Strategies for HIV therapy

April 2008    View PDF    En español

Most people living with HIV will start taking therapy at some point to help control their HIV infection. The goal of therapy is to slow or stop HIV from reproducing. This, in turn, helps to slow or stop the progression of HIV disease as well as the destruction of the immune system. While other ways of treating HIV disease have been studied, so far only HIV therapy has shown to slow disease progression and extend life.

While trying to understand and make decisions about using HIV therapy can be an overwhelming process, it isn’t insurmountable. With the support of your doctor and reliable information, it’s possible to devise a wise HIV strategy that suits your situation. This includes balancing the benefits, risks and limitations of the current HIV drugs along with the prospects offered by novel approaches and newer drugs.

This publication provides information on making these types of decisions. It offers a range of issues that you may encounter when deciding what’s necessary and important for your health. It’s intended to assist you and your doctor making the best possible decisions about using HIV therapy in adults and adolescents.