The truth about treatment

	Question: Where do you get most of your information on HIV?   My healthcare provider AIDS Service Organization (ASO) Newspaper/ magazine articles Web sites Friends/family

 

You may know a lot about HIV treatment, or you may be just learning about it. There is a lot of information out there about HIV treatment. Some of it is true, but some of it is false. Here are some questions and answers that can help you know what is true about HIV treatment and what is not.

Click on a question below to get an explanation of the answer.

Is it better to wait until I get sick to start taking HIV medicine? NO. HIV slowly destroys your immune system. If you wait until you get sick, your immune system may not be able to recover. Most healthcare providers think you should start HIV medicine long before you feel sick. Click to close.

Will I have to take a lot of pills each day and worry about when and what I eat? MAYBE. This depends on the medicines you take. With some new combinations, you may need to take only 1 or 2 pills each day. And there are often no rules about food. Click to close.

If the medicines in your first combination stop working, does that mean other medicines won't work either? NO. As long as you take your medicines the right way every day, your first combination of medicines will likely work well to control the virus. But if that combination stops working over time, there are other choices. Click to close.

Do all HIV medicines make you feel sick and worse than you felt before you started? NO. Many people start feeling better when they begin HIV medicines. Some people do not feel any medicine side effects. Other people do. Many common side effects go away after a few weeks. There are a number of things you can do to deal with side effects. Get tips for coping now. If side effects are really bad, talk with your healthcare provider. He or she can help. Click to close.

Does everyone taking HIV medicines get body changes, such as shrunken faces or "buffalo humps" on the back of their necks? NO. Most people do not have these kinds of body changes. When faces, arms, and legs shrink, it is called wasting. Wasting can also happen to people with HIV who are not taking medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are worried about these problems. Click to close.

Can natural, herbal remedies alone control HIV and help your immune system? NO. To control the virus, you must take your HIV medicines. But there are herbs and vitamins you can take along with your HIV medicine. Just be sure to let your healthcare provider know which ones you want to take. There are some that can affect how your HIV medicines work. Click to close.

If I don't have a lot of money or health insurance, can I still get the HIV medicines I need? YES. The cost of treating HIV medication can be high, but you can get help. From insurance programs to public assistance, there are ways to get help paying for your medicines. Click to close.

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