AIDS-related complex - ARC; Chronic symptomatic HIV infection

Medications can successfully treat many of the symptoms of early symptomatic HIV infection.

Antiretroviral therapy slows the growth of the HIV virus in the body. A combination of several antiretroviral medications, termed highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), work well in reducing the number of HIV particles in the bloodstream, and as a result, increasing the CD4 count.

Although people taking HAART have suppressed levels of HIV, they can still spread the virus to others through sex or sharing needles. HAART is not a cure for HIV, but the treatment slows disease progression and usually strengthens the immune system.

For more information and resources, see AIDS support group.

There is no cure for HIV infection or AIDS. However, antiretroviral therapy and HAART can dramatically improve the length and quality of life for people infected with HIV, and can delay the onset of AIDS. The treatments for conditions that occur with early symptomatic HIV disease vary in effectiveness. Some infections and disease processes are easier than others to treat with medications.

Advanced HIV disease (AIDS) can develop, in which opportunistic infections and cancers (malignancies) can occur.

People infected with HIV can spread the disease to other people. Pregnant women can transmit HIV to their unborn baby.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of chronic symptomatic HIV infection.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have chronic symptomatic HIV infection and develop new symptoms.

Images

Mycobacterium marinum infection on the hand

Molluscum contagiosum on the face

Herpes zoster (shingles), disseminated

Molluscum on the chest

Primary HIV infection

Oral thrush

Dermatitis, seborrheic on the face

Dermatitis, seborrheic - close-up

Canker sore (aphthous ulcer)

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Early symptomatic HIV infection Symptoms

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Early symptomatic HIV infection Prevention

Review Date: 12/01/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)