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PREVENTATIVE
MEDICINE

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the antibodies produced against HIV. Another test, called a nucleic References
acid test (NAT), can look for the actual virus in the blood.6 Although 1. Content Source: HIV.govDate last updated: June 24, 2019. (2021,
this test can detect HIV sooner than other tests, it is a very expensive January 26). How is HIV transmitted? HIV.gov. Retrieved April
test and can only be used after a patient has had a high risk exposure or 8, 2022, from https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/about-
are presenting with symptoms of the disease. hiv-and-aids/how-is-hiv-transmitted
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Symptoms of HIV can usually be mistaken for another viral disease, 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, May 25). Pep.
so this further emphasizes the importance of getting tested to ensure Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved April 8,
you do not have an infection. Usually, early HIV symptoms can occur 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/pep.html
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within a couple weeks or months from the time of infection. Symp- 3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, May 13). Prep
toms can include fever, headache, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, rash, effectiveness. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Re-
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sore throat, or sore muscles and joints. These symptoms are nonspe- trieved April 8, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep
cific so it can be challenging for people to recognize that it can be due /prep-effectiveness.html
to an HIV infection. If you are at risk for contracting HIV, it is rec- 4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, May 25). Pep.
ommended to get tested and be aware of any viral symptoms that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved April 9,
might arise. 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/pep.html
5. HIV diagnosis. ucsfhealth.org. (n.d.). Retrieved April 9, 2022,
Treatment from https://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/hiv/diagnosis#
When it comes to HIV, treatment is prevention. By reducing the :~:text=ELISA%20Test%20ELISA%2C%20which%20stands,in
viral load of an individual with HIV, the risk of future transmission %20one%20to%20three%20months.
drops precipitously. Current standard of care calls for the treatment of 6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, April 19).
a newly diagnosed HIV patient with highly active antiretroviral therapy Types of HIV tests. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(HAART) regardless of that patient’s CD4 count or symptoms. 8 Retrieved April 9, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/
HAART is a regimen of three to four drugs, each of which target a dif- hiv-testing/test-types.html
ferent stage of the viral life cycle to ensure that resistance to any one 7. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2020,
drug won’t cause the treatment to be unsuccessful. With proper patient November 21). Early HIV symptoms: What are they? Mayo
adherence, HAART has been shown to reduce morbidity, mortality Clinic. Retrieved April 9, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/
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and transmission of HIV. diseases-conditions/hiv-aids/expert-answers/early-hiv-
Adherence, though, can be a significant challenge to people being symptoms/faq-20058415
treated with HAART. Whenever possible, a HAART regimen should 8. Eggleton JS, Nagalli S. Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy
be chosen that consists of a single co-formulated tablet taken orally (HAART) [Updated 2021 Nov 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
once a day. However, certain patients may have contraindications to Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available
the currently available co-formulated tablets and have to take as many from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554533/
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as three to four pills twice a day, instead. In situations such as these, 9. Kemnic TR, Gulick PG. HIV Antiretroviral Therapy. [Updated
it is paramount for the interprofessional care team to stress the impor- 2021 Jul 18]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): Stat-
tance of adherence, and provide strategies to improve adherence. These Pearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from:
strategies include patient education, seven-day pillboxes, and down- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513308/
loadable phone applications and alarms. 10. Justiz Vaillant AA, Gulick PG. HIV Disease Current Practice. [Up-
dated 2021 Dec 15]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL):
Conclusion StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from:
HIV is not once what it was in the late 1900s. With a plethora of https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534860/
options to treat the disease, and with new drugs in the works, people
living with HIV can lead relatively normal lives. It's important for Moses Alfaro, BSA and Colton Blinka, BSA are
healthcare leaders in the community to educate and spread awareness medical students at UT Health San Antonio Long
of how to protect yourself from contracting HIV, how to test for it and School of Medicine. Moses is a member of the BCMS
what options are available for treatment. Publications Committee.

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