Introduction
Thanks to ongoing improvements in HIV treatment, the future for people living with HIV is better than ever. Problems that were common with the earlier treatments have been eliminated or, at least, minimized. What’s more, people who use HIV treatment (antiretroviral therapy, or ART) can have long, healthy lives. This is a tremendous achievement.
HIV treatment is highly effective at suppressing HIV, leading to an undetectable viral load among the vast majority of people. However, small amounts of HIV continue to be produced deep inside the body, in parts of the immune system such as the spleen and lymph nodes, in fatty tissue, in the testicles and in the brain, kidneys and lungs.
This small but chronic burden of HIV can cause excess levels of inflammation and activation of the immune system. The sustained presence of inflammation and immune activation likely contribute to some of the health issues that people living with HIV face. For instance, excess chronic immune activation and inflammation likely contribute to a range of issues, including:
- bone thinning
- cardiovascular disease
- depression
- diabetes
- kidney injury
- stroke
- weight gain
The cause of health problems experienced by some people living with HIV are not always clear right away. The causes are usually more obvious for acute (sudden) and urgent health issues. We hope to help you understand more about the various types of drug side effects: what each drug side effect looks or feels like, what could be causing it and how the side effect can be managed. Some of the treatments suggested may need to be accessed through your healthcare provider. This guide also includes over-the-counter remedies and things you can do to help yourself.
There are a number of healthy living practices that lay the foundation for living well with HIV, regardless of the treatments you take or the side effects they can cause. A trusting and honest relationship with your healthcare provider is very important for your overall health. Together with your healthcare provider, you will make decisions about HIV treatment that is right for you.
Antiretroviral therapy (commonly called ART) helps to slow the body’s production of HIV. ART is responsible for changing HIV from a disease that was once fatal to a chronic, manageable illness. If your healthcare provider prescribes antiretroviral drugs, be sure to take the medications exactly as directed every day. Missing doses increases the possibility that the drugs will not be able to control HIV, as the virus may have become resistant to one or more of the drugs in the medication.
Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet consisting of lean proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables provides your body with the nutrients it needs to function best. Consider supplementing your diet with vitamins and other nutrients.
Regular exercise boosts your metabolism, burns calories, builds muscle, helps to control appetite and contributes to an overall feeling of wellness. Regular exercise helps to burn fat and helps you sleep better. Getting a good night’s sleep helps your body to regenerate and heal. Finally, reducing stress through positive social interactions, calming techniques like meditation or deep breathing, counselling, or participating in enjoyable activities will ensure that you have a healthy mind and a healthy body.
Information about HIV drugs and their side effects is constantly changing as research provides new information. However, many of the underlying issues — the types of side effects, how they look and feel, what can cause them and how to describe them to your healthcare provider — remain largely the same. For the most up-to-date research on specific drugs and their side effects, refer to CATIE News and TreatmentUpdate, two publications that provide timely reporting on the latest developments in HIV treatment, health and HIV research-related issues.