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A Sticky Business:
Adhering to your Meds

Sticking to your meds (otherwise known as medication adherence) is so very important. Experience with anti-HIV meds continues to show that people who have better adherence have less virus in their blood and more disease fighting cells in their bodies. This means living longer and, often, feeling better.

What makes sticking to your meds all the stickier, is that people who have to take medication - any medication - have been found to take it correctly only about half the time. [Taking a medication correctly means taking the correct medication in the prescribed amounts at the times you are supposed to take it.]

Half the time may be good enough for a lot of medications but not for anti-HIV meds. You need a whopping 95% stick-to-it-ness to give these meds a chance to keep the virus under control.

In order to help clients overcome the obstacles to 95% adherence, PCAF has an adherence support person on board. She can help you identify exactly where a problem lies, provide education about the meds and about managing side effects, help you make a medication plan, and hook you up with some support to help you put the plan into action. Studies have shown that HIV+ folks who have access to treatment education live longer, healthier lives. If you think you might benefit from this service, call Linda at 383-2565.