Antiretroviral (ARV) treatment
ARV is a particular type of medication that is used to treat Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV). ARV drugs do not kill the virus; however, they do slow down the growth of the virus. ARV drugs are used to slow the progression of the disease and protect the person’s immune system.
The most important function of ART is to stop the destruction of CD4+ cells. CD4+ cells are white blood cells that are a very important part of the immune system. If someone has a low CD4+ cell count, they are at increased risk of developing Opportunistic Infections, and HIV can become progressively worse. ARV therapy initiation is determined by a child’s CD4+ cell counts and their HIV clinical stage. HIV is staged from 1-4, one being the least serious and 4 being the most serious. A child’s stage is determined by a combination of factors including blood tests, presence of Opportunistic Infections and the child’s cognitive function. Early initiation of ART can prevent HIV related complications, prevent progression to AIDS and improve quality of life. There are currently 6 different classes of medications that are used to manage HIV. Each class of medication attacks the virus at a different part of its lifecycle. The most effective ARV therapy’s combine at least 3 different antiretroviral medications to provide the best cover against the virus. Each person responds differently to different medications, so it can take a while for doctors to figure out which form of ARV therapy is the best for individual patients. Once started, ARV therapy needs to be continued for the rest of the child’s life. ARV therapy can have significant side effects that impact on children’s health and quality of life. Common side effects include chronic diarrhea, nausea, nerve damage, and psychiatric symptoms. Even if children are on the right therapy and are compliant, HIV has the ability to mutate and reproduce to become resistant to antiretroviral therapy. Once a child is resistant to first line ARV therapy, it is necessary to start the child on more expensive second or third line medications. |