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How can HIV/AIDS be better managed?
What are my treatment options?
Does treatment have any side effects?
Do I have to begin treatment now?
How long do I have to take medicine?
Can I ever stop my therapy?
How will my healthcare provider monitor my progress and my treatment?
How much does HIV therapy cost?
Are patient assistance programs available?
Does health insurance cover most of the cost of medication therapy?

How can HIV/AIDS be better managed?

Taking medications exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider is the most important way to prevent the progression of HIV. Taking medications improperly or missing doses can cause treatment to stop working. It can also lead to drug resistance, a condition where the HIV in the body changes into a form that can no longer be treated by the prescribed medication.

Maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet also is important in managing HIV. Good nutrition can help you properly absorb your medications, reduce side effects and maintain your body weight.

It is also important to continue to avoid high-risk behaviors to prevent the spread of the virus to others. A person receiving treatment for HIV/AIDS can still transmit the virus to others and can still become infected with another strain of HIV.

Finally, it is very important to keep all scheduled medical appointments Your healthcare provider can tell if your medication regimen is effective by monitoring your viral load and T-cell count and you should plan to see your healthcare provider regularly.

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What are my treatment options?

There are many treatment options available today. A person with HIV will require more frequent monitoring and visits to a healthcare provider than someone who is HIV-negative. Keeping your appointments allows you to control your health and strengthen a partnership with your healthcare provider so you can have frank discussions regarding medications, intimacy and relationships in general.

In addition to medication therapy, some people also use complementary or alternative medicines to treat HIV infection. Complementary and alternative medications are neither regulated by the FDA nor might they be always safe.

Some substances can interact with your HIV medications, and only your pharmacist or healthcare provider can help you understand what's safe. Most substances have not been studied enough to establish whether they are safe or whether they can help control HIV. This doesn't mean they don't work, but that there is not enough information to determine if they will work.

Research has not found any alternative therapy that is effective at controlling HIV as well as FDA-approved antiretrovirals. It is best to follow your healthcare provider's instructions and receive treatment that is known to suppress HIV. Discuss any complementary or alternative therapies you are considering with your healthcare provider.

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Does treatment have any side effects?

As with most medications, the potential for side effects exists. Today's HIV medications tend to have fewer and more mangeable side effects than before. Side effects will be different for each person.

You might feel like stopping your medications if you have an uncomfortable side effect, but it's important that you do not stop taking your medications unless instructed to do so by your healthcare provider.

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Do I have to begin treatment now?

It depends on your current CD4 cell count and viral load measurements. Current recommendations indicate when someone should begin antiretroviral therapy. If you have symptoms of HIV infection, regardless of your CD4 cell count or viral load, taking medications might lessen your symptoms. Unexplained fevers, night sweats and weight loss are reasons to consider starting medications earlier than the guidelines recommend. Although some people are encouraged to begin antiretroviral therapy sooner than others, starting antiretroviral therapy is never an emergency. You have time to think about your options. You shouldn't start antiretroviral therapy unless you know you can stick to a treatment plan.

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How long do I have to take medicine?

Once you start taking antiretrovirals you should keep taking them unless you and your doctor agree that you should stop. A medication regimen tailored to your lifestyle and what side effects you will tolerate can help you live a normal life span. It is important that you take your medication exactly as prescribed so you avoid drug resistance and experience the benefits of treatment.

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Can I ever stop my therapy?

There are times when stopping your medications is recommended by your healthcare provider, although this does not happen very often. Your healthcare provider might stop your medication regimen if serious side effects develop, or you are having trouble taking your medications as prescribed. But the decision to stop medication should only be made by your healthcare provider.

Never stop your medications without first consulting your pharmacist or healthcare provider. This includes when you are feeling better. You may feel like you can stop taking the medications, but you are feeling better because of the medications. Do not stop unless directed by your healthcare provider.

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How will my healthcare provider monitor my progress and my treatment?

Most people see their HIV healthcare provider every three to four months. For some people, the time between visits can be extended up to six months. It is important to keep your regular healthcare appointments so any changes in your health status can be addressed immediately.

At each visit, your provider will ask how you are feeling and whether you have noticed any changes in your health. If you are ever feeling sick, you should make an appointment to see your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

If you take medications to treat your HIV infection, your healthcare provider will monitor your treatment regularly to follow your T-cell count and HIV viral load. Your T-cell count can vary from day to day and can even vary at different times of the same day. It can indicate how the virus has affected your immune system and how effective your treatment has been. The goal is to have a viral load that is undetectable, which is usually below 50 copies/mL of blood. Your T-cell count and HIV viral load are measured every three to four months.

You'll also be given blood tests to monitor your liver, kidneys and complete blood count. These tests are usually done at your regularly scheduled appointments with your healthcare provider.

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How much does HIV therapy cost?

HIV care can be expensive, and now that people are living longer, the lifetime costs can be significant. Most antiretroviral medication regimens cost between $17,000 and $22,000 per year. But, don't let this prevent you from seeking proper care and treatment. Talk to your healthcare provider, social worker, case manager or pharmacist if you have questions about how to pay for your prescriptions.

Many health plans require copays for medicine and clinic visits. If you have health insurance options, choose the plan that minimizes your out-of-pocket expenses but still covers the care you need. Other resources are available to help cover the costs of care and medications.

The available assistance differs, depending on where you live, whether you are employed and whether you have health insurance. The Ryan White CARE Act is a federally funded program that provides resources exclusively to people with HIV who have no other way to fund their HIV care.

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Are patient assistance programs available?

Every state has programs that help people living with AIDS obtain medication to treat HIV infection. Medicaid and AIDS Drug Assistance Programs are two such state programs. Each state has different eligibility requirements, so check with your local health department or HIV case manager to see if you qualify. Other plans may also be available through your state, city, county or local AIDS service organizations.

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Does health insurance cover most of the cost of medication therapy?

Health insurance usually covers the cost of medications used to treat HIV. There are usually copays or coinsurance you are required to pay out of pocket. For example, medications to treat side effects and other health conditions are often prescribed in addition to your HIV medications. These medications might not always be covered by all plans. Sometimes these out-of-pocket fees can add up, depending on your insurance coverage and your treatment plan. Check with your local AIDS service organizations to ask about programs that can help with copays.

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Information provided here does not constitute professional medical advice. Although it is intended to be accurate, neither Walgreen Co., its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage due to reliance on this material. If you have a medical question, consult your medical professional.