Treatments for AIDS

Treatment aims to decrease the amount of virus in the body and keep the immune system as healthy as possible to prevent infections and cancers. Treatment for HIV may involve the following:

Medications Lifestyle changes Other treatments Alternative and complementary treatments

Surgical procedures are sometimes combined with medical therapy for the treatment of various infections and cancers associated with AIDS.

References

HIV/AIDS. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease website. Available at: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/HIVAIDS/Understanding/Pages/whatAreHIVAIDS.aspx. Accessed May 15, 2013.

HIV/AIDS. Center for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/index.html. Accessed May 15, 2013.

A guide to primary care of people with HIV/AIDS. National Institute of Health and Human Services website. Available at: http://hab.hrsa.gov/deliverhivaidscare/files/primary2004ed.pdf. Accessed May 15, 2013.

HIV and AIDS. American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/hiv-and-aids.html . Updated December 2010. Accessed May 15, 2013.

Revision Information

Reviewer: Michael K. Mansour, MD, PhD
Review Date: 05/2013
Update Date: 05/20/2013

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.