No. There is no cure for HIV or for AIDS.
The medications used to treat HIV infections are called Highly Active Anti-Retroviral
Therapies (HAART). These therapies are a mixture of medications such as AZT,
3TC, ddI and protease inhibitors; they work by slowing down the body’s
production of HIV but they DO NOT get rid of HIV or cure AIDS. The medications
help to reduce the level of HIV in the blood, to make the immune system stronger
and to keep some people healthy longer.
Even though the HAART medications are better than any other treatment so
far, there are some problems:
- They don't work for everyone.
- Some people have very bad side effects from these medications or from the
way they mix with other drugs they are taking. Many have had to stop treatment
due to intolerable side effects and/or interactions.
- The medications cost thousands of dollars each year, which many cannot afford.
- The treatment requires people to take many pills each day, for the rest
of their lives. If they forget to take the pills, the virus (HIV) can mutate,
get stronger, and become resistant to medication.
- We don't know the long-term effects of these medications or how well they
will work over time.
- Not all the people who need treatment have access to it. An Ontario study
found that only half of the people living with HIV/AIDS are getting HAART.
Other research shows that certain groups, such as women and those who inject
drugs, are less likely to get this treatment.
Is prevention still necessary?
The success of HAART is good news because people who have access to the medications
are living longer, better lives. However, the availability of these treatments
has made some believe that preventing HIV infection is no longer important.
This belief has lead to many people engaging in or relapsing into risk-taking
behaviours. We must remember that HIV medications DO NOT stop infections and
thus do not make it safe to stop preventative behaviours. In fact, because there
are more people living with HIV for longer, safety is more important than ever.
There is no cure for HIV or AIDS. To reduce the risk of getting or transmitting
HIV, you still need to practice safer sex and to not share needles (or other
injecting or tattooing and piercing equipment), even when taking HIV medication
(see Question “How
can I have sex more safely?”).
Additional Resources:
Fact Sheets, CATIE
For more information, contact your local
AIDS service organization or health care practitioner.
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