Can he use herbs and arvs?
SOMETIMES natural remedies such as herbal drugs and food supplements can help people living with HIV (PLHIV) to have their symptoms controlled and they may look clinically alright when their immune systems are actually badly damaged. <br>
Face HIV with Dr. Watiti
Dear doctor,
My brother who tested HIV positive five years ago has been using herbal drugs which had a good effect, but now a doctor has advised him to start taking ARVs because his CD4 count has dropped to 250 cells/ml yet he looks healthy. Can he take both without being affected?
Faith
Dear Faith,
SOMETIMES natural remedies such as herbal drugs and food supplements can help people living with HIV (PLHIV) to have their symptoms controlled and they may look clinically alright when their immune systems are actually badly damaged.
That is why it is important for all PLHIV to be monitored regularly by having their CD4 counts checked to see how their immune systems are doing.
This is known as immunological monitoring as opposed to clinical monitoring which depends on the signs and symptoms a person may have.
Now that your brother has to be put on ARVs, it is wise for him to stop using herbal medicines because they may contain substances which could reduce the effectiveness of ARVs or even harm him.
Dear doctor,
My brother who tested HIV positive five years ago has been using herbal drugs which had a good effect, but now a doctor has advised him to start taking ARVs because his CD4 count has dropped to 250 cells/ml yet he looks healthy. Can he take both without being affected?
Faith
Dear Faith,
SOMETIMES natural remedies such as herbal drugs and food supplements can help people living with HIV (PLHIV) to have their symptoms controlled and they may look clinically alright when their immune systems are actually badly damaged.
That is why it is important for all PLHIV to be monitored regularly by having their CD4 counts checked to see how their immune systems are doing.
This is known as immunological monitoring as opposed to clinical monitoring which depends on the signs and symptoms a person may have.
Now that your brother has to be put on ARVs, it is wise for him to stop using herbal medicines because they may contain substances which could reduce the effectiveness of ARVs or even harm him.