Question 1

if a hiv married couple are on hiv medications would it better to use a condom for safe sex?

Accepted Answer

Yes but clarify: I am assuming you are referring to one member of the couple having HIV and is on medication.  Condom use is never 100% protective in preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, however, a condom use is better than not using anything.  Another member asked about use of a female and male condom; this would also be beneficial but not 100% protective.

Question 2

how can the current effective hiv medications keep the disease manageable?

Accepted Answer

HIV medications: By suppressing the viral replication the virus cannot infect new cells nor damage a person's immune cells. Treat early and do not let one's immune system break is the standard of care now.

Question 3

what are all the hiv medications? and cost of each?

Accepted Answer

HIV Treatment : Unfortunately there are now 34 different medications and the costs will vary from state to state. This is a site to answer personal health concerns with specific symptoms.  There is a great website on HIV meds called aidsmeds.Com.

Question 4

could hiv medications help infected people live longer?

Accepted Answer

YES!: When antiviral medications are taken in combinations and as prescribed with strict adherence to the regimens, these drugs can allow patients to live for decades with good quality lives.  The drugs must be taken faithfully, and it is best not to have additional exposures to other strains of HIV (safe sex and no needle sharing).

Question 5

are certain hiv medications becoming cheap?

Accepted Answer

Coming soon: In the us, there are some generic HIV drugs available, but generally not the ones we prefer to use.  That will be changing in the next few years. Highly effective drugs like Efavirenz (brand name sustiva) will become available in generic form, which could lower the cost of therapy.

Question 6

how long can people with normal immune system live now with hiv medications?

Accepted Answer

HIV life expectancy: Patients infected with HIV can live to a normal life-expectancy age (70s-80s)  if they continue their HIV meds and regular medical follow-up.

Question 7

what a good cold, flu or allergy medication out there?

Accepted Answer

Many choices: There is no magic pill out there and it all depends on what symptoms your are trying to treat. A decongestant for a cold or flu is available is many different combinations over the counter under different brand names. Look at the ingredients, Pseudoephedrine is a good decongestant avilable in combination with other medications. For allergies, a non drowsy long acting antihistamine is allegra (fexofenadine).

Question 8

which allergy medication works best for a 5 yr old?

Accepted Answer

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) or claritin: Benadryl (diphenhydramine) works well but can be sedating, or paradoxically might cause hyperactivity.  Claritin is a nice alternative, working for 24 hours and usually not sedating.

Question 9

can i take hydrocodone and a non-drowsy allergy medication?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Should be ok at normal doses of hydrocodone (5-15 mg per dose, 3-4 times a day).  At VERY high doses (more than 120 mg per day), there is a slight risk of heart arrhythmia along with things like ephedrine (ephedrine sulfate) or psuedoephedrine (ephedrine sulfate) due to an additive effect.

Question 10

what's a good alternative for bromfed (brompheniramine) allergy medication?

Accepted Answer

Depends: There are different types of bromfed..With or without decongestant..Either way other anithistamines won't make you as drowsy.Try Allegra (fexofenadine)  zyrtec or claritin(with or without sudafed)..There are generics for all of these and they are now over the counter..Just read the labels for any precautions for yourself.

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Doctor answers about:

Hiv medications allergy medication

A member asked:

If a hiv married couple are on hiv medications would it better to use a condom for safe sex?

A member asked:

How can the current effective hiv medications keep the disease manageable?

A member asked:

What are all the hiv medications? and cost of each?

A member asked:

Could hiv medications help infected people live longer?

A member asked:

Are certain hiv medications becoming cheap?

A member asked:

How long can people with normal immune system live now with hiv medications?

A member asked:

What a good cold, flu or allergy medication out there?

A member asked:

Which allergy medication works best for a 5 yr old?

A member asked:

Can i take hydrocodone and a non-drowsy allergy medication?

A member asked:

What's a good alternative for bromfed (brompheniramine) allergy medication?

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