http://www.aidsinfonet.

org/fact_sheets/view/403
WHAT IS ART?
ART are medications that treat HIV. The drugs do not kill or cure the virus. However, when taken in
combination they can prevent the growth of the virus. When the virus is slowed down, so is HIV disease.
Antiretroviral drugs are referred to as ARV. Combination ARV therapy (cART) is referred to as highly
active ART(HAART).

WHAT IS THE HIV LIFE CYCLE?

There are several steps in the HIV life cycle. (See Fact Sheet 400 for a diagram.)
1. Free virus circulates in the bloodstream.
2. HIV attaches to a cell.
3. HIV empties its contents into the cell.
4. The HIV genetic material (RNA) is used by the reverse transcriptase enzyme to build HIV DNA.
5. The HIV DNA is inserted into the cells chromosome by the HIV integrase enzyme. This establishes the
HIV infection in the cell.
6. When the infected cell reproduces, it activates the HIV DNA, which makes the raw material for new HIV
viruses.
7. Packets of material for a new virus come together.
8. The immature virus pushes out of the infected cell in a process called budding.
9. The immature virus breaks free of the infected cell.
10. The new virus matures: raw materials are cut by the protease enzyme and assembled into a
functioning virus.

APPROVED ARV DRUGS

Each type, or class, of ARV drugs attacks HIV in a different way. The first class of anti-HIV drugs was
the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (also called NRTIs or nukes.) These drugs block step
4, where the HIV genetic material is used to create DNA from RNA. The following drugs in this class are
used:
Zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT)
Didanosine (Videx, Videx EC, ddI)
Stavudine (Zerit, d4T)
Lamivudine (Epivir, 3TC)
Abacavir (Ziagen, ABC)
Tenofovir, a nucleotide analog (Viread, TDF)
Combivir (combination of zidovudine and lamivudine)
Trizivir (combination of zidovudine, lamivudine and abacavir)
Emtricitabine (Emtriva, FTC)
Truvada (combination of emtricitabine and tenofovir)
Epzicom (combination of abacavir and lamivudine)
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, also called non-nukes or NNRTIs, also block step
4 but in a different way. Five have been approved:
Nevirapine (Viramune, NVP)
Delavirdine (Rescriptor, DLV)
Efavirenz (Sustiva or Stocrin, EFV, also part of Atripla)
Etravirine (Intelence, ETR)

 Rilpivirine (Edurant, RPV, also part of Complera or Epivlera).

Protease inhibitors or PIs block Step 10, where the raw material for new HIV virus is cut into specific
pieces. Ten protease inhibitors are approved:
Saquinavir (Invirase, SQV)
Indinavir (Crixivan, IDV)
Ritonavir (Norvir, RTV)
Nelfinavir (Viracept, NFV)
Amprenavir (Agenerase, APV)
Lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra or Aluvia, LPV/RTV)
Atazanavir (Reyataz, ATZ)
Fosamprenavir (Lexiva, Telzir, FPV)
Tipranavir (Aptivus, TPV)
Darunavir (Prezista, DRV)
Entry inhibitors prevent HIV from entering a cell by blocking step 2 of the life cycle. Two drugs of this
type have been approved:
Enfuvirtide (Fuzeon, ENF, T-20)
Maraviroc (Selzentry or Celsentri, MVC)
HIV integrase inhibitors prevent HIV from inserting its genetic code into the human cell's code in step 5
of the life cycle. The two drugs of this type are:
Raltegravir (Isentress, RAL)
Elvitegravir (EVG, part of the combination Stribild)
Dolutegravir (Tivicay, DTG)
HOW ARE THE DRUGS USED?
Antiretroviral drugs are usually used in combinations of three or more drugs from more than one class.
This is called "Combination Therapy." Combination therapy helps prevent drug resistance.
Manufacturers of ARVs keep trying to make their drugs easier to take, and have combined some of them
into a single tablet regimen. See Fact Sheet 409 for more information on combination medications.

WHAT IS DRUG RESISTANCE?

When HIV multiplies, many of the new copies have mutations: they are slightly different from the original
virus. Some mutant viruses keep multiplying even when you are taking ARV drugs. When this happens,
the virus can develop resistance to the drug and ART may stop working. See fact Sheet 126 for more
information.
If only one or two ARV drugs are used, it is easy for the virus to develop resistance. For this reason, using
just one or two drugs is not recommended. But if two or three drugs are used, a successful mutant would
have to get around all of the drugs at the same time. Using combination therapy means that it takes
much longer for resistance to develop.

