#AskTheHIVDoc: How does HIV treatment work?

#AskTheHIVDoc is a series of short explainer videos from Greater Than HIV featuring top HIV doctors covering all aspects of HIV from prevention (including PrEP) to diagnosis, care and treatment, as well as the basics.

In this installment, Dr. David Malebranche, MD, MPH, explains terms like CD4 and T-Cell, viral load and HIV undetectable. He also covers the basics of HIV treatment – why it matters, how it works, when to start – as well as covers getting into care and finding support.

These videos are provided for educational purposes and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition.

TRANSCRIPT:
The HIV treatment works on two ways. It both kills the virus and then also stops what existing virus is there from damaging the cells and reproducing.

So, the quicker you get a jump on that battle and those HIV medications that we use will actually slow up the virus so that your immune system doesn't have to be fighting all the time.

If your immune system isn't fighting all the time that way your body can just function like it's supposed to and you can live the life you were meant to lead.