Patients with HIV and acquired immune deficiency syndrome are treated a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) specialist (AIDS). Doctors, nurses, and other health-care professionals can work as HIV specialists, and in some cases, professional certification is available. These credentials can serve as proof of completing a required number of hours as well as a commitment to providing excellent care, and they can help with job applications and patient relations.
Patients who have been diagnosed with HIV can often benefit from specialist care. To stay up to date on the latest developments in the field of HIV/AIDS treatment, HIV specialists attend continuing education classes on a regular basis. Because they specialize in patients with these medical conditions, they have a wealth of knowledge that can be applied to the treatment of HIV and its complications. By consulting with an HIV specialist, a patient may be able to detect complications sooner and receive more aggressive treatment using the most up-to-date drug protocols.
An HIV specialist can take a patient’s history and possibly request some baseline medical testing during an initial client intake meeting. A T cell count is one important test to determine the severity of the patient’s illness. With this information, the HIV specialist can work with the patient to develop a treatment plan and offer advice on sticking to it, especially if the patient is having trouble taking medications, changing his or her lifestyle, or taking other steps to stay as healthy as possible.
Some HIV specialists also connect their clients with social services that are beneficial to them. Patients who cannot afford medication, for example, may be eligible for assistance. For HIV patients who are struggling, housing vouchers, educational programs, and other benefits may be available. The HIV specialist may be concerned about the patient’s quality of life, which can have a direct impact on health, and may work with him or her to address issues such as untreated mental illness or homelessness.
Working with patients directly may make up the majority of a specialist’s practice. Others take part in public outreach and education as well. They provide HIV prevention information and may participate in free clinics and other public resources to educate the public and aid in the early detection of HIV infections. For people who have been exposed to HIV, an HIV specialist can help with prophylactic treatment. The patient is given a series of medications in an attempt to kill the virus before it begins to replicate and cause a full-blown infection.