HIV and Aids

Types of drugs used to treat HIV
Drugs currently in use fall into three groups:

• Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, such as AZT that target an enzyme HIV uses known as reverse transcriptase
• Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, such as delavirdine, which also target the enzyme but work differently way
• Protease inhibitors, such as indinavir, which prevent HIV from making copies after it has entered a cell

More common side effects from antiviral drugs are headache, fever rash and nausea. Because HIV treatment requires combinations of two or more drugs, the risk of adverse interaction is greater than treatment for most other conditions. This is one more reason you should receive treatment from a doctor experienced in HIV care.

How can it be prevented?
Since the beginning of the epidemic, prevention measures for HIV have remained unchanged. As research uncovers more about genetic differences that seem to account for why some HIV-positive persons never develop symptoms, new avenues will open up for vaccine development. Work is also progressing on development of a microbicide that can protect women from HIV, possibly without killing sperm. Despite this, a preventive measure women can control is years away.

The means of preventing HIV are simple. It's the behaviour change that is so hard - and so critical. To prevent HIV infection, you have to avoid behaviour that might result in contact with blood, semen, vaginal secretions or body fluids with visible blood. Specifically, avoid sex with anyone who might be infected with HIV, and do not share 'drug injection supplies.'

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