CAN THESE DRUGS CURE AIDS?

ARVs reduce the viral load, the amount of virus in your bloodstream, but are not a cure. A blood test
measures the viral load. People with undetectable viral loads stay healthier longer. They are also less
likely to transmit HIV infection to others.

Some peoples viral load is so low that it is undetectable by the viral load test. This does not mean that
all the virus is gone, and it does not mean a person is cured of HIV infection. See Fact Sheet 125 for
more information on viral load.

WHEN DO I START?
Current US guidelines say that everyone who is infected with HIV should start ARV therapy. See fact
sheet 404 for more information on treatment guidelines. This is an important decision you should discuss
with your health care provider.

WHICH DRUGS DO I USE?

ARV drugs are chosen on the basis of treatment guidelines, HIV drug resistance, your health (for
example, kidney or liver disease) and lifestyle factors. While ARV regimens are usually well tolerated,
each ARV drug can have side effects. Some may be serious. Refer to the fact sheet for each individual
drug. Each person is different, and you and your health care provider will have to decide which drugs to
use.
Adherence to ARVs is very important for treatment to work. The viral load test is used to see if ARV drugs
are working.

WHATS NEXT?
New drugs are being studied in all of the existing classes. Researchers are also trying to develop new
types of drugs, such as drugs that will block other steps in the HIV life cycle, and drugs that will
strengthen the bodys immune defenses.
WHAT IS ART?
ART are medications that treat HIV. The drugs do not kill or cure the virus. However, when taken in
combination they can prevent the growth of the virus. When the virus is slowed down, so is HIV disease.
Antiretroviral drugs are referred to as ARV. Combination ARV therapy (cART) is referred to as highly
active ART(HAART).

WHAT IS THE HIV LIFE CYCLE?

There are several steps in the HIV life cycle. (See Fact Sheet 400 for a diagram.)
1. Free virus circulates in the bloodstream.
2. HIV attaches to a cell.
3. HIV empties its contents into the cell.
4. The HIV genetic material (RNA) is used by the reverse transcriptase enzyme to build HIV DNA.
5. The HIV DNA is inserted into the cells chromosome by the HIV integrase enzyme. This establishes the
HIV infection in the cell.
6. When the infected cell reproduces, it activates the HIV DNA, which makes the raw material for new HIV
viruses.
7. Packets of material for a new virus come together.
8. The immature virus pushes out of the infected cell in a process called budding.
9. The immature virus breaks free of the infected cell.

10. The new virus matures: raw materials are cut by the protease enzyme and assembled into a
functioning virus.

APPROVED ARV DRUGS

Each type, or class, of ARV drugs attacks HIV in a different way. The first class of anti-HIV drugs was
the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (also called NRTIs or nukes.) These drugs block step
4, where the HIV genetic material is used to create DNA from RNA. The following drugs in this class are
used:
Zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT)
Didanosine (Videx, Videx EC, ddI)
Stavudine (Zerit, d4T)
Lamivudine (Epivir, 3TC)
Abacavir (Ziagen, ABC)
Tenofovir, a nucleotide analog (Viread, TDF)
Combivir (combination of zidovudine and lamivudine)
Trizivir (combination of zidovudine, lamivudine and abacavir)
Emtricitabine (Emtriva, FTC)
Truvada (combination of emtricitabine and tenofovir)
Epzicom (combination of abacavir and lamivudine)
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, also called non-nukes or NNRTIs, also block step
4 but in a different way. Five have been approved:
Nevirapine (Viramune, NVP)
Delavirdine (Rescriptor, DLV)
Efavirenz (Sustiva or Stocrin, EFV, also part of Atripla)
Etravirine (Intelence, ETR)
Rilpivirine (Edurant, RPV, also part of Complera or Epivlera).
Protease inhibitors or PIs block Step 10, where the raw material for new HIV virus is cut into specific
pieces. Ten protease inhibitors are approved:
Saquinavir (Invirase, SQV)
Indinavir (Crixivan, IDV)
Ritonavir (Norvir, RTV)
Nelfinavir (Viracept, NFV)
Amprenavir (Agenerase, APV)
Lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra or Aluvia, LPV/RTV)
Atazanavir (Reyataz, ATZ)
Fosamprenavir (Lexiva, Telzir, FPV)
Tipranavir (Aptivus, TPV)
Darunavir (Prezista, DRV)
Entry inhibitors prevent HIV from entering a cell by blocking step 2 of the life cycle. Two drugs of this
type have been approved:
Enfuvirtide (Fuzeon, ENF, T-20)
Maraviroc (Selzentry or Celsentri, MVC)
HIV integrase inhibitors prevent HIV from inserting its genetic code into the human cell's code in step 5
of the life cycle. The two drugs of this type are:

 Raltegravir (Isentress, RAL)

Elvitegravir (EVG, part of the combination Stribild)
Dolutegravir (Tivicay, DTG)

HOW ARE THE DRUGS USED?

