Do you know why taking HIV drugs is important?

HIV drugs, also called antiretroviral therapy (ART), are medicines that help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives and reduce the risk of HIV transmission.?

ART works by preventing HIV from multiplying in the body, which lowers the amount of HIV (called the viral load) and boosts the immune system.?

This means that people with HIV who take ART can fight off infections and cancers better and have effectively no risk of passing HIV to their partners through sex.?

But there's a catch: you have to take ART every day and exactly as prescribed; otherwise, the virus can become resistant to the drugs and make them less effective.?

And yes, sometimes ART can cause side effects, like nausea, headache, fatigue, or rash.?But don't worry; most side effects are manageable and go away over time. And if they don't, you can always talk to your healthcare provider about changing your HIV treatment regimen.?

Remember, the benefits of ART far outweigh the risks of side effects. So don't delay; start taking HIV drugs as soon as possible after an HIV diagnosis.?

You deserve to live a long and happy life with HIV. And ART can help you do that.?#hiv #antiretroviral #ART #hjfmri #pepfar #unaids #hiveducation