HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus, which is the virus that causes HIV infection. The abbreviation “HIV” can refer to the virus or to HIV infection. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. HIV attacks and destroys the infection-fighting CD4 cells of the immune system. The loss of CD4 cells makes it difficult for the body to fight infections and certain cancers. Without treatment, HIV can gradually destroy the immune system and advance to AIDS. HIV is spread through contact with certain body fluids from a person with HIV. Fluids such as Blood, Semen, Pre-seminal fluid, Vaginal fluids, Rectal fluids and Breast milk. Within 2 to 4 weeks after a person becomes infected with HIV, they may have flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, or rash. The symptoms may last for a few weeks after they become infected. After this earliest stage of HIV infection, HIV continues to multiply but at very low levels. More severe symptoms of HIV infection, such as signs of opportunistic infections, generally don’t appear for many years. (Opportunistic infections are infections and infection-related cancers that occur more frequently or are more severe in people with weakened immune systems than in people with healthy immune systems.)
Without treatment with HIV medicines, HIV infection usually advances to AIDS in 10 years or longer, though it may take less time for some people.
Treatment is called Antiretroviral therapy (ART). It is the use of HIV medicines to treat HIV infection. People on ART take a combination of HIV medicines every day. It is Imperative to adhere to the drug regimen in order to continue to suppress the virus and prevent it from replicating in the body. Having less HIV in the body protects the immune system and prevents HIV infection from advancing to AIDS. There are many HIV medicines available for HIV regimens. The HIV medicines are grouped into seven drug classes according to how they fight HIV. A person’s initial HIV regimen usually includes three HIV medicines from at least two different HIV drug classes. Selection of an HIV regimen depends on several factors, including possible side effects of HIV medicines and potential drug interactions between medicines
How Invictus Pharmacy can Assist:
- Coverage Eligibility Determination:
- Financial Assistance Program: Regardless of what your financial situation is, our dedicated case managers work hard to find ways to reduce what you pay for the medication
- Prior Authorization and Denial:
- Injection training: Our Pharmacists and trained nurses can help you properly use the medications you’re prescribed and provide you assistance in proper disposal of used/unused drug. Training is done via web-cam, phone or in person at one of our locations.