Treatment & Care

This is an introduction to HIV and AIDS, including how HIV is transmitted and detected, the history of the epidemic, definitions of disease stages, and alternative views on the cause of AIDS.

A description of how the immune system works, its response to HIV, and factors affecting disease progression.

Information on medical tests, including CD4 cell counts, viral load measurements, and procedures carried out for medical problems commonly experienced by HIV-positive people.

Information on the side-effects associated with anti-HIV treatments and other drugs, including advice on how to cope with them, and whether treatment should be stopped or changed.

Information on adherence to anti-HIV drugs, including advice on how patients can maintain adherence to their therapy and how healthcare providers can help.

Treatment options for pregnant women, including the prevention of mother-to-child transmission, as well as choices surrounding delivery and breast-feeding.

An outline of the issues surrounding anti-HIV therapy in children, highlighting the differences from adults in the course of HIV disease, the choice of medications, and when to start or switch therapy.

A summary of the UK and US antiretroviral treatment guidelines.

A description of licensed and investigational antiretroviral agents, as well as other drugs used for the treatment of opportunistic infections, side effects, and other illness that may be experienced by persons with HIV.

Information on the common symptoms experienced by people with HIV or AIDS, and details of opportunistic infections, drug side-effects and other illnesses.

Information on the symptoms commonly experienced by HIV-positive people, as a result of HIV infection or drug treatments, including their causes and what to do about them.

A list of medical tests and procedures for problems commonly encountered by HIV-positive people in the UK, detailing what they involve, and when and why they are used.