HIV and Treatment Breaks
Know the risk of taking treatment breaks...
Starting and stopping HIV treatment has more serious consequences than previously thought.
6000 patients recently took part in the largest international study ever into the use of HIV treatment breaks.
Undertaken by National Institute of Allegies and Infectious Diseases in the US, the study showed that those starting and stopping treatment:
- Had twice the risk of disease progression compared to those on continuous treatment
- Experienced dramatic increases in cardiovascular, kidney and liver diseases
The study was called Strategies For Management of Anti-Retroviral Therapy (SMART)
Plan for the unexpected...
If you’re going out or going away, take extra meds with you in case you’re out or away longer than expected.
And if you’re thinking of stopping treatment, talk to a doctor first.
ACON can help you...
If you need advice or support in relation to your HIV treatments, ACON’s health maintainance staff are here to help. Call Jae on 9206 2025 during business hours between Monday and Friday.
If you’re caught without pills, Jae can provide you with info on where to stock up. Otherwise call the emergency dept of your nearest hospital.
For the latest on HIV treatments and how to manage your pills, check out ACON’s Treatment Updates web site at www.treatmentsupdate.info.