ZIP Code:
 
Distance:
ZIP Code:
 
Distance:
Learn the basics of HIV
Find ways to cope with your diagnosis
Working closely with your healthcare provider
Know the facts in your community

Starting HIV Treatment

Man and Woman Take the next step!

Work closely with your doctor to create a plan to manage your HIV. This may include starting HIV meds. HIV meds can help lower your viral load, raise your CD4 (T-cell) count, and give you a better chance to live longer with HIV. Also, when started early in the disease, HIV meds can slow down HIV from advancing into AIDS. It is important to your long-term health that you don't wait until you are too sick or when your CD4 (T-cell) count is too low.

Remember, you may have HIV, but don't let HIV have you! Think about what's most important to you in your life. Maybe it's the chance to explore your passions or to try new things. Imagine what's possible!

Be ready to start treatment

HIV meds can help those living with HIV live longer lives. But starting treatment is a big decision. In order to get the most benefit from your meds, it requires a commitment to take them every day. If you do not take your meds every day as prescribed, the HIV virus may multiply in your body and become resistant to your meds. You should also know that HIV drugs can cause side effects. Discuss the possible side effects with your doctor.

Talking to your doctor and getting the right information on HIV treatment can help take you from feeling hopeless to feeling hopeful.

Learn More

When to start — HIV treatment guidelines

Your healthcare provider may use the guidelines put out by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in advising you when to start treatment. The Department of Health and Human Services is a U.S. government healthcare agency.

The DHHS makes recommendations on how to treat HIV based on advice from a group of HIV experts called the DHHS Panel on Antiretroviral Guidelines for Adults and Adolescents. This panel includes some people who treat HIV, members of HIV organizations and public health experts.

These guidelines change as more is learned about the treatment of HIV and when new meds are available. It used to be recommended that people start HIV treatment at a CD4 (T-cell) count of 350 cells/mm3. Times have changed!

New Updates

On December 1, 2009, the DHHS updated their guidelines for starting HIV medicines. The recommendations include starting medicines at a CD4+ count of 500 cells/mm3 or less.

The latest recommendations for HIV+ patients are:

Currents DHHS Guidelines

The updated DHHS guidelines also recommend starting HIV medicines regardless of CD4 count in the following cases:

  • When there is a history of an AIDS-defining illness
  • In women who are pregnant
  • In patients with kidney disease (associated with HIV)
  • In patients who are also being treated for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection

You and your doctor should review your CD4 count and viral load numbers. Then you can discuss all of the choices and issues related to starting treatment. If you decide with your healthcare provider to start HIV meds, they can help determine which treatment regimen is best for you.

Choosing a treatment regimen with your healthcare provider

You will need to work with your doctor to decide which HIV meds to use. Share how you feel about taking HIV meds. Some people prefer to take pills once-a-day with as few pills as possible. Some people have restrictions around the time of day they can take their medications.

Your healthcare provider should know about all the medicines you are taking, even non-prescription ones. Important things for your healthcare provider to think about include:

  • Number of pills
  • How often pills must be taken
  • If pills can be taken with or without food
  • How the meds interact with each other
  • Other medicines you take
  • Other conditions or diseases you have
  • If you are pregnant
  • Results of your drug resistance tests

Considering HIV treatment earlier may improve your chances of living a healthier life. Starting HIV medicines when your T-cell count is at or below 500 is one factor to consider, because it may preserve your immune system and possibly avoid some long-term complications. Take the time to learn about treatments and work with your doctor to decide which treatment plan will work best for you and your lifestyle.

You can also download and complete a helpful New Patient Questionnaire and take it to your healthcare provider to help them create a treatment plan just for you.

Next: Know the Facts in Your Community