HIV DRUG RESISTANCE

HIV is a retroviral virus. It replicates in the body in the CD4 cells. Those infected with the virus receive treatment known as Anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs). Most individuals infected with HIV respond to this treatment. However, some of the infected persons possess HIV strains that are DRUG-RESISTANT.
DRUG RESISTANCE is caused by changes (mutations) in the genetic material of HIV. Most drug-resistance mutations are associated with high level resistance to efavirenz or nevirapine. Drug resistance is when the HIV virus continues to multiply or replicate despite the use of treatment (ARVs).
CAUSES OF DRUG RESISTANCE
Here are the two main causes of drug resistance;
Failure to take medication correctly and skipping doses. The administration of ARVs has very clear and strict instructions thus failure to follow this could to low drug levels in the bloodstream hence HIV could replicate with more drug resistant mutations.
Inability of the infected body to absorb the prescribed drugs effectively. This comes about due to the need of some of the drugs to correspond to a strict dietary plan, so as to attain maximum positive results. Therefore, failure to follow this could lead to the virus replicating in more and improved drug resistance mutations.
WAYS IN WHICH DRUG RESISTANCE MAY OCCUR
This could be;
Through transmission of the drug-resistant HIV mainly through sexual intercourse or perhaps sharing of a needle with an individual who possesses the drug-resistance HIV.
During treatment. Mutations or genetic changes may still happen to someone who doesn’t have the drug-resistant strains of HIV. As HIV resists one type of drug, it could also lead to resistance to other drugs in the same HIV dug-class thus causing CROSS-RESISTANCE.
HOW TO DETECT DRUG-RESISTANCE
Viral load could shift from undetectable to detectable.
Viral load could also show constant increase despite taking the prescribed medication.
NDUMBIA DAMARIS

Comments

  1. Peter2 March 2019 at 22:01

    The antiviral drugs are to help the immune system to fight against HIV virus, also if proper nutrition isn't taken well the body won't be able to fight against the virus .

    ReplyDelete

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