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HIV
Human Immunodeficiency is a virus that takes over certain immune system cells to make many copies of itself. HIV causes slow but constant damage to the immune system. When HIV enters the body, it starts poking holes in the armor. If people do not get any treatment for HIV disease, it takes an average of 8-10 years to progress from HIV to AIDS. HIV is transmitted through four body fluids: blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk. "Knowing your epidemic in a particular region or country is the first, essential step in identifying, selecting and funding the most appropriate and effective HIV prevention measures for that country or region." HIV treatment can be complicated, but knowing what drugs you are taking, which side effects to look out for, how they work against HIV, and why it is so important to take them as prescribed (on time, with or without food, etc.) can really help in the fight against HIV. Currently, there are close to 30 drugs approved for HIV treatment. They are grouped into five classes:Entry inhibitors (includes fusion inhibitors and CCR5 antagonists), Integrase inhibitors,
Nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (“nukes” or NRTIs),
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (“non-nukes” or NNRTIs),
Protease inhibitors (PIs).
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