WHAT ARE TREATMENT INTERRUPTIONS? WHAT ARE THE RISKS? THE BOTTOM LINE WHAT ARE TREATMENT INTERRUPTIONS? Researchers have studied interruptions of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for various reasons. These treatment interruptions are usually called structured or strategic treatment interruptions (STIs), or structured intermittent therapy (SIT). During most treatment breaks, the viral load climbs very quickly and CD4 […]

The full text of these guidelines is available on the Internet. WHY DO THE GUIDELINES KEEP CHANGING? VIRAL LOAD AND CD4 CELL TESTING RESISTANCE TESTING WHEN TO START TREATMENT GOALS OF THERAPY WHAT DRUGS SHOULD BE USED FIRST? INTERRUPTING TREATMENT WHEN TO CHANGE WHAT TO CHANGE TO? WHY DO THE GUIDELINES KEEP CHANGING? We keep […]

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WHAT IS RESISTANCE? HOW DOES RESISTANCE DEVELOP? TYPES OF RESISTANCE PHENOTYPIC TESTING GENOTYPIC TESTING VIRTUAL PHENOTYPE CROSS RESISTANCE PROBLEMS WITH RESISTANCE TESTING WHAT IS RESISTANCE? HIV is "resistant" to a drug if it keeps multiplying rapidly while you are taking the drug. Changes (mutations) in the virus cause resistance. HIV mutates almost every time a […]

WHAT IS ART? WHAT IS THE HIV LIFE CYCLE? APPROVED ARV DRUGS HOW ARE THE DRUGS USED? CAN THESE DRUGS CURE AIDS? WHEN DO I START? WHICH DRUGS DO I USE? WHAT’S NEXT? WHAT IS ARV THERAPY? ARV therapy means treating viral infections like HIV with drugs. The drugs do not kill the virus. However, […]

WHAT IS DIDANOSINE? WHO SHOULD TAKE DIDANOSINE? WHAT ABOUT DRUG RESISTANCE? HOW IS DIDANOSINE TAKEN? WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS? HOW DOES DIDANOSINE REACT WITH OTHER DRUGS? WHAT IS DIDANOSINE? Didanosine (Videx®, ddI), is a drug used as part of antiretroviral therapy (ART). It is manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb and by Barr Laboratories. Didanosine is […]

WHAT IS DIARRHEA? Diarrhea is an increase in the water content, frequency, and volume of bowel movements. It is frequent in people with HIV disease. Diarrhea can be a serious problem. Mild cases disappear within a few days. Severe cases can cause serious dehydration or nutritional problems. IS DIARRHEA DANGEROUS? The greatest risk of diarrhea […]

WHY IS NUTRITION IMPORTANT? NUTRITION GUIDELINES FOR PEOPLE WITH HIV PRACTICE FOOD SAFETY WHAT ABOUT SUPPLEMENTS? THE BOTTOM LINE FOR MORE INFORMATION WHY IS NUTRITION IMPORTANT? Good nutrition means getting enough macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients contain calories (energy): proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. They help you maintain your body weight. Micronutrients include vitamins and minerals. They […]

WHAT IS FATIGUE? IS FATIGUE IMPORTANT? HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE FATIGUE? WHAT CAUSES FATIGUE, AND HOW IS IT TREATED? THE BOTTOM LINE WHAT IS FATIGUE? Fatigue is tiredness that does not go away when you rest. It can be physical or psychological. With physical fatigue, your muscles cannot do things as easily […]

SIDE EFFECTS OF ANTIRETROVIRAL MEDICATIONS (ARVs)? BLOOD SUGAR BLOOD FATS See Fact Sheet 121 for information on the Complete Blood Count and Fact Sheet 122 for tests included in the Chemistry Panel. For information on normal laboratory values, see Fact Sheet 120. SIDE EFFECTS OF ANTIRETROVIRAL MEDICATIONS (ARVs)? Standard blood tests measure blood sugar (glucose) […]