Skip to content

HIV Infection

HIV is a virus that attacks CD4 immune cells. Without treatment, it weakens the body’s defences over time. Modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) can suppress the virus to undetectable levels, allowing people on effective treatment to stay well and live with HIV as a manageable chronic condition.

Medicines used to treat HIV Infection

Tenofovir + Emtricitabine

Tenofovir, Emtricitabine

300/200mg

Tenofovir and emtricitabine are combined in a tablet for HIV infection and pre-exposure prophylaxis. It is supplied in a single strength; pack sizes vary. Each option lists its price per tablet.

FromUS$1.84/ tabletView

Kaletra

Lopinavir, Ritonavir

200/50mg

Kaletra is lopinavir with ritonavir in a tablet for HIV infection. It is a protease inhibitor with its pharmacokinetic booster, supplied in one strength and several pack sizes. You can compare the price per tablet across options.

FromUS$4.98/ tabletView

Key points

  • HIV targets CD4 immune cells.
  • ART can reduce viral load to undetectable levels, and people on effective treatment cannot transmit the virus sexually.
  • Untreated infection can progress to AIDS, where opportunistic infections become a risk.

Symptoms and progression

Early infection often causes a short flu-like illness with fever, swollen glands and sore throat, which resolves on its own. After that, the infection enters a prolonged phase with no symptoms, and CD4 counts decline slowly during this time.

Treatment

ART uses medicines from several drug classes to keep the virus below detectable levels. Treatment is lifelong; pausing allows the virus to resurge. Examples include Tenofovir + Emtricitabine tablets 300/200mg, combining tenofovir and emtricitabine, and Kaletra tablets 200/50mg, combining lopinavir and ritonavir. The tenofovir/emtricitabine combination is also used for pre-exposure prophylaxis. Orders are prepared by licensed pharmacy partners in India and shipped to Malaysia in discreet packaging.

When to seek urgent care

Same-day medical attention is needed for confusion, a stiff neck, a sudden severe headache, breathing difficulty, or rapid weight loss that has no clear cause in a person with HIV. Such signs may point to an opportunistic infection that requires urgent treatment.

Further reading

Last updated