to as compliance) means the extent to which you take the right dose of the drugs at the right time. Taking the right dose at the right time is important. Skipping doses can mean that the drug becomes ineffective against the virusA small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell. and allows resistanceHIV which has mutated and is less susceptible to the effects of one or more anti-HIV drugs is said to be resistantHIV which has mutated and is less susceptible to the effects of one or more anti-HIV drugs is said to be resistant.. to develop, see Resistance. read more »

There are lots of possible combinations of HIV drugs. It’s not possible to describe them all in this booklet. Further, people will respond differently to the same combinations, for a variety of reasons. Just because something worked for a friend doesn’t mean it will work for you, and vice versa. There are many factors affecting individual responses to HIV and therapy. read more »

There is no set rule on when to start HIV treatments - if you feel generally lacking in energy, are suffering fevers, rashes or swollen glands you can consider HIV treatment at any CD4 count. However, you do not need to make any decisions straight away. read more »

Every time HIV reproduces itself there’s a high chance that it may ‘mutate’ slightly. A ‘mutation’ is a small alteration in the genetic makeup. These alterations may make the virusA small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell. more resistantHIV which has mutated and is less susceptible to the effects of one or more anti-HIV drugs is said to be resistant. to an individual drug or potentially a class of drug.The more the virus is reproducing (i.e. the higher the viral loadA measurement of the quantity of HIV RNA in the blood. Viral load blood test results are expressed as the number of copies (of HIV) per milliliter of blood plasma.) the more chances there are of mutations occurring. read more »