How to Manage HIV

HIV infection causes the immune system to become increasingly weak over time; this is because HIV targets and infects cells of the immune system. When host cells are infected, they stop performing their original function, helping the body fight off disease, and instead produce more copies of HIV which go on to infect other cells. To counteract this affect, HIV-disease is managed through the use of antiretroviral drugs, and through some other therapies to combat the effects of HIV disease.

Things You'll Need

• Antiretroviral medications and other therapies as prescribed by your doctor

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Instructions

Managing HIV

• 1

  Visit your doctor periodically after diagnosis with HIV to undergo monitoring testing. By following the development of HIV-disease, you and your doctor can make decisions about beginning treatment for HIV. Antiretroviral therapy is generally begun after HIV has had an impact on the immune system but before the development of AIDS, which is the fourth stage of HIV-disease.

• 2

  Take antiretroviral medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Antiretroviral drugs are almost always combined into a multi-drug treatment plan called highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). This treatment plan involves taking several drugs at specific points throughout the day under differing circumstances. In order to maximize the benefits of antiretroviral therapy and to avoid developing resistance to drugs, it is important to medications as prescribed and to not skip or miss doses.

• 3

  Continue checkup visits with your doctor in order determine the efficacy of treatment and to monitor the progress of disease. Report the development of symptoms to your doctor so that these can be managed, perhaps by altering the antiretroviral regimen or through the administration of other, specific treatments.

• 4

  Become familiar with the side effects of antiretroviral medications that you are taking. All medications, including antiretroviral drugs, carry a risk of side effects, and knowing these can help you recognize them and report them to your doctor. After discussing side effects with your doctor, the antiretroviral regimen may sometimes be adjusted to minimize these effects.