Treatment for HIV and Aids to become a reality.Government's decision to provide antiretroviral antiretroviral /an·ti·ret·ro·vi·ral/ (-ret´ro-vi?ral) effective against retroviruses, or an agent with this quality. an·ti·ret·ro·vi·ral adj. therapy in the public health care system should be applauded, because unlike its South African counterpart it is living up to the constitutionally enshrined rights to life and health. Now more Namibians living with HIV HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), either of two closely related retroviruses that invade T-helper lymphocytes and are responsible for AIDS. There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is responsible for the vast majority of AIDS in the United States. and Aids stand a chance at enjoying longer and more productive lives, while the impact of the disease on our society and economy will be minimised. ********** In May this year the Ministry of Health and Social Services social services Noun, pl welfare services provided by local authorities or a state agency for people with particular social needs social services npl → servicios mpl sociales launched Guidelines for Anti-Retroviral Therapy, which are set standards to be applied by health providers when prescribing anti-retroviral drugs. The first phase of the provision of these drugs, however, only covers the six regions of Khomas, Karas Karas may refer to:
What treatments are there for HIV and Aids? Nevirapine nevirapine /ne·vir·a·pine/ (ne-vir´ah-pen) a nonnucleoside inhibitor of HIV-1reverse transcriptase, used in combination with other antiretroviral agents in the treatment of HIV infection. is the medication used to prevent the transmission of HIV from mothers to their babies during birth. Post-exposure prophylaxis Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is any prophylactic treatment started immediately after exposure to a disease (such as a disease-causing virus), in order to prevent the disease from breaking out. (PEP) is provided to prevent the infection of health care workers through accidental contact with blood from infected patients, and for the protection of rape survivors from infection through the rapist. Highly active anti-retroviral treatment (HAART HAART highly active antiretroviral therapy. HAART Highly active antiretroviral therapy, triple combination therapy AIDS The concurrent administration of 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors–eg, AZT and 3TC, and a protease ), which is generally a combination of three drugs, is given to people with advanced HIV infection. HAART does not cure Aids, but slows down the progression of the disease by restoring the body's ability to fight off opportunistic infections Opportunistic infections Infections that cause a disease only when the host's immune system is impaired. The classic opportunistic infection never leads to disease in the normal host. . Thanks to this treatment, HIV/Aids is now a manageable disease like diabetes and hypertension. The treatment only begins when a person infected with HIV has developed Aids. An infected person can live well for many years without needing the treatment, by taking good care of themselves and eating a well-balanced diet. When the time comes Adv. 1. when the time comes - at the appropriate time; "we'll get to this question in due course" in due course, in due season, in due time, in good time for a patient to begin taking the anti-retroviral treatment, they must take this medication regularly every day for life. Stopping the treatment when one feels better can lead to treatment failure, while the virus can build a resistance to anti-retroviral drugs. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Who will receive HAART? Before receiving HAART, patients will be counselled and prepared for a life-long commitment to taking the medication. Each health centre that provides the treatment will have a committee responsible for reviewing the expected benefits and potential side effects Side effects Effects of a proposed project on other parts of the firm. of the treatment chosen, the possibility of drug interaction in case the patient uses oral contraceptives Oral Contraceptives Definition Oral contraceptives are medicines taken by mouth to help prevent pregnancy. They are also known as the Pill, OCs, or birth control pills. , and the partnership between the patient and caregiver. Just as important will be the committee's review of whether the patient can commit to maintaining safer sex practices for the rest of their lives to prevent HIV transmission. Practising safe sex is critical for people taking the medication because they can transmit a mutated virus resistant to anti-retroviral drugs. The committee can decide to delay treatment if the patient is not able or willing to fully commit to following the therapy. Continued monitoring and ongoing patient education and support is essential once a patient is on therapy. This includes educating family and friends who will support the patient in taking the medication without fail every day. Apart from receiving HAART, patients should also receive treatment for opportunistic infections and HIV related illnesses. The guidelines further state that in case of treatment failure there should be appropriate care and support services support services Psychology Non-health care-related ancillary services–eg, transportation, financial aid, support groups, homemaker services, respite services, and other services . Persons who have medical aid cover will not be provided with HAART in the public health system. Over the past year, there were fewer cases of HIV infection in the age group 13 - 19, while the infection rate increased in all other age groups. HIV prevalence according to age groups in 2002 13 - 19 years 10.7% 20 - 24 years 22% 25 - 29 years 28% 30 - 34 years 27% 35 - 39 year 21% 40 - 44 years 16% 45 and older 12% (Source: National HIV Sentinel Survey 2002) |
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