PEP for HIV Treatment in Delhi NCR

How PEP protect from HIV Virus?

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a preventive treatment aimed at reducing the risk of HIV infection after potential exposure to the virus. PEP involves taking a combination of antiretroviral medications for a specified duration, typically 28 days, following a possible exposure to HIV.

Here's how PEP works to protect against HIV infection:

Inhibition of Viral Replication: Antiretroviral medications used in PEP work by inhibiting various stages of the HIV replication cycle. These medications interfere with the virus's ability to replicate and spread within the body.

Reduction of Viral Load: By initiating PEP as soon as possible after potential exposure to HIV, the antiretroviral drugs aim to reduce the viral load in the body. Lowering the viral load decreases the chances of the virus establishing a widespread infection and helps to prevent the virus from establishing a foothold in the body's immune system.

Boosting Immune Response: By reducing the viral load and preventing widespread infection, PEP helps to preserve the immune system's function. This allows the body's immune system to mount a more effective defense against the virus, potentially preventing HIV infection from taking hold.

Time Sensitivity: PEP is most effective when initiated as soon as possible after potential exposure to HIV, ideally within hours but no later than 72 hours (3 days) post-exposure. Starting PEP promptly maximizes its effectiveness in preventing HIV infection.

Prevention of HIV Integration: Antiretroviral drugs used in PEP can prevent the integration of HIV's genetic material into the DNA of host cells. This inhibition helps to prevent the virus from establishing long-term infection and reduces the risk of HIV becoming a chronic condition.

Get the pep treatment in Delhi which is offered by Dr. Vinod Raina, HIV Specialist.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are closely related but distinct medical conditions.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus):

HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, specifically targeting CD4 cells (also known as T cells), which play a crucial role in coordinating the body's immune response.

HIV is transmitted through certain bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. Common modes of transmission include unprotected sexual intercourse, sharing contaminated needles or syringes, and from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

After HIV enters the body, it replicates itself and progressively destroys CD4 cells. As the number of CD4 cells declines, the immune system weakens, making the individual more susceptible to infections and certain cancers.

HIV infection progresses through various stages, typically starting with acute infection, followed by clinical latency (asymptomatic stage), and eventually leading to AIDS if left untreated.

AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome):

AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection. It is characterized by severe damage to the immune system, leaving the individual highly vulnerable to opportunistic infections and diseases.

The term "AIDS" is applied when HIV infection has advanced to a stage where the individual's CD4 cell count falls below a certain threshold (typically below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood) or when specific AIDS-defining illnesses occur.

AIDS-defining illnesses are opportunistic infections or cancers that occur in individuals with weakened immune systems due to HIV. Examples include pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), Kaposi's sarcoma, tuberculosis, and cryptococcal meningitis, among others.

Without treatment, HIV infection progresses to AIDS over a span of several years. However, with effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), which suppresses HIV replication and preserves immune function, the progression to AIDS can be significantly delayed or even prevented.

 Dr. Vinod Raina, HIV Specialist in Kalkaji

Address: E-34 Ekta Apartment Saket, New Delhi-110017

Contact: 9136363692, 9871605858

 

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