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From TheBody.com

January 1, 1992

Ask the Expert Hot Topics
August 26, 2002

Check out these hot topics at The Body's Ask the Expert forums:
Forum on Starting Treatment My doc says I should start treatment with Trizivir if my next viral load count is above 100,000, and Combivir/Sustiva if it isn't. I was diagnosed in January; my VL has fluctuated wildly, while my CD4+ has hovered between 150 and 500. Does this strategy sound good? Treatment Interruptions My CD4+ count is 20. Should I go on a three-month structured treatment interruption so my virus can become more susceptible to meds? My doc's recommended a structured treatment interruption, but my HIV-positive friends are extremely negative about it. How do I deal with them? Forum on Women & HIV If I've never been on anti-HIV meds and become pregnant, do I have to start taking them? Medication Side Effects Should I switch from Viracept to Viramune or Sustiva to ease my lipodystrophy? I'm worried about liver toxicity, other side effects and the risk of developing Viracept resistance. Could my shortness of breath be caused by my Kaletra/Zerit/Viread combo, or is it something else? Forum on Fatigue & Anemia My doc says rest is the best way to treat my HIV-related anemia. Is he right? Making a Difference in HIV/AIDS How can I help in the fight against HIV without getting a medical degree first?		Forum on Cancer & HIV NOTE TO READERS: Our "AIDS-Related Cancers" forum, hosted by the outstanding Dr. Bruce Dezube, is back in action! Feel free to stop in anytime with your carcinoma-related questions. Who should get yearly anal PAP smears, and how do they work? How can I determine if my Kaposi's sarcoma is progressing to my internal organs? What are the mental side effects of chemotherapy? Switching Treatment/Resistance Since starting therapy last year with Combivir/Sustiva, my CD4+ count has risen, but my viral load is hovering around 1,000. I've been 100 percent adherent; should I wait another few months to see if things improve? My latest genotype test showed some resistance to Rescriptor, 3TC and protease inhibitors, but my viral load is undetectable. Is genotype testing reliable? Should I continue with Zerit but add Viread, or hold off on a change entirely? Paying for Medications What's the average cost of anti-HIV drugs, and what hope is there for people who can't afford them? Antiretroviral Basics How do integrase inhibitors work? The Paranoia Patrol Do three low-risk encounters equal one high-risk encounter? A stripper squirted breast milk into my eye; am I at risk?
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