Although the various drugs against HIV and AIDS are all effective in their own right and slow down the multiplication of the HI virus, none of the drugs can completely prevent multiplication. This is because errors in the reproduction of the viruses can cause mutations that continue to multiply despite a particular drug.
If only one drug is taken, a mutated HIV virus can spread very quickly. When the majority of the viruses in the body are equipped with the altered blueprint, the drug is no longer effective. To prevent this, various AIDS drugs are usually combined. If a mutation then occurs that makes one drug no longer effective, the next one kicks in and prevents the mutation from spreading further.
Combination therapy can keep the number of HI viruses so low that most of them are no longer detectable in the body. The detection limit is 25 to 50 copies per milliliter of blood.
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-a combination therapy used to treat AIDS-was introduced in the mid-1990s. It remains the standard treatment for AIDS patients today. The therapy combines at least three different active agents.
In particular, two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are often combined with a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) or a protease inhibitor (PI). However, newer drugs such as entry or integrase inhibitors are now also included in therapy.
By means of close monitoring, the treating physician checks again and again whether the patient has developed resistance to a particular drug. If this is the case, a change of drug is made.
Individual therapy is important
To achieve the best possible outcome, AIDS therapy must always be tailored to the individual patient.
Often, the success of therapy is particularly great if the physician or practice already has a lot of experience treating AIDS patients. Ideally, persons infected with HIV or AIDS patients should therefore visit an HIV outpatient clinic or an HIV specialist practice.
Consistent treatment critical
Because of possible side effects, some patients are afraid of treatment. If this is the case for you, you should talk openly with your doctor about your fears. Under no circumstances should you take the medication irregularly or stop it altogether without consulting your doctor – otherwise the success of the therapy will be jeopardized.
If the treatment plan is not followed closely, this can cause the viral load in the body to rise again. Likewise, it can promote the emergence of resistance.
AIDS: life expectancy and chances of cure.
AIDS is still not curable today. However, thanks to drugs developed in recent years, the disease can now be treated effectively. If the virus in the body is detected early, an almost normal life is possible for those affected. Their life expectancy is often only minimally below that of healthy individuals.
In order to avoid the occurrence of life-threatening infections, a lifelong intake of AIDS medication is necessary. The drugs can significantly improve the quality of life of those affected and increase their life expectancy. However, the virus cannot yet be completely removed from the body.
Costs covered by health insurance
The cost of AIDS treatment is relatively high. Exactly how high the costs are varies from person to person. Among other things, they depend on the combination of active ingredients taken and the dosage. As a rough guide, 1,500 euros per month can be expected.
A decisive factor for the costs is also whether other drugs have to be taken in addition to the AIDS drugs to counteract the side effects caused by the treatment. In Germany, the costs of AIDS therapy are borne by the health insurance fund.
