How is HIV infection treated?

Antiretroviral treatment uses medicines that target HIV at different stages of its life cycle. Taking the prescribed combination consistently lowers the amount of virus and allows the immune system to recover or remain stronger. A clinician chooses treatment after an HIV Test and considers other medicines, pregnancy, kidney or liver health, and any resistance information. Fatigue, night sweats, swollen glands, frequent infections, or unintentional weight loss need assessment, but symptoms alone cannot diagnose HIV.

Take treatment at the agreed time and keep refills and monitoring appointments. Tell the clinic about side effects, missed doses, supplements, and medicines for other conditions. Do not stop treatment suddenly without medical advice. Use condoms or other barrier protection until your care team explains your prevention plan, and consider STI Screening. Ask about vaccines, mental health support, nutrition, and screening for infections such as Tuberculosis when appropriate.

Contact the HIV care team promptly for a serious rash, breathing difficulty, facial swelling, severe vomiting, or symptoms after starting a new medicine. Seek urgent help for confusion, collapse, severe dehydration, or rapidly worsening illness. New persistent fever, night sweats, weight loss, swollen glands, or frequent infections should be reviewed because they can signal an infection or another condition needing treatment.

Ask which HIV Test confirms the diagnosis, which treatment combination is recommended, how monitoring will work, and what to do after a missed dose. Discuss side effects, medicine interactions, STI Screening, vaccination, confidentiality, and how treatment affects sexual transmission risk.