Lecture Notes: Understanding HIV Treatment and Prevention

Overview of HIV Treatment

• Current Status:
  • No cure for HIV yet.
  • Medications available: Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).
  • ART is a combination of different drugs.

Mechanism of ART

• Function of ART:
  • Prevents viral genetic material from entering the nucleus of helper T lymphocytes.
  • Keeps the virus in a latent, inactive phase.
• Benefits of ART:
  • Protects helper T lymphocytes from destruction.
  • Prevents progression to AIDS by maintaining immune system strength.
  • Reduces viral load, increasing concentration of helper lymphocytes.

Limitations of ART

• Daily Regimen Required:
  • Must be taken consistently at the same time every day.
• Challenges:
  • Time-sensitive medication schedule.
  • Access to medication can be difficult.
  • Apps are available to remind patients to take medications on time.

HIV Prevention Methods

Modes of HIV Transmission

1. Blood-Related Transmission:

   • Contaminated blood transfusion or shared needles.
   • Prevention Measures:
     • Blood testing for HIV and other diseases.
     • Needle exchange programs to provide clean needles to IV drug users.

2. Sexual Transmission:

   • Through contaminated semen or vaginal fluid during unprotected sex.
   • Prevention Measures:
     • Use of condoms, dental dams, and femidoms.
     • Contact tracing to inform partners of their exposure.

3. Mother-to-Child Transmission:

   • Via breastfeeding or placenta.
   • Prevention Measures:
     • ART reduces viral load, lowering transmission risk to nearly 0% during pregnancy.

Importance of ART in Prevention

• ART significantly lowers viral load to undetectable levels.
• Impact on Transmission:
  • Reduces the risk of sexual transmission to 0%, even with unprotected sex.

Challenges in HIV Eradication

• ART is not a cure:
  • Interrupting treatment increases viral load.
  • ART has side effects impacting kidneys and liver.
• Social and Economic Barriers:
  • Stigma and fear of testing.
  • Potential job loss due to HIV diagnosis.
  • Condoms and barriers not 100% effective.
  • Initial symptoms of HIV are often mild or absent.
  • ART can be financially burdensome.
• Societal Attitudes:
  • Need to move from stigma to treatment and prevention focus.

Conclusion

• ART is crucial in managing HIV and preventing its transmission.
• Societal understanding and access to ART can help reduce HIV spread.
• Importance of supportive policies over punitive measures to promote health and safety.