Antiretroviral drugs are usually used in combinations of three or more drugs from more than one class.
This is called "Combination Therapy." Combination therapy helps prevent drug resistance.
Manufacturers of ARVs keep trying to make their drugs easier to take, and have combined some of them
into a single tablet regimen. See Fact Sheet 409 for more information on combination medications.

WHAT IS DRUG RESISTANCE?

When HIV multiplies, many of the new copies have mutations: they are slightly different from the original
virus. Some mutant viruses keep multiplying even when you are taking ARV drugs. When this happens,
the virus can develop resistance to the drug and ART may stop working. See fact Sheet 126 for more
information.
If only one or two ARV drugs are used, it is easy for the virus to develop resistance. For this reason, using
just one or two drugs is not recommended. But if two or three drugs are used, a successful mutant would
have to get around all of the drugs at the same time. Using combination therapy means that it takes
much longer for resistance to develop.

CAN THESE DRUGS CURE AIDS?

ARVs reduce the viral load, the amount of virus in your bloodstream, but are not a cure. A blood test
measures the viral load. People with undetectable viral loads stay healthier longer. They are also less
likely to transmit HIV infection to others.
Some peoples viral load is so low that it is undetectable by the viral load test. This does not mean that
all the virus is gone, and it does not mean a person is cured of HIV infection. See Fact Sheet 125 for
more information on viral load.

WHEN DO I START?
Current US guidelines say that everyone who is infected with HIV should start ARV therapy. See fact
sheet 404 for more information on treatment guidelines. This is an important decision you should discuss
with your health care provider.

WHICH DRUGS DO I USE?

ARV drugs are chosen on the basis of treatment guidelines, HIV drug resistance, your health (for
example, kidney or liver disease) and lifestyle factors. While ARV regimens are usually well tolerated,
each ARV drug can have side effects. Some may be serious. Refer to the fact sheet for each individual
drug. Each person is different, and you and your health care provider will have to decide which drugs to
use.

Adherence to ARVs is very important for treatment to work. The viral load test is used to see if ARV drugs
are working.

WHATS NEXT?
New drugs are being studied in all of the existing classes. Researchers are also trying to develop new
types of drugs, such as drugs that will block other steps in the HIV life cycle, and drugs that will
strengthen the bodys immune defenses.

DOH: Over 10,000 HIV patients getting

free treatment
By Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star) | Updated July 6, 2015 - 12:00am
2

34 googleplus0

MANILA, Philippines - Over 10,000 people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are getting free antiretroviral therapy (ART) from the government.
Data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed that a total of 10,207 people nationwide are undergoing
ART in 22 treatment hubs nationwide.
Health officials noted that the number of those who are accessing free anti-retroviral drugs include both adult
and pediatric patients. Last month alone, a total of 415 people with HIV started taking ART.
According to the DOH, those who underwent ART but have died or stopped treatment for various reasons were
excluded from the list of beneficiaries.
Since January 1984 to May 2015, a total of 25,684 HIV cases have been reported in the country, with 1,214
deaths and 2,254 progressing into AIDS.
Health Secretary Janette Garin said yesterday that the government is still looking to enhance the delivery of
HIV services to the public in line with their Hi5 (High Impact Breakthrough Strategies) program.
Harmonious innovations for vulnerable populations, advocacy and intensified diagnostic treatment strategy
(HIV-AIDS) will be used to increase the number of those counseled, screened, and tested against HIV, Garin
said in a statement.
Garin stressed the need to enhance coordination with private sector health providers and hospitals to control
the spread of HIV and AIDS in the country.
Through the Hi5 program, the DOH hopes to reduce HIV/AIDS cases in the country by 40
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/07/06/1473818/doh-over-10000-hiv-patients-getting-free-treatment

HIV Treatment
Following an HIV Regimen: Steps to Take Before and After Starting HIV
Medicines
(Last updated 3/1/2016; last reviewed 3/1/2016)
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Key Points
Medication adherence means sticking firmly to an HIV regimentaking HIV medicines
every day and exactly as prescribed.
Medication adherence reduces the risk of drug resistance and treatment failure.
Before starting an HIV regimen, tell your health care provider about any issues that
can make adherence difficult, such as lack of health insurance or alcohol or drug
abuse.
After starting an HIV regimen, medication aids such as pill boxes, pill reminders, and
medication diaries can help to maintain long-term medication adherence.

