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AIDS/HIV
Treatment Options
Prevention
Treatment at UPMC
Treatment aims to decrease the amount of virus in the body and keep the immune system as healthy as possible to prevent infections and cancers. Treatment involves:
medications
lifestyle changes
other treatments
People with HIV infection or AIDS are at increased risk of developing certain cancers. Recommended cancer treatments will depend on the type of cancer. Treatments may include:
radiation therapy to treat cancers related to HIV/AIDS
chemotherapy to treat cancers related to HIV/AIDS
In addition, surgical procedures are sometimes combined with medical therapy for the treatment of various opportunistic infections and cancers associated with AIDS.
Prevention
To prevent becoming infected with HIV:
Abstain from sex or use a male latex condom. This includes intercourse and any other sexual acts that result in the exchange of bodily fluids.
Do not share needles for drug injection.
Limit your number of sexual partners.
Avoid sexual partners who are HIV-infected or injection drug users.
Avoid receiving transfusion of unscreened blood products.
If you are a health care worker:
wear latex gloves and facial masks during all procedures
carefully handle and properly dispose of needles
carefully follow universal precautions (a detailed list of how to handle such things as needles and other biohazard materials)
If you live in a household with an HIV-infected person:
wear latex gloves if handling HIV-infected bodily fluids
cover all cuts and sores (yours and the HIV-infected person's) with bandages
do not share any personal hygiene items (razors, toothbrushes, etc.)
carefully handle and properly dispose of needles used for medication
To prevent spreading HIV to others if you are HIV infected:
abstain from sex or use a male latex condom. This includes intercourse and any other sexual acts that result in the exchange of bodily fluids
inform former or potential sexual partners
do not donate blood or organ.
try not to get pregnant
if you have a baby, do not breastfeed
Treatment at UPMC
This condition is typically treated by experts specializing in:
Internal Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Call UPMC at 800-533-UPMC (8762) to find a doctor and schedule an appointment.
Pittsburgh AIDS Center for Treatment
The Pittsburgh AIDS Center for Treatment (PACT) provides comprehensive HIV medical care and social support services by a team of highly qualified, experienced physicians and supportive clinical staff. The program includes a pharmacist, mental health services, nutritional care, gynecological care, fiscal counseling, medication adherence counseling, and social work services. Compassionate use protocols may be available. Ryan White Care Act funds are available for individuals lacking health insurance. A Family Centered Clinic is offered monthly at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. During this clinic, children and their parents can be seen together by pediatric infectious disease physicians and specialists in adult HIV. A nurturing support group is provided to HIV-infected women and their children. PACT is located in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh.
For more information about PACT services, call 412-647-PACT (7228) or toll-free 1-877-788-PACT (7228). To make an appointment with a UPMC physician specializing in AIDS/HIV, call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762).
Ryan White-Funded Services for Women, Children, Youth, and Families
This project focuses on the special needs of infected and affected women, children, youth, and their families through a network of specialty providers: UPMC's HIV Program, Magee-Womens Hospital, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, and the Family Health Council. The project's purposes are:
to reduce transmission from mother to baby by increasing the number of pregnant women who are tested for HIV and are provided early intervention services
to improve early identification and treatment for all HIV-infected women
A women's case manager is available to provide supportive services and a family nurse facilitates continuity of care among the network providers. The Family Health Council provides HIV education and referral for testing in four rural WIC centers.
For more information, call 412-647-0329 or toll-free 1-877-788-PACT (7228).
aids.upmc.com
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