Chronic symptomatic HIV infection
Alternative names:
middle stage HIV disease, AIDS-related complex (ARC), chronic
symptomatic HIV infection
Treatment:
Many of the symptoms of early symptomatic HIV infection
can be successfully treated with medications. More importantly,
the treatment of the HIV infection will prevent the onset
of many of these conditions. Antiviral therapy suppresses
the replication of the HIV
infection in the body. A combination of several antiretroviral
agents, termed Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART)
has been highly effective in reducing the number of HIV particles
in the blood stream, and as a result, increasing the CD4 count.
However, although people on HAART have suppressed levels of
HIV, they can still transmit the virus to others through sex
or needle sharing. HAART is not a cure for HIV, but the treatment
shows promise.
Support groups:
The stress of illness
can often be helped by joining a support
group where members share common experiences and problems.
See AIDS - support group.
Expectations (prognosis):
There is no cure for HIV infection or AIDS. However, the
advent of anti-retroviral therapy and HAART can dramatically
improve the length and quality of life for people infected
with HIV, and can delay the onset of AIDS. Treatments of conditions
associated with early symptomatic HIV disease are variably
effective, with some infections and disease processes being
more readily treatable with medications.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: How long does it take for HIV to cause AIDS?
A: About half the people with HIV develop AIDS within 10
years after becoming infected. This time varies greatly from
person to person and can depend on many factors. Today medical
treatments can slow the rate at which HIV weakens the immune
system, thus preventing the onset of AIDS.
Q: How can I tell if I am infected with HIV?
A: The only way to determine for sure whether you are infected
is to be tested for HIV infection. You cannot rely on symptoms
to know whether or not you are infected with HIV. Many people
who are infected with HIV do not have any symptoms at all
for many years.
Q: How good is the current treatment for HIV infection?
A: The current treatment for HIV infection, termed HAART
or highly active anti-retroviral therapy is very good. It
suppresses the amount of HIV in the blood, allowing the immune
system to recover. Mortality from AIDS has dropped since the
introduction of HAART. This treatment, however, is not a cure.
Several patients become resistant to the benefits of HAART,
and require 'rescue' or 'salvage' therapy in an attempt to
continue to suppress HIV in the blood. Why some patients become
resistant is unclear, but it may have to do with the strain
of the virus in the blood and how compliant the patient was
with taking his/her medication.
Calling your health care provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if
symptoms of chronic symptomatic HIV infection are present.
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if
you have chronic symptomatic HIV infection and you develop
new symptoms.
Update Date: 04/01/00
Updated By: Luis A. Diaz, Jr. M.D., Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, VeriMed
Health Network
|
