ARV – Hello Doctor

HIV is a human immunodeficiency virus that, if not managed correctly, can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). AIDS is the final and most severe stage of HIV. According to UNAIDS in 2017 over 30 million people around the world were living with HIV.

If you have HIV, you should start antiretroviral treatment as soon as possible as the human body can’t get rid of HIV completely, even with treatment. HIV attacks your white blood cells and reduces the number of them in your body. White blood cells are important for keeping your immune system healthy. Without treatment, HIV slowly weakens the immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off illness or infection.

Antiretroviral treatment

Antiretroviral drugs are called ARVs. These medications treat HIV, but don’t kill or cure the virus. They can only keep the virus from completely destroying your immune system. When the virus is slowed down, so is the development of the HIV disease. HIV therapy involves a mix of drugs that must be taken once or twice daily.

ARV therapy works by keeping the level of HIV in your body low (your viral load). This lets your immune system recover and stay strong. When your viral load is low it also helps to prevent HIV being passed on to a partner.

One pill to fight HIV

HIV experts have developed a capsule that can slowly release one week’s worth of antiretroviral drugs in a single dose. Researchers say a once-a-week, slow-release pill may keep HIV infections under control and help prevent new HIV infections altogether. The aim is to make it easier for patients to take their medication.

A combination of antiretroviral drugs must be taken every day for treatment to be successful, but patients can find it hard to stick to such routines. So, taking one pill for the week could simplify the schedule.

A study done with animals suggests that this new approach could work. The tablet looks like a normal capsule, but when it reaches the stomach, its coating dissolves and a special structure unfolds. It stays in the stomach for seven days and slowly releases the drugs into your system. On testing the drug-loaded capsule on pigs, the researchers found that the capsule successfully settled in the animals’ stomachs, and slowly released the drug over the course of a week.

Although research on animals doesn’t always have the same effect as humans, researchers believe that their results show promise. The capsule needs to be tested in humans before it can be used for the prevention and treatment of HIV.

When will this new tablet be available?

Testing in people is expected to begin within two years. If it becomes a success, the pill may be available within five years. Replacing daily pills with a weekly routine could help patients stick to their dosage schedule.

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The HIV virus is one that attacks the body’s immune system and, without proper treatment, effectively destroys the body’s ability to fight off diseases. Once your immune system reaches a stage where it can no longer fight off infection, HIV becomes AIDS. And while there is no known cure for HIV or AIDs, ARV (anti-retroviral) drugs can help prevent the HIV virus from becoming full-blown aids. With ARVS, an HIV positive person can live a normal and full life as long as they continue taking medication and lead a healthy lifestyle.

We spoke to Dr. Albert from Hello Doctor to find out more about the HIV virus. Here’s what he had to say: “For starters, HIV is NOT a death sentence, and we’re working hard to reduce the stigma around the virus and how it’s contracted and spread. The more people understand what it’s really about, the better.”

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the causes, symptoms and treatment options available for HIV.

What Causes HIV?

HIV CANNOT be spread by:

Drinking from the same cup as an HIV positive person
Using the same cutlery or crockery as an HIV positive person
Using the same towels as an HIV positive person
Sharing a toilet with an HIV positive person – these are all common myths.

HIV IS spread by:

Using/sharing infected needles
From mother-to-child during pregnancy or delivery
If infected blood enters your bloodstream through an open wound
Through unprotected sex with an HIV positive person

What Are The Symptoms of HIV?

The symptoms of HIV change over time, as the virus develops and spreads through the body. The first symptoms can show up as early as 3 weeks after a person has been infected. These initial symptoms of HIV include:

Fever
Night sweats
Muscle aches
Diarrhoea
Swollen glands
Skin rashes
Headaches

Once any initial symptoms have subsided, an HIV positive person might not have any symptoms for years. Once the virus has advanced however, new symptoms appear, and these are often much more severe – especially if a person isn’t receiving ARV treatment.

More severe HIV symptoms include:

Significant weight-loss
Swollen glands
Easy bruising and slow healing
Skin rashes
Oral thrush
Vaginal discharge
Shingles
Sore throat
Recurring fever
Night sweats
Persistent cough
Pain
Loss of muscle strength and tone

What Treatment Options Are There For HIV?

Although there is currently no known cure for HIV/AIDS, an ARV (ant-retroviral) drug treatment plan is very effective at helping ensure the infection does not get worse or develop into full-blown aids. ARVs, when taken exactly as prescribed, are used to stop the spread of the HIV virus in the body and help restore the body’s immune system.

As we said, the treatment plan is very effective, but a person needs to follow the plan very carefully and make sure they eat a healthy, balanced diet. Failure to stick to the plan can cause the HIV virus to become drug-resistant, which renders the ARVs ineffective.

How Can I Reduce My Risk Of Contracting HIV?

Know your HIV status, and tell your partner – it’s important to be honest
Abstain from sex altogether
Unless you are in a monogamous, faithful relationship and you both know your HIV status, you should always use a condom each time you have sex

Speak To A Doctor About HIV

If you or someone you know is HIV positive, and you’d like to find out more about healthy eating, treatment and how to avoid spreading the disease, remember you can speak to one of our doctors right now. All you need to do is register for Hello Doctor, and download the app.

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

What are the different types of treatment available?
When does a person start treatment?
What lifestyle changes will be beneficial?
What Cipla medication can be prescribed if you are HIV+

Tag: ARV

Can you treat HIV with a tablet per week?