Treatment for HIV means treating the whole body well.
Treatment
Medications AND a Healthy Lifestyle
We all know that a healthy lifestyle is important. For those living with HIV/AIDS, it’s vital. HIV can be a chronic, manageable disease, but living a healthy life with HIV means a commitment to making healthy choices every day.
If you take your HIV medications consistently, visit your primary healthcare provider regularly, and take care of your body, you can help to protect your immune system from HIV.
Medications and Therapies
The hallmark of HIV/AIDS treatment is medication called antiretroviral therapy (ART). There are a variety of ART medications designed to work directly on the virus and stop it from replicating itself in your body. Some of the most common are NRTIs and protease inhibitors.
If the medications are successful, the amount of HIV in your body goes down significantly, and your immune system can stay healthy. For more information, see NIH’s AIDS Medicines.
Healthy Living
Treatment for HIV/AIDS is holistic—meaning that it is more than just taking pills every day. While medications are essential for treating HIV, they are not the only important component of a healthy lifestyle. A well-balanced and nutritious diet, daily exercise, plenty of rest, and staying current with your medical care are all pieces of the healthy lifestyle “puzzle.” Each of these behaviors helps to boost your immune system and prevent other chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
For more information, see NIH’s HIV/AIDS Information: Nutrition and Exercise.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are no Frequently Asked Questions associated with this topic.
Fact Sheets and Print Materials
- The Body – What IS AIDS?
Additional Resources
There are no Additional Resources associated with this topic.
Guidelines
- AIDSinfo – Clinical Guidelines Portal for HIV Treatment
