There is no HIV/AIDS treatment available today that will cure HIV infections. However, there are HIV/AIDS treatment programs that can help those who have the infection to live longer healthier lives. Some medications are now available to attack HIV infections. They are used to reduce the ability of the HIV infections to harm the immune system or to prevent it from entering the immune system cells.
Other medications are used to prevent or treat the opportunistic infections caused by HIV infections and the damage to the immune system. HIV/AIDS treatment drugs that are used to suppress HIV infections are known as antiretroviral. Many times these drugs are used in combination with one another to create and HIV/AIDS treatment cocktails. Studies have shown these combinations of drugs are more effective than using one or two drugs by themselves. The uses of these HIV/AIDS treatment cocktails also help prevent developing a drug resistance to a certain drug.
Some of these HIV/AIDS treatment drugs to have side effects that may limit the use of these medications in some people. AZT, one of the best known HIV/AIDS treatment cocktails, can cause a loss of needed blood cells. Other drugs can often cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms.
HIV/AIDS treatment drugs are also used to treat or prevent the opportunistic infections often found in HIV/AIDS infections. Many people develop one or more of the following infections as a direct result of the HIV/AIDS infections: Pneumonia, skin ulcers, yeast infections in women, certain cancers, and other infections are all possible with HIV/AIDS infections. By treating these diseases, there is less of an impact on the immune system.
You should discuss the current HIV/AIDS treatment drugs available with your health care provider. There are many combinations of treatments available; you and your doctor can decide which is best for you. For a comprehensive chart on the available HIV/AIDS treatment medications, go to http://www.cdc.gov/. This is the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website, which is full of HIV/AID information and possible treatment plans.
Two more sites to check out are http://www.aids.org/ and http://hopkins-aids.edu/. The first is from the AIDS organization, and offers information and support to HIV/AIDS victims. The second is a site from John Hopkins hospital, and has current research and past research results. Information is also available from your local or state health department. Take the time to research HIV/AIDS infections and gather as much information as you can before beginning any HIV/AIDS treatment plan. Be sure you and your loved ones can support the programs you have chosen. Many of the current drug therapies required multiple daily doses and can often make you feel ill. By speaking with your loved ones, they will be able to understand and help during this difficult period of your life.