How Do You Know If You Need PEP?

Recent High-Risk Exposure: The most common situation in which PEP is recommended is after recent high-risk exposure to HIV. High-risk activities include unprotected sexual intercourse with a partner whose HIV status is unknown or positive, sharing needles or drug equipment, and occupational exposure (e.g., healthcare workers accidentally exposed to contaminated blood).

Timing is Critical: PEP should ideally be initiated as soon as possible after potential exposure, preferably within 72 hours (3 days) but certainly within 36 hours for the best effectiveness. The sooner you start PEP, the more likely it is to prevent HIV infection.

Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Individuals Living with HIV

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to the global healthcare system, affecting millions of lives across the world. Among those particularly vulnerable to the virus are individuals living with HIV. This article aims to shed light on how COVID-19 affects people with HIV, exploring the unique concerns, precautions, and support that this population requires.

Opportunistic Infections in HIV Infected Patients

Opportunistic infections are diseases caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, which usually do not harm individuals with a healthy immune system. However, in people living with HIV/AIDS, a compromised immune system makes them susceptible to these infections. Common opportunistic infections include Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), tuberculosis, candidiasis, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection.

Managing HIV During Pregnancy: Essential Information for Expectant Mothers

Pregnancy is a unique and transformative journey for any woman. However, when an expectant mother is also living with HIV, there are additional considerations and precautions that must be taken to ensure a healthy pregnancy and protect both the mother and her unborn child. In this article, we’ll discuss crucial information about managing HIV during pregnancy and how proper care can significantly reduce the risk of transmission to the baby.

ARV Medications: A Guide to HIV Treatment

In the battle against HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), Antiretroviral (ARV) medications have played a pivotal role in extending and improving the lives of those affected by this virus. ARV therapy has transformed HIV from a once-deadly disease into a manageable chronic condition. In this article, we will delve into the world of ARV medications, exploring what they are, how they work, and their crucial role in HIV treatment.

Understanding the Complications of HIV/AIDS

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a global health challenge that affects millions of people around the world. While significant progress has been made in the prevention and treatment of HIV, it remains a serious and complex condition. One aspect that makes HIV particularly challenging is the wide range of complications it can lead to. In this article, we will explore some of the most common complications of HIV/AIDS, shedding light on the importance of early detection and comprehensive medical care.

What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) are often used interchangeably, but they represent two distinct stages of a complex disease process. To fully comprehend this crucial distinction, it’s essential to explore both HIV and AIDS separately and understand how they relate to one another. In this article, we will delve into the differences between HIV and AIDS, shedding light on their unique characteristics, transmission, symptoms, and progression.

Descovy : Uses, Benefits, and Key Information for HIV Prevention

Descovy is a prescription medication that belongs to a class of drugs called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). It is primarily used for two main purposes:

HIV Prevention: Descovy is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication for individuals at high risk of contracting HIV. PrEP involves taking Descovy daily to reduce the risk of HIV infection.

HIV Treatment: Descovy is also used in combination with other antiretroviral medications as part of a comprehensive HIV treatment regimen. It helps lower the viral load in individuals living with HIV, ultimately slowing the progression of the disease.

Biktarvy : A Revolutionary HIV Treatment

Biktarvy is a single-tablet regimen, which means it combines three different drugs into one easy-to-take pill. These drugs are:

Bictegravir: This drug is an integrase strand transfer inhibitor that blocks HIV replication by preventing the virus from integrating into the DNA of healthy cells.

Emtricitabine: An NRTI (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor), emtricitabine interferes with the virus’s ability to replicate by inhibiting reverse transcriptase, an enzyme needed for viral replication.

Tenofovir alafenamide: Another NRTI, tenofovir alafenamide works similarly to emtricitabine, disrupting the HIV replication process.