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What is HIV?
- HIV is a virus
- A virus is an infectious agent that must overtake a cell within a living host in order to replicate and produce more copies of itself
- HIV overtakes T-Cells (CD4) in the human body to replicate and produce more viral copies
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How do you get HIV?
- By having unprotected sex with a person who carries the virus
- By sharing needles or “works”
- A mother who has the virus can pass it on to her baby before or during birth - An infected mother may also pass it to her baby by breast-feeding
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What does the HIV virus do?
- The HIV virus affects your immune system
- It does not let your body fight germs that can make you sick
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What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?
- If you have the HIV virus you are “HIV positive”
- If the virus has lowered your immune system so that you become sick from opportunistic diseases then you have “AIDS” (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)
- If you take care of yourself and take your medications as prescribed by your doctor, you greatly reduce the chance of becoming sick with “AIDS”
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Why do I need to take medications?
- Medications lower the amount of HIV virus that lives in your body
- Taking your medications on time every day will help keep the virus from growing
- The less HIV virus that is in your body the healthier you will be and the better you will feel
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What happens when I forget to take my HIV medications?
- The drugs could stop working (you build up a resistance to the good effects of the medications)
- The HIV virus has a chance to duplicate which could make you become sick
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When should I start taking medications?
- You start taking medications when you and your doctor think you are ready
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Will these medications hurt me?
- The medications used are safe if taken as prescribed by your doctor
- There is a possibility of side effects. If you think you are experiencing side effects from your medications talk to your doctor or call your MOMS pharmacist
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Should I see a doctor who specializes in HIV/AIDS treatment?
- Yes. A doctor who has treated many people with HIV/AIDS will have more experience with issues and conditions you may face during HIV/AIDS treatment
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Where should I get my medications?
- It is best to get your prescriptions from a pharmacy that specializes in HIV/AIDS
- MOMSPharmacy is the premier HIV/AIDS pharmacy with over 20 years of experience
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What is an HIV/AIDS specialty pharmacy?
- A specialty pharmacy focuses on a particular medical condition or disease state. They have programs designed for those particular medications and adherence problems associated with taking these meds. Look for free adherence programs, refill assistance programs, educational materials specific to your particular condition, etc. MOMSPharmac specializes in HIV/AIDS medications and therapies and all of our additional services are free of charge.
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What is T-Cell (CD4) Count?
- The T-cell or CD4 count is a blood test which indicates the number of active T-cells in the body
- T-cells in your body are important components of the immune system which are necessary to fight off infections
- The more T-cells you have the better your chances in fighting off opportunistic infections
- The HIV virus kills T-cells
- Taking your medications on time every day will help keep your T-cell count at a higher level
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What is “Viral Load”?
- The viral load is also a blood test
- The viral load shows how much HIV virus is in your blood
- Taking your medications on time every day will help keep the HIV virus from reproducing and help keep your viral load low
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What is “Adherence”?
- Adherence is staying with the prescribed medication regimen
- It is very important to maintain the levels of the medications in your body to help keep the HIV virus under control
- When you miss doses the medication levels drop giving the HIV virus a chance to spread and possibly become resistant to the medication. This means the med may no longer work - MOMSPak was designed to help you with your medication adherence.
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How important is adherence?
- It is very important to maintain the level of medication in your blood to keep the HIV virus under control
- When you miss your doses the medication level drops and the HIV virus can rise. This increases the chances of you becoming sick
- MOMSPak will help with adherence
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How important is adherence to MOMSPharmacy?
- MOMSPharmacy was created to assist people living with HIV/AIDS maintain there medication adherence. We understand that it takes a lot of energy to organize your medications and to remember when to take them. We not only created MOMSPak to make it easier to maintain your medication adherence, we also have a Refill Reminder program, educational materials and other adherence programs at your disposal. Our goal is to help you live your life.
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What does alcohol and drug use do to you?
- They make it hard to keep taking your medications on time
- They make it hard for your body to keep fighting the HIV virus
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Should I skip doses if I am doing drugs and alcohol?
- NO! If you skip doses you allow the HIV virus to grow and you are setting you self up for failure
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What about cigarettes?
- Cigarettes are bad for your overall health by contributing to conditions such as asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and even some cancers
- There are support groups and medications available when you decide to stop smoking.
- MOMS can fill your smoking cessation medications along with your other prescriptions
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What effect does stress have on the body?
- You can’t concentrate
- It can make you depressed
- Stress can lower your immune system
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What about nutrition?
- Your immune system works overtime because of the HIV virus
- You will need a well balanced diet to help your body repair and maintain itself
- Ask your healthcare provider to refer you to a nutritionist if you need help
- MOMSPharmacy also has an exclusive Nutrition and HIV booklet which goes through the do’s and don’ts of HIV nutrition. This book is free for all of our HIV/AIDS clients. Please contact the MOMSPharmacy nearest to you for your free copy.
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