Lipodystrophy definition and facts Readers Comments 3 Share Your Story Picture of HIV Lipodystrophy Lipodystrophy refers to medical problem where there is an abnormal distribution of fat in the body. This can refer both to fat loss (lipoatrophy) and abnormal accumulation of fat tissue. The disease may be inherited genetically, (for example, familial partial lipodystrophy...
What is the difference between HIV vs. AIDS? AIDS (also termed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is defined as a syndrome or condition that results when HIV damages the human immune system so severely that the person becomes very susceptible to additional problems including different infections. The difference between HIV and AIDS is in the strict definition...
Is HIV curable if caught early? HIV cannot be treated or managed without proper medical therapy. There is no cure for HIV yet. Antiretroviral treatment can, however, control the infection limiting the virus multiplication in the body. With proper treatment, people with HIV can lead long and healthy lives. Treatment lowers the viral load (concentration...
Generic drug: abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine Brand name: Triumeq What is Triumeq (abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine), and how does it work? Triumeq (abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine) is a prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 infection in adults and children who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg). HIV-1 is the virus that causes Acquired Immune...
What is HIV infection? Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is caused by a virus that attacks the T-cells of the human immune system. This results in progressive weakening of the immune system leading to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), when the body is no longer able to fight infection effectively. HIV has no cure and...
What are integrase strand-transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) in antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV infection? Integrase strand-transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) are one of the latest additions to the classes of drugs used in antiretroviral therapy (ART) for human immunodeficiency (HIV) infection. The first integrase strand-transfer inhibitor came into use in 2007, as part of the ART regimen with...
What are NNRTIs in antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection? Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) are one of the classes of drugs that form part of the antiretroviral therapy (ART) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The first NNRTI drug was introduced in 1996, and since then this drug class has been an integral part of...
What are protease inhibitors in antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection? Protease inhibitors are one of the classes of drugs in the combination of drugs used for antiretroviral therapy (ART) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Protease inhibitors were first introduced in 1995 and are effective for both HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections. Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors...
What is lopinavir and ritonavir, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Kaletra is an oral medication that is a combination of lopinavir and ritonavir. It is used for treating infections with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is in a class of drugs called protease inhibitors which, among others, includes ritonavir (Norvir), nelfinavir...
What is HIV? HIV-1 is the most common form of HIV. HIV-2 is less deadly and mostly found in West Africa. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks the cells of the immune system. CD4+ cells help the body to resist any infections. When the number of these cells is reduced, the body is less resistant, which...