The Role of the Family Doctor in HIV Medicine

ABSTRACT

The outlook of people living with HIV (PLHIV) has changed for the better. With the discovery of effective drugs HIV is more like a chronic disease. The family doctor has several roles in HIV medicine find, test, treat, and retain. Find - at risk individuals, and reduce their HIV risks. Test – to diagnosis those with acute HIV infection, to identify the asymptomatic patients, and to identify those with AIDS defining illnesses. Treat - participate in shared care management with HIV specialists. Retain – retain wellbeing of PLHIV - monitor for complications, provide patient education to help them minimise complications. Routine testing for HIV infection is now the practice. For treatment, A combination ART regimen consisting of two NRTIs + one active drug from one of the classes NNRT, PI, INSTI, or a CCRS antagonist. Retaining the wellbeing of PLHIV requires monitoring for complications, and providing patient education to help them minimise complications.