title: Unraveling the mystery of HIV medications.
abstract: Today, millions of people around the globe are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This retrovirus attacks and renders ineffective the human immune system and leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which leaves those with AIDS open to a variety of fatal infections. HIV knows no racial, gender, or age distinctions, and there is, as yet, no cure for HIV. However, after 25 years of research, there are three classes of medication that in various combinations may significantly slow the progress of HIV, thus improving and prolonging the life of infected individuals. Nurses in any practice arena will inevitably care for patients who are infected with HIV. With an understanding of HIV and the therapeutic benefits of antiretroviral medications, informed nurses have the opportunity and responsibility to educate infected persons in the appropriate use of antiretroviral drugs and the importance of preventing transmission of HIV to uninfected persons.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Practice Nursing, Kent State University College of Nursing, Kent, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Beatrice B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Turkoski
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D017277:Drug Approval; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing / Q000821:virology; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054303:HIV Reverse Transcriptase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018579:Patient Selection; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors; D054303:HIV Reverse Transcriptase