Before starting an HIV regimen, talk to your health care

provider about medication adherence.
Talking with your health care provider will help you understand why youre starting HIV
treatment and why medication adherence is important. Medication adherence means
sticking firmly to an HIV regimentaking HIV medicines every day and exactly as
prescribed.
Your health care provider will explain that taking HIV medicines every day can protect your
health and prevent your HIV infection from advancing to AIDS. The HIV medicines will also
reduce your risk of passing HIV to another person during sex. Your health care provider will
emphasize that adherence to an HIV regimen reduces the risk of drug resistance and
treatment failure.
Information that you share with your health care provider will make it easier to select an HIV
regimen that suits your needs. The information will also help you and your health care
provider plan ahead for any issues that may make adherence difficult.

What should I tell my health care provider before starting an

HIV regimen?
Tell your health care provider about other prescription and
nonprescription medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal
products you are taking or plan to take. Other medicines you take may interact with
the HIV medicines in your HIV regimen. A drug interaction can reduce or increase the effect
of a medicine or cause side effects.
Tell your health care provider about any issues that can make adherence
difficult. Issues such as lack of health insurance or alcohol or drug use can make it hard to
follow an HIV regimen. If needed, your health care provider can recommend resources to
help you address any issues before you start treatment.
Describe your schedule at home and at work to your health care provider. Working
together, you can arrange your HIV medication schedule to match your day-to-day routine.
Ask your health care provider for written instructions on how to follow your HIV
regimen. The instructions should include the following details:
Each HIV medicine included in your regimen
How much of each medicine to take
When to take each medicine

 How to take each medicine (for example, with or without food)

Possible side effects from each medicine, including serious side effects
How to store each medicine
Use small candies to practice following the instructions. The practice will help you identify
and address problems with adherence before you start your HIV regimen.

After you start an HIV regimen, use a variety of strategies to

maintain adherence.
To maintain adherence over the long term, try some of the following strategies:
Use a 7-day pill box. Once a week, fill the pill box with your HIV medicines for the
entire week.
Take your HIV medicines at the same time every day.
Set the alarm on your cell phone to remind you to take your medicines. (An alarm
clock or timer works too.) Or download the AIDSinfo Drug App to bookmark your
HIV medicines, make notes, and set daily pill reminders.
Ask your family members, friends, or coworkers to remind you to take your
medicines.
Keep your medicines nearby. Keep a back-up supply of medicines at work or in your
purse or briefcase.
Plan ahead for changes in your daily routine, including weekends and holidays. If
youre going away, pack enough medicine to last the entire trip.
Use an app or an online or paper medicine diary to stay on track. Enter the name of
each medicine; include the dose, number of pills to take, and when to take them.
Record each medicine as you take it. Reviewing your diary will help you identify the
times that youre most likely to forget to take your medicines.
Keep all your medical appointments. Use a calendar to keep track of your
appointments. If you run low on medicines before your next appointment, call your
health care provider to renew your prescriptions.
Get additional tips on adherence by joining a support group for people living with HIV.

What should I do if I forget to take my HIV medicines?

Dont panic! Unless your health care provider tells you otherwise, take the medicine you
missed as soon as you realize you skipped it. But if its almost time for the next dose of the
medicine, dont take the missed dose and instead just continue on your regular medication
schedule. Dont take a double dose of a medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Discuss medication adherence at each appointment with your

health care provider.
Tell your health care provider if youre having difficulty following your regimen. Dont forget
to mention any side effects youre having. Side effects from HIV medicines are a major
reason medication adherence can be difficult.
Let your health care provider know if your regimen is too complicated to follow. Your health
care provider may simplify your regimen to include fewer HIV medicines or to reduce the
number of times a day you need to take your HIV medicines.
Discuss any issues that are causing you to skip medicines. Your health care provider can
recommend resources to help you deal with the issues.
https://aidsinfo.nih.gov/education-materials/fact-sheets/21/55/following-an-hiv-regimen--steps-to-take-before-and-after-starting-hiv-medicines

