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Adherence is essential for your health

Image by Towfiqu barbhuiya

The effectiveness of antiretroviral (ARV) medications depends on adherence to treatment. That is, using the medication as prescribed. Good adherence is key to reducing HIV in the blood to undetectable levels.

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Importance of adherence

 

You must take your medication, even when you “feel well,” to maintain your health and an undetectable viral load. Suppression improves HIV health outcomes and reduces transmission. According to HIV.gov, non-adherence to treatment causes antiretroviral drugs to fail because HIV mutates in the body and develops resistance to the medication. This compromises your health and makes treating the virus more complex, diminishing your quality of life. Today, antiretroviral drugs are very well tolerated and highly effective at fighting HIV, causing minimal side effects.

 

  • Although minimal, you may experience side effects when starting treatment.

  • Some people do not experience side effects.

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Strategies for being adherent

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  • Use a pill organizer.

  • Set alarms on your cell phone as a reminder.

  • Develop personalized strategies that remind you to take your medication.

  • Talk to a support circle to help you in your process of becoming adherent.

  • Don't miss your appointments with healthcare professionals.​​

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Viral load test

 

When you attend your follow-up appointments, discuss your adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ARV) with your healthcare provider. Viral load is monitored to observe how much the virus in your blood has decreased and, if possible, to establish a viral suppression result (<200 copies/ml in the blood). This means you are adhering to an effective treatment regimen.

 

When is this test performed?

 

  • Start of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment: 4 weeks after starting treatment

  • For patients with viral load (>200 copies/ml): Every 4-8 weeks

  • Undetectable status (viral load <200 copies/ml): Every 3-4 months

  • Two years undetectable using ARV: Every 6 months​​

References

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, August 17). How to Optimize HIV Treatment. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/clinicians/treatment/treatment-clinicians.html.

HIV.gov. (2021, March 29). HIV Treatment Overview. https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/staying-in-hiv-care/hiv-treatment/hiv-treatment-overview.

 

Note: This brochure is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a total grant of $2,267,447.00, with 0% funded from non-governmental sources. The content belongs to the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views or endorsement of HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.​​

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This work was supported by grant number UT8HA33947, EHE (Ending the HIV Epidemic), from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.

 

Grant Policy Statement : This website is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a grant totaling $2,540,593 with 0% funding from non-governmental sources. The content belongs to the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views or endorsement of HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. government.

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