FROM US GOVERNMENT WEBSITE http://www.healthfinder.gov/:
What is HIV?
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. This virus may be passed from one person to another when infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions come in contact with an uninfected person’s broken skin or mucous membranes*. In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their baby during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breast-feeding. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. Some of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection.
What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
Acquired – means that the disease is not hereditary but develops after birth from contact with a disease causing agent (in this case, HIV).
Immunodeficiency – means that the disease is characterized by a weakening of the immune system.
Syndrome – refers to a group of symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease. In the case of AIDS this can include the development of certain infections and/or cancers, as well as a decrease in the number of certain cells in a person’s immune system.
A diagnosis of AIDS is made by a physician using specific clinical or laboratory standards.
How does HIV cause AIDS?
HIV destroys a certain kind of blood cell (CD4+ T cells) which is crucial to the normal function of the human immune system. In fact, loss of these cells in people with HIV is an extremely powerful indicator of the development of AIDS. Studies of thousands of people have revealed that most people infected with HIV carry the virus for years before enough damage is done to the immune system for AIDS to develop. However, sensitive tests have shown a strong connection between the amount of HIV in the blood and the decline in CD4+ T cells and the development of AIDS. Reducing the amount of virus in the body with anti-retroviral therapies can dramatically slow the destruction of a person’s immune system.
Antiretroviral Drugs
Fusion Inhibitors
Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs)
Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs)
Protease Inhibitors (PIs)
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San Pedro Pharmacy is pleased to inform you of the approval of our newest program, the California AIDS Drug Assistant Program (ADAP). We are now able to provide patients with medications, nutrition and any questions they have regarding the particulars of the illness. Our bi-lingual staff understands that patients must be comfortable enough to ask the most intimate questions. With patient health and well-being in mind, our goal is to provide the best possible care to enhance the patient's lifestyle.
