HIV Treatment: When to Start, How It's Done & Medication List

HIV treatment is carried out with antiretroviral medications such as lamivudine, tenofovir, dolutegravir, and efavirenz. These drugs must be taken exactly as prescribed by a doctor and should be started as soon as HIV is confirmed. When followed correctly, treatment prevents the virus from multiplying and helps the immune system recover.

While HIV has no cure, treatment can reduce the impact of the infection and prevent complications. Care should always be guided by an infectious disease doctor, who can prescribe the most appropriate medications for each case.

When to start HIV treatment

HIV treatment should begin immediately after diagnosis, which is confirmed through specific blood tests. Starting treatment early helps prevent disease progression and lowers the risk of complications.

Treatment should also begin as soon as possible in:

• Pregnant women

• People with CD4 T cell counts below 350/mm³

• People with co-infections such as hepatitis B or tuberculosis

Even in more advanced stages, starting antiretroviral therapy can help control HIV and reduce the severity of opportunistic infections such as fungal pneumonia, tuberculosis, and esophageal candidiasis, which often occur due to immune system weakness.

How HIV treatment is done

HIV treatment is based on a combination of antiretroviral medications such as lamivudine, tenofovir, and dolutegravir. These drugs stop the virus from multiplying and protect the immune system from further damage.

Maintaining a healthy diet is also important, as it strengthens immunity, helps prevent chronic diseases, and can reduce the side effects of antiretroviral therapy.

During treatment, HIV testing is performed regularly to monitor viral load and assess how well the body is responding to therapy. These tests are usually done at least three times a year.

When taken correctly, HIV treatment lowers the risk of developing conditions linked to AIDS, such as tuberculosis, cryptosporidiosis, aspergillosis, skin disorders, and heart problems.

Medications for HIV

The main medications used in HIV treatment include:

• Lamivudine

• Tenofovir

• Dolutegravir

• Efavirenz

• Ritonavir

• Nevirapine

• Zidovudine

• Raltegravir

These antiretrovirals work at different stages of the virus’s life cycle. Doctors typically prescribe a combination of drugs, chosen according to viral load, overall health, and potential side effects.

It is essential to follow the prescribed treatment and continue taking the medications even when viral load becomes undetectable. Stopping therapy can lead to drug resistance and allow the virus to multiply again.

Main side effects

The most common side effects of HIV treatment medications include:

• Nausea and vomiting

• General discomfort

• Loss of appetite

• Headaches, abdominal pain, or joint pain

• Diarrhea

• Skin redness or itching

• Loss of body fat

These effects are more common at the beginning of treatment and usually improve over time. If they occur, the doctor may adjust the dose or switch medications to reduce their intensity.

Follow-up with the doctor

One week after starting HIV treatment, a follow-up visit is needed to check how the body is responding to the medication. After this initial visit, appointments are usually scheduled once a month.

When the virus is well controlled, medical checkups are typically required every six months, with lab tests performed twice a year or once a year depending on overall health.