HIV treatment and its health benefits

Overview

HIV treatment refers to medications that can keep the virus under control and allow a person with HIV to live a long and full life. HIV treatment is very effective and often has few side effects. For many people, treatment consists of a daily pill.

Taking treatment has many benefits for the health of a person living with HIV. With ongoing treatment and care, people living with HIV can stay healthy (or return to health) and live a long, full life. HIV treatment prevents damage to the immune system, allowing it to stay strong (or rebuild if it has been damaged) and to fight off infections. HIV treatment also helps to lower the chance that people with HIV will develop other health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer. The earlier a person starts treatment, the better it is for their health.

HIV treatment works by limiting HIV’s ability to replicate and lowering the amount of virus in a person’s body. The amount of virus in a person’s blood is called the viral load. The goal of treatment is to get a person’s viral load to undetectable, meaning the level is so low that standard laboratory tests cannot detect the virus. For HIV treatment to work properly, it is very important that a person takes their medication consistently as prescribed by their doctor. This is called adherence. People with HIV need to have regular viral load testing to make sure their treatment is working.

People with HIV may benefit from a variety of supports to start treatment and remain engaged in care. This can include practical supports such as providing a referral to an HIV doctor and providing tips for remembering to take pills. It can also include helping people to address circumstances in their life that make it difficult or impossible to adhere to treatment. Examples of this type of assistance include providing or linking people to supports that can help address other health and social issues they are dealing with, such as mental health challenges, substance use disorders or housing instability. Providing referrals and linkage to other appropriate and relevant support services can help to improve a person’s health and well-being, as well as their ability to adhere to treatment and to become (or remain) engaged in care.

To learn more about the health benefits of HIV treatment, check out:

HIV Treatment – This fact sheet provides key messages about HIV treatment.

HIV viral load testing – This fact sheet details the process and technologies used for viral load testing.

Other helpful resources:

HIV Treatment  - This self-directed course provides in-depth information about HIV treatment.

Common HIV drugs available in Canada for adults – This reference poster for clients and service providers includes the most commonly used HIV drugs in Canada.

Managing Your Health – This comprehensive online resource includes information to help people with HIV to manage various aspects of their health.