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Summary

  • Combination HIV treatment prevents HIV from damaging your immune system, and so prevents ill health and prolongs lives. 
  • The best time to begin anti-HIV drugs is not known. Decisions are guided mainly by the CD4 count and any symptoms that you may have. Generally, it is currently recommended that treatment starts before the CD4 count falls below 350. Research continues to determine the best time to start HIV treatment.
  • Your doctor may recommend you start treatment when your CD4 cell count is above 350 in some circumstances. 
  • Combinations of at least three anti-HIV drugs provide the best chance of reducing the amount of HIV in your blood to very low levels (an undetectable viral load). 
  • Taking your anti-HIV drugs as prescribed is extremely important, as this will prolong the benefit you will get from them, and reduce the risk of resistance to the drugs developing. 
  • Tell a member of your HIV healthcare team (doctor, nurse or pharmacist) if you are having problems, including side-effects, with your anti-HIV drugs. Make sure they know about any other medicines you are taking (including those bought from a chemist, herbal preparations and recreational drugs).
This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.