The advanced treatment methods have proved to be quite effective in enhancing the lives of HIV-positive patients and increasing their lifespan. But, still, many people suffer the devastating consequences of HIV due to a lack of HIV testing and treatment accessibility. As per recent data, Oklahoma is among the seven states with the highest prevalence of rural HIV infection. This can be fixed if HIV healthcare is easily accessible. Therefore, at Equality Health, we aim to provide the best HIV treatment. With the help of our expert specialists and modern treatment methods, we can help you achieve a healthier life. So, remember to contact us for HIV tests and treatment in Oklahoma.
Get Comprehensive HIV Treatments in Shawnee, OK
HIV makes people vulnerable to infections by attacking their immune systems. Therefore, the main goal of HIV treatment is immune system preservation through viral suppression (reduced viral load in the blood). If HIV-infected people maintain a significantly lower level of viral load, there is no risk of HIV transmission to HIV-negative people through sexual intercourse. Also, the treatment allows the infected people to live longer and healthier.
We offer the following comprehensive HIV treatments in Shawnee, OK:
1. Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)
Antiretroviral Therapy is the standard treatment method for HIV. Our approach to ART involves the intake of a combination of various drugs for effectiveness. Although ART cannot cure HIV, it can drastically minimize the consequences of HIV by strengthening the immune systems of infected people.
We emphasize ART treatment because it slows down virus replication. The main focus of our ART treatment is to decrease the amount of virus circulating in the body with the use of combined medications. We use various classes of medications, including nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, integrase inhibitors, and so on. Our treatment procedure requires the intake of drugs in a combination of 2 to 3 or more across different drug classes, which effectively lowers the viral load.
2. Combination Therapy
Combination Therapy, also referred to as combination ART, is an essential process for the treatment of HIV. This treatment process targets the virus by utilizing a combination of various medications across different drug classes.
The benefits of our Combination Therapy for HIV treatment are as follows:
- Maintaining viral suppression: Different drugs used in the ART method have diverse strengths and modes of action. These characteristics of the drugs make them effective at lowering the viral load when used in combination. The viral suppression, when maintained throughout the treatment, helps a person lead a healthier life.
- Reducing drug resistance: When you use combination medications, the virus loses its capacity to build resistance against the drugs. Because of this, the virus cannot mutate.
- Reduction in drug side effects: The combination therapy makes it possible for the drugs to function effectively even in lower doses. So, we can gain higher efficiency with the minimum risk of side effects.
Our HIV Treatments in Shawnee, OK Include:
The HIV treatment we provide at our treatment center, involves choosing the right combination of drugs for the individual patients. Our treatment regimen is based on a person’s specific need to fight the virus. Some highlights of the different types of antiretroviral drugs we use in our HIV treatment in Shawnee, OK, are:
1. Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs)
The NRTI class of antiretroviral drugs work by preventing HIV from copying its RNA into DNA. The drugs in this class basically stop the replication of HIV in the blood of an infected person. NRTIs do so by preventing HIV from entering CD4 cells (immune cells that help fight infection) and not allowing the virus to make copies of itself.
2. Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs)
The working mechanism of NNRTIs is somewhat similar to that of NRTIs but differs slightly. NNRTIs also do not allow the virus to replicate its RNA into DNA by acting at a different location on reverse transcriptase.
3. Protease Inhibitors (PIs)
PIs function by blocking the activity of protease (an enzyme released by viral DNA). The drugs in PIs bind with protease and prevent the HIV protein chain from splitting. When the virus is unable to split the protein chain, it becomes incapable of forming new viruses in the bloodstream.
4. Integrase inhibitors (INSTIs)
INSTIs show their effectiveness by preventing the virus from injecting its genetic code into the code of human cells. The INSTIs drugs do so by inhibiting integrase (an enzyme that helps HIV insert its code into CD4 cells).
5. Entry Inhibitors
The drugs in the category of entry inhibitors work by preventing the entry of HIV into human cells. HIV must enter the cells of a human in order to replicate and grow. Unlike other drug types, entry inhibitors are active before the virus infects CD4 cells.
Our specialists use a combination of drugs across the drug classes mentioned above to bring down your viral load effectively. So, get the best HIV treatment that meets your health requirements.
Schedule an appointment with our healthcare professionals today!
When is HIV Treatment Necessary?
HIV treatment is necessary soon after you are diagnosed with HIV infection. Delaying the treatment can depletes your immune system, which increases the risk of complications. So, to prevent any further health risks, it is highly recommended to start treatment immediately. Besides, the treatment needs to be started as soon as possible if you have the following conditions:
- An early stage of HIV: Getting HIV treatment at an early stage of infection can help reduce health hazards. It prevents your immune system from further deteriorating.
- Pregnancy: HIV treatment during pregnancy can prevent the transmission of HIV to the baby. Also, it helps the mother achieve good health.
- Advanced HIV: At this stage, the immunity power of the body heavily decreases with the risk of other severe infections. In such a case, treatment is a must to minimize further complications.
- Other comorbidities: Treatment is crucial for HIV-infected patients who have other health conditions, including diabetes, cancer, hepatitis B or C, and so on. We offer customized treatments to deal with a combination of health conditions.
The main purpose of HIV treatment is to reduce the viral load through ART. Once the viral load comes down to an undetectable level, the immunity system of a person can significantly improve. At the same time, the risk of transmission of the virus through sex is also reduced. So, let us help you in your battle against HIV before it’s too late.