HIV Treatment
When to Start Antiretroviral Therapy
(Last updated 2/24/2016; last reviewed 2/24/2016)
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This Fact Sheet HTML

Entire Series HTML

Key Points
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the use of HIV medicines to treat HIV infection. ART is
recommended for everyone infected with HIV. ART helps people with HIV live
longer, healthier lives.
People with HIV should begin ART as soon as possible. In HIV-infected people with the
following conditions, its especially important to start ART right away:
pregnancy, AIDS, certain HIV-related illnesses and coinfections, and early HIV
infection. (Early HIV infection is the period up to 6 months after infection with HIV.)
Effective ART depends on medication adherencetaking HIV medicines every day
and exactly as prescribed. Before starting ART, its important to address any issues
that can make adherence difficult.

When is it time to start taking HIV medicine?

Treatment with HIV medicines (called antiretroviral therapy or ART for short) is
recommended for everyone infected with HIV. ART helps people with HIV live longer,
healthier lives and reduces the risk of HIV transmission.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) guidelines on the use of HIV
medicines in adults and adolescents recommend that people with HIV start ART as soon as
possible. In HIV-infected people with certain conditions, its especially important to start ART
right away.

What conditions increase the need to start ART?

HIV-infected people with the following conditions should consider starting ART immediately:

Pregnancy
AIDS
Certain HIV-related illnesses and coinfections
Early HIV infection
Pregnancy
All pregnant women with HIV should take HIV medicines to prevent mother-to-child
transmission of HIV. The HIV medicines will also protect the health of the pregnant woman.
In general, women who are already taking HIV medicines when they become pregnant
should continue taking HIV medicines throughout their pregnancies. If HIV infection is
diagnosed during pregnancy, the HIV-infected pregnant woman should consider starting ART
right away.
AIDS
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced stage of HIV infection.
People with AIDS should start ART immediately.
A diagnosis of AIDS is based on the following criteria:
A CD4 count less than 200 cells/mm3. A low CD4 count is a sign that HIV has severely
damaged theimmune system.
OR
The presence of an AIDS-defining condition. AIDS-defining conditions are infections
and cancers that are life-threatening in people with HIV. Certain forms of cervical
cancer and tuberculosis are examples of AIDS-defining conditions.

HIV-related illnesses and coinfections

Some illnesses that develop in people infected with HIV increase the need for ART. These
illnesses include HIV-related kidney disease and certain opportunistic infections (OIs). OIs
are infections that develop more often or are more severe in people with weakened immune
systems, such as people with HIV.
Coinfection is when a person has two or more infections at the same time. People who are
infected with HIV and certain other infections, such as hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus
infection, should consider starting ART immediately.
Early HIV infection
The period up to 6 months after infection with HIV is called early HIV infection. During early
HIV infection, the level of HIV in the body (called viral load) is very high. A high viral load
damages the immune system and increases the risk of HIV transmission.
Studies suggest that even in early HIV infection, ART can improve health and prolong life. In
addition, ART started during early HIV infection reduces the risk of HIV transmission. For
these reasons, people with early HIV infection should consider starting ART immediately.

Once a person starts ART, why is medication adherence

important?
ART is a life-long treatment that helps people with HIV live longer, healthier lives. But
effective ART depends on medication adherencetaking HIV medicines every day and
exactly as prescribed. Adherence to an HIV regimen prevents HIV from multiplying and
destroying the immune system. Taking HIV medicines every day also reduces the risk of HIV
transmission.
Before starting ART, its important to address issues that can make adherence difficult. For
example, a busy schedule or lack of health insurance to cover the cost of HIV medicines can
make it hard to take HIV medicines consistently. Health care providers can recommend
resources to help people deal with any issues that may interfere with adherence.
https://aidsinfo.nih.gov/education-materials/fact-sheets/21/52/when-to-start-antiretroviraltherapy

