Work With Your Doctor

You and your doctor are a team. The two of you work to reach your goals. You plan ways to help you live longer and healthier.

Talk with your nurse or doctor:

• If you have trouble taking your pills on time
• If you think you might be having side effects from your pills
• If you have questions about your treatment

Taking pills on time is a must. Your doctor may help you plan ways to make that simpler. Be sure to talk about it.

What is your goal of HIV treatment?

The goal of HIV treatment is clear. Bring your viral load DOWN. Bring your CD4 cell count UP.

Viral load is the amount of virus in your blood.

 CD4 cells (or T cells) are cells that are part of your body’s defense against infections and cancers.

When your viral load goes up, the virus is making copies of itself. Too much HIV in your blood can destroy CD4 cells. You have less defense. You feel tired and run down. You get sick easily.

When your viral load goes DOWN, less HIV is in your blood. This helps the number of CD4 cells to go UP. You may feel better. You have more energy. You may be less likely to get sick.

What is an undetectable viral load?

Your viral load may go so low that blood tests can not measure any virus. Then it is called “undetectable.” This is the goal of HIV treatment. The longer it is low, the better.

“Undetectable” does not mean the virus is gone from your body. You are not cured. But you are healthier.