HIV and the Church


Posted by Natalie Azzouni

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



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