Connected: HIV - The Facts

HIV is a virus that weakens the immune system over a period of time, and if left untreated can lead to AIDS.

It was discovered in 1984 and until 1996 it was a serious untreatable infection. But since then there have been major advances in the treatment of HIV, and big improvements in the way people live with it. This has come about because of drugs called antiretrovirals (ARVs).

After your first few appointments you’ll probably attend your clinic about every three months, whether you’re on treatment or not. Your doctor will do regular tests to see how you’re doing.

The CD4 count is a measure of how strong your immune system is. Your doctor will use this information to help you to consider when you should start treatment. This will vary on an individual basis.

The viral load measures how much HIV is present in your blood. When you start treatment the doctors will aim to reduce your viral load to an undetectable amount (ie below 40 or 50 copies). This helps to minimise damage to your immune system.

When it is time for you to start medication, you will be able to discuss options with clinic staff. You will have to take a combination of antiretroviral drugs once or twice a day. Some of these pills contain 2-3 different drugs to make it easier to take.

Sometimes treatment doesn’t work. This is usually because people forget to take it. At present HIV treatment is for life; once you’re on it, you stay on it and you need to take every dose as prescribed. If you don’t, HIV can develop resistance to the drugs.

Some drugs have side effects but most wear off after a week or so. There is enough choice to find a combination most people can take.

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