The treatment goals for HIV and AIDS are to suppress viral replication, restore immune system function, and delay disease progression. Modern medicine has significantly improved the quality of life and prognosis for patients through a combination of multiple strategies. The core of treatment is antiretroviral therapy (ART), particularly the application of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), making HIV a manageable chronic disease.
Treatment plans must be tailored according to the patient's age, stage of infection, characteristics of the viral strain, and potential complications. Regular monitoring of viral load and CD4+ T cell counts are key indicators for assessing treatment efficacy. The medical community continues to develop new drugs and treatment strategies while emphasizing the importance of patient education and psychological support to enhance treatment adherence and long-term health.
Modern treatment strategies center around "antiretroviral combination therapy," which combines drugs with different mechanisms of action to avoid the development of drug resistance. The main treatment options include:
Treatment regimens should be adjusted based on the results of viral genotyping tests, and regular assessments of drug side effects and treatment responses are necessary. In resource-limited areas, the World Health Organization recommends simplifying treatment processes with fixed-dose combination medications.
HAART combines three or more antiretroviral drugs with different mechanisms of action, effectively reducing viral load to undetectable levels. A typical combination includes two nucleoside drugs and one non-nucleoside drug, or the addition of a protease inhibitor to enhance efficacy. Recently developed integrase inhibitors (INSTIs) have fewer side effects and are gradually becoming the preferred option.
The current main drug classifications are as follows:
Emerging drugs such as long-acting injectable cabotegravir, administered every few weeks, enhance treatment convenience and adherence. However, all medications may cause side effects such as liver and kidney dysfunction, and lipid metabolism disorders, requiring regular monitoring.
Patients often experience psychological issues such as depression and anxiety, necessitating the combination of psychological counseling and support groups. Social workers can assist with medical, employment, and insurance issues, reducing the risk of treatment interruption.
Antitubercular and antifungal medications are used to manage opportunistic infections, and prophylactic treatment can reduce mortality rates. For patients with coexisting cardiovascular diseases, adjustments to antihypertensive and lipid-lowering medications are necessary.
Gene editing technologies like CRISPR aim to directly eliminate latent viral reservoirs, while vaccine research focuses on inducing broadly neutralizing antibodies. These experimental therapies are still in clinical trial phases and are not yet widely applied.
A healthy lifestyle can enhance treatment efficacy:
Avoiding alcohol and drugs is crucial, as they may increase drug toxicity. Regular dental check-ups can prevent common complications such as oral candidiasis.
Research focuses include:
Artificial intelligence is being applied to predict drug side effects and treatment responses, with personalized medicine becoming a future trend. Newly discovered monoclonal antibody drugs in 2023 have shown promising clinical responses and may become a second-line treatment option.
Patients should seek immediate medical attention in the following situations:
It is recommended to conduct complete virological and immunological assessments every 3-6 months, with follow-ups every 4 weeks during the initial treatment phase. If signs of treatment failure appear, immediate discussion with a physician regarding treatment plan adjustments is necessary.
Yes, even if the viral load has dropped to undetectable levels, patients still need regular blood tests to monitor immune function, liver and kidney function, and drug side effects. Physicians will adjust medications based on CD4 lymphocyte counts and viral loads to prevent drug resistance and maintain efficacy.
How can individuals who are not infected with HIV reduce their risk of infection through preventive medication?Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective method that involves taking specific antiretroviral medications daily, reducing the risk of infection by over 90%. This regimen should be used after a physician's evaluation, along with regular HIV testing and health monitoring, and should not rely solely on medication while neglecting safe behaviors.
What nutritional or dietary principles should individuals infected with HIV pay special attention to in daily life?A balanced diet is crucial for maintaining immune function. It is recommended to consume high-protein, vitamin, and mineral-rich foods while avoiding high-salt and high-sugar diets to reduce organ strain. If gastrointestinal side effects arise from therapy, consulting a nutritionist to adjust the diet may ensure adequate nutrient absorption.
Can HIV-infected mothers have natural births and breastfeed?If the mother has been consistently receiving ART before pregnancy and maintains viral suppression, natural birth may be considered after physician evaluation. Breastfeeding depends on the control of the virus; in some regions, formula feeding is recommended to avoid the risk of mother-to-child transmission, with specific plans executed according to individual medical cases.
Can living with or coming into contact with the blood of an HIV-infected person lead to infection?Casual contact such as sharing meals or touching sweat or tears does not transmit the virus. However, if exposed to the blood of an infected person, the contact area should be cleaned immediately with soap, and medical evaluation should be sought promptly to assess whether post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is necessary. The HIV virus quickly becomes inactive in the external environment, making the risk of transmission through daily contact extremely low.
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