Taking HIV
medicines every day and exactly as prescribed can be a difficult and
overwhelming task. However, it is extremely important for the health of the
individual living with HIV to stick to their prescriptions. These are some of
the main reasons why it is important, beneficial, and necessary to take HIV
medications daily:
·
HIV
medications reduce the amount of HIV in the body. Skipping doses can give HIV
the chance to multiply rapidly, and the best way to protect one’s health is
keeping the amount of virus in the blood as low as possible. Aiming to keep the
amount of HIV in the body low also reduces the risk of passing HIV to others. [1]
·
HIV
medications help keep the immune system strong, which helps the body fight off
infections and certain cancers.
·
HIV
medications help prevent drug resistance. Drug resistance can develop as HIV
multiplies in the body and changes form, which means the previous HIV
medications will no longer be effective. In other words, skipping medications
makes it easier for drug resistance to occur, making medications that used to
suppress HIV no longer effective, causing HIV to continue to multiply. In
addition, drug resistance may limit future treatment options. [2]
With side
effects like nausea or diarrhea, taking HIV medications as prescribed can be a difficult
task. However, HIV medications help people with HIV live longer, healthier
lives. Understanding the benefit and importance of taking medications can help
motivate individuals living with HIV to stick to their medications. Taking HIV
medications every day and exactly as prescribed helps protect the health of the
individual, as well as those around them.
One area
churches can come alongside people living with HIV is to offer support for
taking medications. There’s power in community and accountability – having a
volunteer or friend provide reminder and encouragement to take medication can help
people stay adherent. Anyone can help be a “treatment coach” in this way!
If you would
like additional information on how your church can start support groups or mobilize
volunteers to HIV ministry, email HIV@saddleback.com.
Footnotes
1.
Content source: Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention,
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, Sexual Transmitted Diseases and
Tuberculosis Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Date last
updated: 5/15/2017, & Content Source: Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS,
Viral Hepatitis, Sexual Transmitted Diseases and Tuberculosis Prevention. Date
last updated: May 15, 2017. (n.d.). Taking Your HIV Medications Every Day.
Retrieved September 05, 2017, from https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/staying-in-hiv-care/hiv-treatment/taking-your-hiv-medications-every-day
2. HIV
Medication Adherence Understanding HIV/AIDS. (2017, March 02). Retrieved
September 05, 2017, from https://aidsinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv-aids/fact-sheets/21/54/hiv-medication-adherence