Do the drugs really work?

In every country that uses ARVs there has been a dramatic drop in HIV-related deaths and illnesses.

Treatment works for women, men and children. It works no matter how you were infected. Whether this was sexually, through IV drug use, at birth, or by blood or blood products.

Taking HIV drugs, exactly as prescribed, will reduce the virus in your body to tiny amounts — but it does not get rid of the virus.

I was caught by treatment in 1996, just in time. I did not think that it would make  a difference. Now that I understand how the drugs work, I know that they are active, whether I “believe” in them or not.

Ask questions about anything you don’t understand. You can then take responsibility for whatever you decide.

Look at treatment as something you have to be really committed to for the next few years. Take this new aspect of your life more seriously than anything else until you get it right.

— Simon, London