AIDS / HIV - Treatment

Human Immunodeficiency Virus attacks the CD4 immune cells, which are the immune system cells. CD4 cells trigger the immune system to create antibodies in order to fight off infection. As HIV destroys the CD4 cells, the function of immune system is suppressed and the affected person is not able to defend infection. As HIV reduces the CD4 cells, in your body, the person is unable to defend from infection. The immunosuppressed patient develops illness, infection and ultimately, AIDS.

Treatment for AIDS

Treatment strategy for AIDS virus involves the following principles:

1. To have an effective drug that kills the HIV virus once it enters the body.

2. To create a vaccine that would prevent the disease.

3. To educate people world wide about the dangers of AIDS and how to prevent the HIV infection.

On these principles current treatment against AIDS aims at:

Anti-HIV (also called antiretroviral) medications are used to control the reproduction of the virus and to slow the progression of HIV-related disease.

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) is the recommended treatment for HIV infection.

HAART combines three or more anti-HIV medications in a daily regimen.

Anti-HIV medications do not cure HIV infection and individuals taking these medications can still transmit HIV to others.