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WHAT IS ART?
ART are medications that treat HIV. The drugs do not kill or cure the virus. However, when taken in
combination they can prevent the growth of the virus. When the virus is slowed down, so is HIV disease.
Antiretroviral drugs are referred to as ARV. Combination ARV therapy (cART) is referred to as highly
active ART(HAART).
Some peoples viral load is so low that it is undetectable by the viral load test. This does not mean that
all the virus is gone, and it does not mean a person is cured of HIV infection. See Fact Sheet 125 for
more information on viral load.
WHEN DO I START?
Current US guidelines say that everyone who is infected with HIV should start ARV therapy. See fact
sheet 404 for more information on treatment guidelines. This is an important decision you should discuss
with your health care provider.
WHATS NEXT?
New drugs are being studied in all of the existing classes. Researchers are also trying to develop new
types of drugs, such as drugs that will block other steps in the HIV life cycle, and drugs that will
strengthen the bodys immune defenses.
WHAT IS ART?
ART are medications that treat HIV. The drugs do not kill or cure the virus. However, when taken in
combination they can prevent the growth of the virus. When the virus is slowed down, so is HIV disease.
Antiretroviral drugs are referred to as ARV. Combination ARV therapy (cART) is referred to as highly
active ART(HAART).
10. The new virus matures: raw materials are cut by the protease enzyme and assembled into a
functioning virus.
WHEN DO I START?
Current US guidelines say that everyone who is infected with HIV should start ARV therapy. See fact
sheet 404 for more information on treatment guidelines. This is an important decision you should discuss
with your health care provider.
Adherence to ARVs is very important for treatment to work. The viral load test is used to see if ARV drugs
are working.
WHATS NEXT?
New drugs are being studied in all of the existing classes. Researchers are also trying to develop new
types of drugs, such as drugs that will block other steps in the HIV life cycle, and drugs that will
strengthen the bodys immune defenses.
34 googleplus0
MANILA, Philippines - Over 10,000 people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are getting free antiretroviral therapy (ART) from the government.
Data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed that a total of 10,207 people nationwide are undergoing
ART in 22 treatment hubs nationwide.
Health officials noted that the number of those who are accessing free anti-retroviral drugs include both adult
and pediatric patients. Last month alone, a total of 415 people with HIV started taking ART.
According to the DOH, those who underwent ART but have died or stopped treatment for various reasons were
excluded from the list of beneficiaries.
Since January 1984 to May 2015, a total of 25,684 HIV cases have been reported in the country, with 1,214
deaths and 2,254 progressing into AIDS.
Health Secretary Janette Garin said yesterday that the government is still looking to enhance the delivery of
HIV services to the public in line with their Hi5 (High Impact Breakthrough Strategies) program.
Harmonious innovations for vulnerable populations, advocacy and intensified diagnostic treatment strategy
(HIV-AIDS) will be used to increase the number of those counseled, screened, and tested against HIV, Garin
said in a statement.
Garin stressed the need to enhance coordination with private sector health providers and hospitals to control
the spread of HIV and AIDS in the country.
Through the Hi5 program, the DOH hopes to reduce HIV/AIDS cases in the country by 40
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/07/06/1473818/doh-over-10000-hiv-patients-getting-free-treatment
HIV Treatment
Following an HIV Regimen: Steps to Take Before and After Starting HIV
Medicines
(Last updated 3/1/2016; last reviewed 3/1/2016)
Print
Key Points
Medication adherence means sticking firmly to an HIV regimentaking HIV medicines
every day and exactly as prescribed.
Medication adherence reduces the risk of drug resistance and treatment failure.
Before starting an HIV regimen, tell your health care provider about any issues that
can make adherence difficult, such as lack of health insurance or alcohol or drug
abuse.
After starting an HIV regimen, medication aids such as pill boxes, pill reminders, and
medication diaries can help to maintain long-term medication adherence.
HIV Treatment
When to Start Antiretroviral Therapy
(Last updated 2/24/2016; last reviewed 2/24/2016)
Print
Key Points
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the use of HIV medicines to treat HIV infection. ART is
recommended for everyone infected with HIV. ART helps people with HIV live
longer, healthier lives.
People with HIV should begin ART as soon as possible. In HIV-infected people with the
following conditions, its especially important to start ART right away:
pregnancy, AIDS, certain HIV-related illnesses and coinfections, and early HIV
infection. (Early HIV infection is the period up to 6 months after infection with HIV.)
Effective ART depends on medication adherencetaking HIV medicines every day
and exactly as prescribed. Before starting ART, its important to address any issues
that can make adherence difficult.
Pregnancy
AIDS
Certain HIV-related illnesses and coinfections
Early HIV infection
Pregnancy
All pregnant women with HIV should take HIV medicines to prevent mother-to-child
transmission of HIV. The HIV medicines will also protect the health of the pregnant woman.
In general, women who are already taking HIV medicines when they become pregnant
should continue taking HIV medicines throughout their pregnancies. If HIV infection is
diagnosed during pregnancy, the HIV-infected pregnant woman should consider starting ART
right away.
AIDS
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced stage of HIV infection.
People with AIDS should start ART immediately.
A diagnosis of AIDS is based on the following criteria:
A CD4 count less than 200 cells/mm3. A low CD4 count is a sign that HIV has severely
damaged theimmune system.
OR
The presence of an AIDS-defining condition. AIDS-defining conditions are infections
and cancers that are life-threatening in people with HIV. Certain forms of cervical
cancer and tuberculosis are examples of AIDS-defining conditions.
Latest innovations already allows HIV Testing at home using HIV test kit in the
Philippines. Treatment however, still remains largely underfunded and The Philippines is
one of the countries in the world with the lowest budget for HIV treatment hence, the
HIV affected individuals themselves are the most affected with financial burden of
having the disease.
The cost of HIV Treatment in The Philippines
Government support is currently available at the Public Hospitals for people living with
HIV who need to undergo antiretroviral treatment or therapy (ART). And there is one
other treatment performed by experts and on to San Lazaro or RITM, But take note that
the practice privacy in terms of contactable disease such as HIV being the most
common will be divulged and youll be listed as a HIV positive.. But when you are
blessed with big bucks the only other 2 hospitals that possessed remarkable HIV
specialty ward is Makati Med and Medical City. be also aware that admitting to this
hospitals will definitely be costly , RITM will be far loftier in terms of cost and expertise
than Makati Med and Medical City. HIV treatment in The Philippines still uses the older
medication and not the newest recommended drug called Atripla.
Counting the cost
A person living with HIV will have to take medication throughout his lifetime. The initial
treatment costs the government at least P7,920 a year per PLHIV. The onset of health
complications means more medicines and a higher cost of at least P11,520 per
year.When making a budget based on the forecast of the annual increase in cases, the
health department adds a buffer or an extra allotment.
Not for all
Not everyone who tests positive for HIV undergoes antiretroviral therapy, based on the
recommendations of the World Health Organization. The main thrust in medication
which means physicians focus on boosting the patients immune system to fight off
infection while keeping the cost to a minimum. The side effects vary, depending on the
kind of drug. For Zidovudine and Lamivudine, these include diarrhea, nausea, dizziness,
headache and muscle pain or myopathy. If the patient requires further referral or
management, the team members will facilitate such referrals, he said. Laboratory
tests, whose costs are borne by the PLHIV, are conducted on a case-to-case basis. The
initial cost is less than P1,000, which includes a complete blood count, chest X-ray, and
liver and kidney profile. The results will form the basis for the ART. HIV treatment in The
http://hivtestkit.ph/hiv-treatment-in-the-philippines/