Question
Why is it so difficult to treat HIV?
9 January 2007. Related: All topics.
Answer
There are at least two reasons why HIV has been such a difficult medical challenge:
(1) It is a virus that expands and multiplies using the bodies immune system. The immune system works to tackle the virus, but the more it does this, the more HIV is able to replicate. Over time – usually many years – without treatment, the virus always comes out on top.
(2) The second challenge for HIV drugs and vaccines is that the virus has a very high turnover – billions of copies every day in a person who is not on treatment – and makes small errors or mutations which can lead to the easy development of drug resistance.
However, current treatments, if used properly, work very well, and can lead to long-term good health for many people, with few, if any, HIV-related complications.
Hi Jane,
There’s a lot of research going into finding a cure for HIV. Please see this Q&A here.
And the good news is that thousannds of people around the world are now living healthy lives. Life expectancy on HIV treatment (ART) can be similar to someone who is HIV negative.
While we wait for them to find a cure, here’s a guide to HIV, your quality of life and better long-term health.
Oh tanks a lot if no cure what should be done to save the life of people?
Hi Gidu,
Current HIV treatment (ART), if used properly works very well, and can lead to long-term good health for many people. This means that ART can dramatically reduce any signs of illness. That’s because the immune system on ART can function very well.
But after talking the drug, the patient continue to develop signs, why?
Thanx very informative
cheers bruv x
wonderful points thanks
Excellent Information for HIV and AIDS Experts in practice .
thank you very much
Very helpful, thanks!