HIV TREATMENTS |
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As yet, AIDS
cannot be cured. However, there has been significant success in
controlling the disease. There are three groups of drugs available
to halt the progression of the disease by inhibiting the division
and replication of the virus. These drugs may be used in combination
therapy. They are:
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Protease inhibitors e.g. Indinavir. |
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Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
e.g. Lamivudine, nevirapine |
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Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase
inhibitors (NNRTI) e.g. Efavirenz |
These drugs are
also used to treat the opportunistic infections and cancers
associated with AIDS.
Those who develop
cancers may also be treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy
depending on the type of cancer.
It is important to
note that although these drugs may slow down the progression of AIDS
they do no prevent transmission of the virus to other individuals.
Pregnant mothers
with HIV can be given a drug called Zidovudine which has been shown
to reduce the risk of transmission of HIV to the foetus. |
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