1.6. What treatment is available?

* Many years may pass between becoming HIV positive and actually developing AIDS.
* AIDS can be treated. As HIV progresses and the immune system weakens, you may get opportunistic infections (OIs). All clinics offer treatments for opportunistic infections.
* Antiretroviral (ARV) therapy can also help you to live a longer, healthier life. ARVs are a lifelong treatment but not a cure for AIDS. Most people with HIV only need to take ARVs after many years.
* In the meantime you should ask for regular CD4 and viral load tests to monitor the progression of HIV in your body. This will tell you how healthy your immune system is and the level of HIV in your body.
* Guidelines have been developed in South Africa to help doctors, nurses, healthworkers and you decide if and when to start with antiretroviral treatment, usually if your CD4 count is near or below 200. There are many different HIV drugs and the Guidelines recommend what ARV combinations to start with.
For more information about ARVs, see 6. Treatment of HIV with ARVs


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