Antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection: promises and problems
Article Abstract:
Hopes of eradicating HIV from infected patients have been tempered by the fact that viral DNA can become integrated into the cell's DNA, where it is not affected by drugs. However, combination therapy with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and a protease inhibitor can reduce blood levels of the virus to undetectable levels and raise CD4 T cell levels. But the treatment is complicated and expensive and may not be affordable for most patients. Side effects are also common. Studies of non-progressors have shown that an HIV-specific CD4 T cell response can suppress the virus.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1998
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HIV treatment strategies: planning for the long term
Article Abstract:
Guidelines for choosing the most appropriate combination of AIDS drugs to treat HIV patients are included. Many studies have shown that two or three AIDS drugs given concurrently are more effective in suppressing viral reproduction than one. The drug combination most often includes two reverse transcriptase inhibitors and a protease inhibitor. As of 1998, there are 13 AIDS drugs that can be given in 1,716 different triple combinations. Consequently, the combination used will have to be individually tailored to each patient.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1998
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Treat HIV-1 Infection Like Other Infections-Treat It
Article Abstract:
Early and effective drug therapy in HIV infection is an important therapeutic protocol. Early treatment reduces the level of viral mutation and thus the risk of infection with drug-resistant viral strains. Treatment maintains immune function, which protects against the development of other infections, and may facilitate immune recovery. Early treatment may retain the ability of the immune system to respond, and therefore control, HIV infection.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1998
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