How HIV treatment works
HIV treatment does not cure HIV, but it stops the virus from reproducing in the body. It can reduce the amount of virus in the blood to undetectable levels, meaning that HIV cannot pass on.
Treatment with anti-HIV drugs is sometimes called combination therapy because people usually take two or three different drugs at the same time – often combined into one tablet.
More recently, injectable treatment has been developed, this is given to people by a healthcare professional by two injections every two months.
Why HIV treatment is important to people with HIV
HIV treatment enables people to keep their HIV under control, meaning they can focus on living well, and without fear of passing on HIV.
People with HIV often describe feeling empowered by taking their treatment.
People with HIV will be used to taking their medication at a set time, and in a particular way. They might take it before bed, so they sleep through potential side effects, or with their evening meal if their treatment needs to be taken with food to work effectively.
How HIV treatment is prescribed and taken
All pill-based HIV treatments must be taken every day, and at the same time. Some older medications are taken twice a day.
HIV medications are prescribed by HIV doctors, pharmacists and HIV specialist nurses in hospitals. People with HIV collect their medication from hospital pharmacies, or have it delivered to their home. GPs do not prescribe HIV medication, but are usually made aware it is being taken.
Injectable treatment is a new way of giving people HIV medications, and only a small number of people are currently receiving injectable HIV treatment. They are only delivered by nurses or healthcare professionals, and are given to people every two months.
Self-administered medicines in care homes
As outlined in NICE and CQC guidance, people with HIV should be supported to take their own medication when in a care home.
Side effects
Not everyone experiences side effects from HIV treatment, and if they do occur they’re generally mild, easy to treat and usually go away quickly.
Common side effects include:
- diarrhoea
- nausea or vomiting
- headache
- tiredness
- rash.
An HIV doctor can select a combination of drugs with the specific intent to avoid or minimise the risk of certain side effects.
People living with long-term diagnosed HIV may be living with health difficulties and other conditions made worse by early HIV treatments. Some anti-HIV drugs in the late 1980s and early 1990s made people sick, or had a long-term impact on their health.
People with HIV should be asked about any side effects, and health issues connected to their HIV status during their care assessment.