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Treatments for AIDS

Authors:
  • Amy Scholten, MPH
Publication Type:

Condition InDepth

Treatments for AIDS

There are different ways to treat HIV. It depends on the person's health and how severe the infection is and the person's health. The goals of treatment are to:

  • Lower the amount of the virus in the body
  • Keep the immune system as healthy as possible
  • Prevent other infections and cancers

If the person has other infections or cancers, they will need to be treated as well.

HIV treatment includes:

Medications

Lifestyle changes

Other treatments

Alternative and complementary treatments

References

  • .HIV/AIDS clinical guidelines. Clinical Info.gov website. Available at: https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/guidelines. Accessed November 10, 2021.
  • HIV treatment. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/livingwithhiv/treatment.html. Accessed November 10, 2021.
  • Overview of HIV infection. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/overview-of-hiv-infection. Accessed November 10, 2021.
  • Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines 2021. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines. Accessed November 10, 2021.

Contributors

  • David L. Horn, MD, FACP
Last Updated:
2021-11-01

(C) Copyright 2022 EBSCO Information Services

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.