Follow-Up Care and Monitoring HIV Treatment Progress
At our treatment facility, we care deeply about every HIV-infected patient. It is our goal to offer better health care through reliable treatment methods. For effective care, we do regular follow-up and treatment progress monitoring, including processes such as:
1. Regular Monitoring
In our follow-up process, we offer regular monitoring of the progress of HIV treatment. Monitoring progress ensures the long-term effectiveness of the treatment and its sustainability. Our treatment monitoring process includes CD4 cell counts, viral load testing, genotypic resistance testing, and other laboratory markers. Such tests allow us to keep track of your immune system and overall health.
2. Maintaining Viral Suppression
Another main goal of our treatment process is to maintain viral suppression at undetectable levels. This can only be achieved if every milliliter of an infected person’s blood contains less than 200 copies of the virus. Maintaining the viral load at an optimal level minimizes the effects of HIV. It negates the risk of transmission through sex.
3. Assessing Treatment Effectiveness
We offer frequent monitoring, once every 3 to 4 months, to evaluate the effectiveness of the HIV treatment. Assessing the treatment through frequent monitoring helps our healthcare professionals analyze the treatment’s virologic response. Based on the analysis, we determine if the ongoing medications require any changes for greater efficacy.
Cost of HIV Treatment in Shawnee, OK
The cost of HIV treatment depends on various factors, such as the brand of the drug you are using, the availability of the drugs, insurance coverage, and so on. Likewise, the treatment cost can rise if you are being treated for HIV as well as other conditions caused by HIV. At Equality Health, we offer quality treatment at an affordable cost.
Prevention and Care for HIV
We understand the importance of prevention and proper care in fighting against HIV. As a part of our HIV prevention efforts, we utilize advanced tools and techniques to mitigate the harmful effects of the virus. Your health and longevity are our priorities. Therefore, we focus on the following prevention and care for HIV:
1. Undetectable = Untransmittable
“Undetectable = Untransmittable” implies that the undetectable viral load is untransmittable to an HIV-negative partner through sexual intercourse. If a person is under regular treatment, the prescribed HIV medications can drop the virus count in the blood significantly. The virus count reduces to the point where it cannot be detected by testing. Maintaining an undetectable viral load is a reliable preventive measure for stopping its transmission to another person.
2. Regular Testing and Treatment
Proper treatment combined with regular lab monitoring also falls under treatment as prevention. We make sure that the medications we provide are working best through frequent testing and assessment. As a part of our treatment and prevention adherence, we keep your medical appointments in check, along with reminders for medication. Not only that, our healthcare professionals offer open conversations with patients for necessary consultation and support.
Multidisciplinary Care and Specialist Referrals for HIV in Shawnee, OK
We offer a multidisciplinary care approach to HIV treatment, which is known to be beneficial in achieving optimal health. Our multidisciplinary model includes collaboration between primary care providers, specialists, and other healthcare professionals. The model has proven to reduce the barriers to efficient treatment. Not only that, multidisciplinary models also help retain patients, resulting in a higher treatment success rate.
Our efficient HIV care model also includes specialist referrals, depending on the condition of the patient. If your treatment requires more advanced diagnostic approaches and complex management, we make sure you are referred to the best specialist. We have collaborated with a wide range of healthcare services, including specialized clinics, counseling services, and support groups available in Oklahoma. Our referrals offer individual patients maximum care and attention, catering to the patient’s specific needs.
Contact Us for Expert HIV Treatment in Shawnee, OK
You can trust Equality Health in Shawnee, OK, for reliable healthcare for HIV. Our team of expert healthcare professionals is readily available for any kind of support and treatment for HIV, along with other STIs and hepatitis. Through access to efficient and quality healthcare, we aim to eradicate sexually transmitted diseases. For this, we offer HIV testing, treatments, and PrEP for prevention under the same roof. We also provide services for STD Treatment, PrEP for HIV prevention, Hepatitis C testing, Hepatitis C treatment, HIV testing and STD testing in Shawnee. So, for hassle-free and patient-focused HIV treatment, make sure to contact us at (405) 761-2762 right away!
Frequently Asked HIV Treatment Questions (FAQs)
The best treatment method for HIV in recent times has been ART (antiretroviral therapy). It aims to improve the immune system of HIV-positive people by lowering their viral load to an undetectable level. It is a lifelong treatment method that uses a combination of different drugs for medication. The drugs are chosen across different classes of drugs. When the medications are taken as prescribed, the drugs help lower the viral load to an undetectable level, preventing HIV transmission and further damage to the immune system.
Yes, insurance covers your HIV treatment costs, depending on the coverage policy. Equality Health offers additional support for uninsured patients. We have partnered with several insurance companies and may also help pay your premium. For more information related to HIV treatment coverage, call us today!
Yes, all HIV medications are available. We have contracts with several partial pharmacies across the state. We can help you access the FDA-approved medications for your treatment.
HIV treatment is lifelong. So, if you want to keep the viral load suppressed and the immune system protected, contact us for HIV treatment.
The cost range for the treatment of HIV can vary based on multiple factors. Most of the treatment costs are covered by insurance. But if you do not have insurance, we can help you minimize the cost with the support of our collaborative partners.