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Understanding HIV Therapy
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Knowing how HIV therapy works is important and can help you understand the need to take your medications as prescribed.
The goal of anti-HIV drugs is to help stop HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) from reproducing. HIV is a virus that attacks your immune system, which is made up of millions of cells that help fight against infection and disease. One of the most important of these infection-fighting cells is called the CD4 cell or "T cell."
Once HIV enters the body, the virus infects CD4 cells and multiplies (replicates) inside these cells. These new viruses are released into the blood and go on to infect other CD4 cells. As CD4 cells are attacked and destroyed by HIV, the immune system becomes less able to fight infection and disease.
Anti-HIV drugs work by helping to stop or "inhibit" certain steps during the HIV replication process. When used in combination, anti-HIV therapies can reduce the amount of HIV in the blood (viral load).
Patients should read the Patient Information, including "What is the most important information I should know about Truvada?". It is important that you discuss your treatment options and any questions that you may have with your healthcare provider.
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