Treatment
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There is no vaccine and cure for HIV infection but there are some effective treatments that can help individuals diagnosed with HIV to live longer, healthier and more productively. Researchers have developed antiretroviral therapy (ART) which consists of a combination of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs that have the ability to suppress the virus, even to an ‘undetectable’ viral load.
These are the six major classes of antiretroviral drugs targeting different steps involved in the lifecycle of HIV. These classes include non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), protease inhibitors (PIs), fusion inhibitors, CCR5 antagonists, and integrase inhibitors (Aidsinfo 2012). In order to prevent the strains of HIV from developing resistance to the medication, taking Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), the combination of at least three drugs, is recommended.
Currently there are 31 FDA-approved antiretroviral drugs for HIV. In developed nations where these therapeutics are readily available, the number of morbidity and mortality resulting from HIV/AIDS have decreased (Bertozzi et.al. 2006). However, some of the drawbacks the antiretroviral therapy faces include its side effects (fever, nausea, fatigue, or rash) and high cost.
Many opportunistic infections can be prevented by taking certain antibiotics or antifungal medication depending on the microorganisms involved in the infections. Treatments for AIDS-related cancers are also available (New York State Department of Health 2013). Not only it is important to receive medical treatment for HIV/AIDS, it is also critical to have healthy living practices (Mayoclinic 2012).
These are the six major classes of antiretroviral drugs targeting different steps involved in the lifecycle of HIV. These classes include non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), protease inhibitors (PIs), fusion inhibitors, CCR5 antagonists, and integrase inhibitors (Aidsinfo 2012). In order to prevent the strains of HIV from developing resistance to the medication, taking Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), the combination of at least three drugs, is recommended.
Currently there are 31 FDA-approved antiretroviral drugs for HIV. In developed nations where these therapeutics are readily available, the number of morbidity and mortality resulting from HIV/AIDS have decreased (Bertozzi et.al. 2006). However, some of the drawbacks the antiretroviral therapy faces include its side effects (fever, nausea, fatigue, or rash) and high cost.
Many opportunistic infections can be prevented by taking certain antibiotics or antifungal medication depending on the microorganisms involved in the infections. Treatments for AIDS-related cancers are also available (New York State Department of Health 2013). Not only it is important to receive medical treatment for HIV/AIDS, it is also critical to have healthy living practices (Mayoclinic 2012).