HIV Treatment, general

In view of the rapidly changing situations, it is advisable to acquire a recent copy of “The Sanford Guide to HIV/AIDS Therapy”. This is published annually (order via www.sanfordguide.com). Updates on AIDS treatment can be found on http://www.hivatis.org.

AIDS is still an incurable disease, although patients’ suffering can certainly be alleviated. Counselling and support are important and include:

• discussing the diagnosis

• how transmission of the virus takes place

• how transmission can be prevented

• how one can best preserve health for as long as possible

• how to tackle the many AIDS problems that occur

Above all, listen to the patient. Patients will benefit from a friendly doctor sympathetically listening to their story, being able to give a clear and logical explanation for their discomfort and reassuring them that they are not alone in this.

Category: Medical Subject Notes , Medicine Notes