DOH to buy P180M worth of HIV

drugs
By: Jocelyn R. Uy

MANILA, PhilippinesThe Department of Health (DOH) is forking over P180

million from its budget this year to procure antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for Filipinos
living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Dr. Jose Gerard Belimac, program manager of the DOH Philippine National AIDS
Council, said the government has beefed up its commitment to provide funding for the
treatment of persons living with the HIV infection after the Global Fund suspended its
grant for ARV therapy.
Global Fund is an international organization that extends grants to countries to help
address HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
Actually, the pullout of Global Fund has a good implication. It means the
government already has a high level of commitment to HIV treatment, Belimac told
reporters on the sidelines of a media training on epidemiology in Tarlac City last
week.
Belimac said Global Fund was redirecting its assistance to government programs on
the prevention of the spread of HIV, which could lead to AIDS or acquired immune
deficiency syndrome.
AIDS is a condition in which the bodys immune system is attacked and damaged by
the virus, ultimately leading to death.
From January to February this year, the DOH recorded 1,182 new HIV/AIDS cases. In
February alone, 646 new cases were reported, the biggest number reported in a month
in the history of HIV in the country, Belimac said.
To simplify the numbers, at least 21 people were infected daily in February, he said.
But HIV patients could live longer if they undergo ARV therapy.
In 2013, the World Health Organization issued new HIV treatment guidelines,
recommending that ARV therapy be given to HIV patients earlier.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/686535/doh-to-buy-p180m-worth-of-hiv-drugs

HIV Treatment in The Philippines

HIV Test Kit Philippines - HIV Testing at Home. 99.98% Accuracy with 100% Privacy. > HIV Treatment in The
Philippines

HIV treatment in The Philippines : What you need to know.

Latest innovations already allows HIV Testing at home using HIV test kit in the
Philippines. Treatment however, still remains largely underfunded and The Philippines is
one of the countries in the world with the lowest budget for HIV treatment hence, the
HIV affected individuals themselves are the most affected with financial burden of
having the disease.
The cost of HIV Treatment in The Philippines
Government support is currently available at the Public Hospitals for people living with
HIV who need to undergo antiretroviral treatment or therapy (ART). And there is one
other treatment performed by experts and on to San Lazaro or RITM, But take note that
the practice privacy in terms of contactable disease such as HIV being the most
common will be divulged and youll be listed as a HIV positive.. But when you are
blessed with big bucks the only other 2 hospitals that possessed remarkable HIV
specialty ward is Makati Med and Medical City. be also aware that admitting to this
hospitals will definitely be costly , RITM will be far loftier in terms of cost and expertise
than Makati Med and Medical City. HIV treatment in The Philippines still uses the older
medication and not the newest recommended drug called Atripla.
Counting the cost
A person living with HIV will have to take medication throughout his lifetime. The initial
treatment costs the government at least P7,920 a year per PLHIV. The onset of health
complications means more medicines and a higher cost of at least P11,520 per
year.When making a budget based on the forecast of the annual increase in cases, the
health department adds a buffer or an extra allotment.
Not for all
Not everyone who tests positive for HIV undergoes antiretroviral therapy, based on the
recommendations of the World Health Organization. The main thrust in medication
which means physicians focus on boosting the patients immune system to fight off
infection while keeping the cost to a minimum. The side effects vary, depending on the
kind of drug. For Zidovudine and Lamivudine, these include diarrhea, nausea, dizziness,
headache and muscle pain or myopathy. If the patient requires further referral or
management, the team members will facilitate such referrals, he said. Laboratory
tests, whose costs are borne by the PLHIV, are conducted on a case-to-case basis. The
initial cost is less than P1,000, which includes a complete blood count, chest X-ray, and
liver and kidney profile. The results will form the basis for the ART. HIV treatment in The

Philippines is indeed not affordable to everyone as it is not 100% free.

Insurance
To help PLHIV with their medical costs, and to support the United Nations Millennium
Development Goal 6 of halting or reversing the incidence of HIV by 2015, the Philippine
Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) late last year implemented the Outpatient HIV/AIDS
Treatment Package.
Philhealth will reimburse up to P30,000 a year the cost of medicines, laboratory exams
including the CD4 level determination test and the anti-retroviral drug toxicity
monitoring test, and doctors professional fees of those confirmed to have HIV or AIDS
who require treatment.
Family support
ART entails commitment from the patients because this will continue for a lifetime. They
are also encouraged to find out if they have other health problems.
(Antiretroviral) treatment will not kill the virus. It is (only) an aid to fight infection, said
Alera.
The patients will need good family support to encourage them to take medication, and
with support they are less depressed. It is important that the HIV-positive individual
maintain his health, he said. AIDS death numbers are low because ART is now
extending the lives of PLHIV by delaying the onset of AIDS, and because some deaths
due to AIDS are not recognized as such.

http://hivtestkit.ph/hiv-treatment-in-the-philippines/