While there is currently no cure for HIV/AIDS, there are many medications that can control HIV and prevent complications and its spread.

These medications are part of a treatment process called antiretroviral therapy (ART).

ART combines two or more medications from different drug classes which lowers the amount of HIV in the blood.

Each class of drugs blocks the virus differently, accounting for individual drug resistance and maximizing the suppression of the virus in the blood.

The classes of anti-HIV drugs include:

– Entry or fusion inhibitors. These are used to block HIV’s entry into CD4 T cells.

– Integrase inhibitors. This medication disables the protein integrase, which HIV uses to insert its genetic material into certain cells.

– Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). This medication blocks off the vital protein needed by HIV to duplicate and make copies of itself.

– Nucleoside or nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). This creates defective versions of the building blocks that HIV needs to replicate.

– Protease inhibitors (PIs). This medication deactivates HIV protease, which is another vital protein that HIV needs to replicate itself.

Regardless of the stage of the infection or when you are diagnosed, ART should be started as soon as possible for the best possible outcome.

HIV/AIDS infection happens in three stages that get worse over time, eventually weakening and overpowering the immune system. They are:

Stage One: Acute HIV Infection Symptoms. After contracting HIV, your immune system will start to react within 2-6 weeks, producing various symptoms. The symptoms are similar to those of a viral illness, including headache, fatigue, aching muscles, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, rash, fever, ulcers, headache, and other neurological signs. It’s important to get tested as soon as possible if you have, or think you may have, come into contact with someone with HIV.

Stage Two: Clinical Latency Symptoms. Your immune system will eventually lose its battle with HIV, causing the flu-like symptoms to dissipate. This is known as the asymptomatic period or chronic HIV infection. During this stage, untreated HIV will start attacking vital CD4 cells and destroying your immune system, but you won’t present any symptoms.

Stage Three: AIDS Symptoms. AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV infection, occurring when your CD4 T-cell number drops below 200 and your immune system is severely damaged. Due to your weakened immunity, you’ll start to get infections that are more frequent, severe, and long-lasting. You will likely start to notice symptoms such as being tired all the time, swollen lymph nodes, night sweats, long-lasting fever, unexplained weight loss, purple skin spots that don’t go away, shortness of breath, chronic diarrhea, yeast infections, unexplained bruising or bleeding, memory loss, confusion, balance problems, behavior changes, seizures, and vision changes.

Without adequate treatment, those with AIDS have a life expectancy of about 3 years. With treatment, however, those with HIV/AIDS can continue to live healthy and enriching lives. It’s important to start HIV drugs as soon as possible, to take them as prescribed by your doctor, and to maintain healthy lifestyle habits to sustain a high quality of life and prevent the disease from spreading.

The primary type of treatment for HIV/AIDS is antiretroviral therapy (ART).

ART involves taking a specific combination of HIV medicines every day to prevent the spread and to stop symptoms from worsening. ART is recommended for everyone who has HIV, no matter what stage they’re at or how severe their symptoms are. While it’s not a cure, the continuous use of HIV medicines can help those with HIV and AIDS live longer, healthier lives. In addition, ART also reduces the risk of transmitting HIV to someone else.

HIV is treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART), which prevents the virus from replicating and spreading within the body. This gives the immune system a chance to repair itself, preventing further damage. With treatment, the viral load in your body should become undatable within 6-12 months.

However, medication must be taken permanently as HIV/AIDS is not curable – only manageable with consistent treatment.

At Invictus4Core, our team of medical professionals understands the impact that an HIV/AIDS diagnosis has on your life. We customize a treatment plan specifically made for you so that you continue living the life you deserve. Contact us today for more information about our HIV/AIDS treatment services or book online to schedule an appointment – we’re here for you whenever you’re ready! We are located at 3150 Custer Dr Suite 101, Lexington, KY 40517. We serve patients from Lexington KY, Keene KY, Brannon Woods KY, Georgetown KY, Nicholasville KY, Picadome KY, and all other surrounding areas in KY.