How HIV Treatment Changing Lives for the Better

February 22, 2023 Helal Medical

Current HIV treatment is truly changing Lives of those living with HIV, making it longer and healthier. As you may know, Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a virus that weakens the immune system, finally leads to AIDS and death, if not treated properly. Until recently, an HIV diagnosis meant a lifetime fear of what the future may hold. However, with advances in medical technology and research, HIV treatment has changed the lives of millions of people living with the virus.

Current HIV treatment

Today, HIV treatment, called ART, is not only more effective, but also more accessible than ever before. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a combination of medications that suppresses the virus and allows people living with HIV to lead long, healthy, productive lives. This treatment has been so successful that people on ART have a life expectancy similar to that of the general population.

HIV Treatment is Changing Lives of HIV-positive individuals

Increased life expectancy
Improved quality of life
No fear of AIDS or opportunistic infections
Prevention of transmission to others

In addition to increased life expectancy, HIV treatment has also improved quality of life for people living with the virus. Once a diagnosis meant the possibility of developing AIDS and the potential for debilitating opportunistic infections. However, with current treatment, using ART, HIV-positive individuals can live longer without progressing to AIDS, and are less likely to develop opportunistic infections.

Another benefit of HIV treatment is the prevention of transmission to others. Effective ART reduces the amount of virus in the blood to undetectable levels, meaning that the risk of transmitting the virus to others is virtually eliminated. In fact, the U=U (Undetectable = Un transmittable) campaign has been launched to help promote the fact that people on ART cannot transmit the virus to their sexual partners.

Treatment is not a cure

While HIV treatment has been life-changing for people living with the virus, we have to remember that treatment is not a cure. People living with HIV must continue to take medication for the rest of their lives in order to manage the virus. However, proper treatment and care, can lead long, healthy and fulfilling lives.

SUMMARY

HIV treatment has improved a long way in the past few decades, changing the lives of millions of people living with the virus. Current treatment leads to improved life expectancy, quality of life, and reduces the risk of transmission. While HIV is still a serious condition, advances in medical technology and research have made living with the virus a manageable chronic condition. With continued research, there is hope that a cure may one day be found.

Treatment tips for HIV people for changing their lives for better

“The most important way to prevent virus transmission when living with HIV is by taking HIV medications and working with your HIV provider. The risk that you will transmit HIV goes up substantially if you miss doses of HIV medicines or stop taking them.” [1]

Injectable HIV treatment can be life changing treatment. The therapy was approved by the U.S. FDA in January of 2021. HIV healthcare providers and people living with HIV shared information about the therapy and their experience with it during a webinar organized by AIDS Foundation Chicago.[2]

“People living with HIV can maintain healthy sexual relationships with partners who are HIV-negative. Modern HIV treatments are so effective that the risk of transmitting the virus can be minimal. [3]

“If people living with HIV begin ART immediately, take their medications as prescribed to have healthy lifestyle and become able to live a full life. [4]