DiagnosisHIV can be diagnosed through blood or saliva testing. Available tests include: Show
Talk to your health care provider about which HIV test is right for you. If any of these tests are negative, you may still need a follow-up test weeks to months later to confirm the results. Tests to stage disease and treatmentIf you've been diagnosed with HIV, it's important to find a specialist trained in diagnosing and treating HIV to help you:
If you receive a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS, several tests can help your health care provider determine the stage of your disease and the best treatment, including:
Tests for complicationsYour health care provider might also order lab tests to check for other infections or complications, including:
TreatmentCurrently, there's no cure for HIV/AIDS. Once you have the infection, your body can't get rid of it. However, there are many medications that can control HIV and prevent complications. These medications are called antiretroviral therapy (ART). Everyone diagnosed with HIV should be started on ART, regardless of their stage of infection or complications. ART is usually a combination of two or more medications from several different drug classes. This approach has the best chance of lowering the amount of HIV in the blood. There are many ART options that combine multiple HIV medications into one pill, taken once daily. Each class of drugs blocks the virus in different ways. Treatment involves combinations of drugs from different classes to:
Two drugs from one class, plus a third drug from a second class, are typically used. The classes of anti-HIV drugs include:
Starting and maintaining treatmentEveryone with HIV infection, regardless of the CD4 T cell count or symptoms, should be offered antiviral medication. Remaining on effective ART with an undetectable HIV viral load in the blood is the best way for you to stay healthy. For ART to be effective, it's important that you take the medications as prescribed, without missing or skipping any doses. Staying on ART with an undetectable viral load helps:
Staying on HIV therapy can be challenging. It's important to talk to your health care provider about possible side effects, difficulty taking medications, and any mental health or substance use issues that may make it difficult for you to maintain ART. Having regular follow-up appointments with your health care provider to monitor your health and response to treatment is also important. Let your provider know right away if you're having problems with HIV therapy so that you can work together to find ways to address those challenges. Treatment side effectsTreatment side effects can include:
Treatment for age-related diseasesSome health issues that are a natural part of aging may be more difficult to manage if you have HIV. Some medications that are common for age-related heart, bone or metabolic conditions, for example, may not interact well with anti-HIV medications. It's important to talk to your health care provider about your other health conditions and the medications you're taking. If you are started on medications by another health care provider, it's important to let the provider know about your HIV therapy. This will allow the provider to make sure there are no interactions between the medications. Treatment responseYour health care provider will monitor your viral load and CD4 T cell counts to determine your response to HIV treatment. These will be initially checked at 4 to 6 weeks, and then every 3 to 6 months. Treatment should lower your viral load so that it's undetectable in the blood. That doesn't mean your HIV is gone. Even if it can't be found in the blood, HIV is still present in other places in your body, such as in lymph nodes and internal organs. Clinical trialsExplore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. Lifestyle and home remediesAlong with receiving medical treatment, it's essential to take an active role in your own care. The following suggestions may help you stay healthy longer:
Alternative medicinePeople who are infected with HIV sometimes try dietary supplements that claim to boost the immune system or counteract side effects of anti-HIV drugs. However, there is no scientific evidence that any nutritional supplement improves immunity, and many may interfere with other medications you're taking. Always check with your health care provider before taking any supplements or alternative therapies to ensure there are no medication interactions. Supplements that may be helpfulThere's little evidence on the effectiveness and benefits of supplements for HIV. Some examples with limited research include:
Supplements that may be dangerous
Mind-body practicesPractices such as yoga, meditation and massage have been shown to reduce stress, as well as provide relaxation and improve quality of life. While they need more study, these practices may be helpful if you're living with HIV/AIDS. Coping and supportReceiving a diagnosis of any life-threatening illness is devastating. The emotional, social and financial consequences of HIV/AIDS can make coping with this illness especially difficult — not only for you but also for those closest to you. But today, there are many services and resources available to people with HIV. Most HIV/AIDS clinics have social workers, counselors or nurses who can help you directly or put you in touch with people who can. Services they may provide:
It's important to have a support system. Many people with HIV/AIDS find that talking to someone who understands their disease provides comfort. Preparing for your appointmentIf you think you might have HIV infection, you're likely to start by seeing your family health care provider. You may be referred to an infectious disease specialist — who additionally specializes in treating HIV/AIDS. What you can doBefore your appointment, consider answering these questions and take them to your appointment:
What to expect from your doctorYour health care provider will ask you questions about your health and lifestyle and perform a complete physical exam, checking you for:
What you can do in the meantimeIf you think you might have HIV infection, take steps to protect yourself and others before your appointment. Don't have unprotected sex. If you use illicit injection drugs, always use a fresh, clean needle. Don't share needles with others. What are the lab values for HIV?The CD4 count of an adult/adolescent who is generally in good health ranges from 500 to 1,200 cells/mm3. In contrast, if a person has a CD4 count of fewer than 200/mm3, they are considered to have progressed to stage 3 (AIDS), the most advanced stage of HIV.
What laboratory test can confirm the diagnosis of HIV infection?Three types of HIV tests are available: Nucleic acid tests (NATs) — detects HIV ribonucleic acid (RNA) Antigen/antibody combination tests — detects HIV p24 antigen as well as HIV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. Antibody tests — detects HIV IgM and/or IgG antibodies.
What are the 2 major HIV tests?An initial HIV test usually will either be an antigen/antibody test or an antibody test. If the initial HIV test is a rapid or self-test and it is positive, the person should go to a health care provider to get follow-up testing.
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