Are There Treatments For Hiv/Aids?

 

For many years, there were no effective treatments for AIDS.  Today, people in many countries can use a number of drugs to treat HIV infection and AIDS.  Some of these are designed to treat the opportunistic infections and illnesses that affect people with HIV/AIDS.  In addition, several types of drugs seek to prevent HIV itself from reproducing and destroying the body's immune system:

*Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors attack an HIV enzyme called reverse transcriptase. They include Abacavir, Delavirdine, Didanosine (ddl), Efavirenz, Lamivudine (3TC), Nevirapine, Stavudine (d4T), Zalcitabine (ddC) and Zidovudine (AZT).

Many HIV patients are taking several of these drugs in combination--a regimen known as Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART).  When successful such combination or *Cocktails* Therapy can reduce the level of HIV in the bloodstream to very low, even undetectable levels and sometimes enables the body's CD4 immune cells to rebound to normal levels.

Researchers are working to develop new drugs known as Fusion Inhibitors and Entry Inhibitors that can prevent HIV from attaching to and infecting human immune cells.  Efforts are also underway to identify new targets for Anti-HIV medications and to discover ways of restoring the ability of damaged immune systems to defend against HIV and the many illnesses that affect HIV-infected individuals.  Ultimately, advances in rebuilding the immune system of HIV patients will benefit people with a number of serious illnesses, including Cancer, Alzheimer's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Immune Deficiencies associated with Aging and Premature Birth.

Is There A Cure For Aids?

 

There is still no cure for AIDS and while new drugs are helping some people with HIV/AIDS live longer, healthier lives, there are many problems associated with them:

*Existing treatments do not work for many people with HIV/AIDS.

*Anti-HIV drugs are highly toxic and can cause serious side effects, including heart damage, kidney failure, and osteoporosis.  Many (perhaps even most) patients cannot tolerate long-term treatment with HAART.

*HIV mutates constantly.  In as many as 40% of people on HAART, HIV mutates into new viral strains that have become highly resistant to current drugs and as many as 10% of newly infected people are acquiring drug-resistant strains of the virus.

*Because treatment regimens are unpleasant and complex, many patients occasionally miss doses of their medication.  Failure to take Anti-HIV drugs on schedule and in the prescribed dosage can encourage the development of new viral strains that are resistant to current HIV drugs.

*Even among those who do respond well to treatment, HAART does not eradicate HIV.  The virus continues to replicate at low levels and often remains hidden in *Reservoirs* in the body, such as the lymph nodes and brain.

Importantly, roughly 95% of all people with HIV/AIDS live in the developing world, where there is virtually no access to antiretroviral treatments.  In the U.S., HAART contributed to a significant decline in the annual number of AIDS-related deaths between 1996 and 1998.  But the rate of this decline has now slowed markedly and some communities have begun reporting an increase in Aids deaths.

Is There A Vaccine Tp Prevent Hiv Infection?

 

Despite continued intensive research experts believe it will be at least a decade before we have a safe, effective and affordable AIDS vaccine.  And even after a vaccine id developed, it will take many years before the millions of people at risk of HIV infection worldwide can be immunized.  Until then, other HIV prevention methods, such as practicing safer sex and using sterile syringes, will remain essential.

Can You Tell Whether Someone Has HIV/AIDS?

 

You cannot tell by looking at someone whether he or she is infected with HIV or has AIDS.  An infected person can appear completely healthy.  But anyone infected with HIV can infect other people, even if no symptoms are present.

How Can I Know Whether I'm Hiv-Infected?

 

Immediately after infection, some people may develop mild, temporary flu-like symptoms or persistent swollen glangs.  Even if you look and feel healthy, you may be infected.  The only wait to know your HIV status for sure is to be tested for HIV antibodies--proteins the body produces in an effort to fight off infection.  This usually requires a blood sample.  If a person's blood has HIV antibodies that means the person is infected.

Should I Get Tested?

 

If you think you might have been exposed to HIV, you should get tested as soon as possible.  Here's why:

*Even in the early stages of infection, you can take concrete steps to protect your long-term health.  Many physicians still recommend a *Hit Early and Hit Hard* approach to anti-HIV therapy.  But even if you don't begin taking medications right away, regular check-ups with a doctor who has experience with HIV/AIDS will enable you and your family members, or loved ones to make the best decisions about how and when to begin treatment, without waiting until you get sick.  Taking an active approach to managing HIV may give you many more years of healthy life than you would otherwise have.

*If you are HIV-Positive, you will be able to take the precautions necessary to protect others from becoming infected.

*If you are HIV-Positive and pregnant, you can take medications and other precautions to significantly reduce the risk of infecting your infant, including refraining from breast-feeding.

How Can I Get Tested?

 

Most people are tested by private physicians, at local health department facilities, or in hospitals.  In addition, many states offer anonymous HIV testing.  It is important to seek testing at a place that also provides counseling about HIV and AIDS.  Counselors can answer questions about high-risk behavior and suggest ways you can protect yourself and others in the future.  They can also help you understand the meaning of the test results and refer you to local AIDS-related resources.

Though less readily available, there is also a viral load test that can reveal the presence of HIV in the blood within three to five days of initial exposure, as well as highly accurate saliva tests that are nearly equivalent to blood tests in determining HIV antibody status.  You can also purchase a kit that allows you to collect your own blood sample, send it to a lab for testing and receive the results anonymously.  Only the *Home Access* brand kit is approved by the Food And Drug Administration.  It can be found at most drugstores.

Keep in mind that while most blood tests are able to detect HIV infection within four weeks of initial exposure, it can sometimes take as long as three to six months for antibodies to reach detectable levels.  The CDC currently recommends testing six months after the last possible exposure to HIV.

The CDC's National AIDS Hotline can answer questions about HIV testing and refer you to testing sites in your area.  Operators are available toll-free,24 hours a day, seven days a week, at:

*1-800-342-2437 (English)

*1-800-344-7432 (Spanish)

*1-800-243-7889 (TTY/deaf access)

Where Can I Get More Information About HIV/AIDS?

 

There are many valuable sources of HIV/AIDS information, including the following:

*The Centers For Disease Control And Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/dhap.htm or the phone numbers above.

*Your state or local health department (see your local phone book).

*Your local AIDS service organization (see your local phone book).

*Amfars's HIV/AIDS Treatment Directory at: http://www.amfar.org/td

*HIV Insite at: http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu

*AEGIS (AIDS Education Global Information System) at: http://www.aegis.com

*The Body:  An AIDS and HIV Information Resource at: http://www.thebody.com

How Can I Help Fight Hiv/Aids?

 

Everyone can play a role in dealing with this epidemic.  Here are just a few suggestions for how you can make a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS:

*Volunteer with your local HIV/AIDS service organization.

*Talk with the young people you know about HIV/AIDS.

*Urge government officials to provide adequate funding for AIDS research, prevention education, medical care and support services.

*Speak out against AIDS-related discrimination.

*Support continued research to develop better treatments and a safe and effective AIDS vaccine by making a personal donation.