HIV/AIDS

HIV

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Treatment

At this time, there is no cure for AIDS, but medications are effective in fighting HIV and its complications. Treatments are designed to reduce HIV in your body, keep your immune system as healthy as possible and decrease the complications you may develop.

You and your doctor will work together to develop a treatment plan that best meets your needs. Three main factors will be considered when designing your treatment plan:

• Your willingness and readiness to begin therapy
• The stage of your disease
• Other health problems

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a number of drugs for treating HIV and AIDS. See our patient education information on AIDS medications and their side effects.

It's important that you take your medications exactly as prescribed. This is crucial to your treatment success. Our program offers pharmacy services to help you maintain your drug regimen and to answer any questions you may have.

Most medications have side effects, which your doctor will discuss with you. Individuals respond differently to medications and side effects may vary. Positive Health Practice doctors, nurses and pharmacists can help you manage these side effects.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007