Specialty Care

HIV Treatment and Prevention

The treatment and management of HIV/AIDS have evolved significantly over the years, improving the quality of life and life expectancy for those living with the virus. The goal of HIV treatment today is not only to prevent the progression of the disease but also to maintain a high quality of life for those affected.

The Providers at The Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation have been especially trained through the National Academy of HIV Medicine to Diagnose, Treat and Manage HIV/AIDS.

  • This is the cornerstone of HIV treatment. ART involves taking a combination of HIV medicines daily. It doesn't cure HIV, but it can reduce the viral load to undetectable levels, which keeps the immune system working and prevents the progression to AIDS. An undetectable viral load also means the virus is untransmittable to sexual partners.

  • Patients are regularly monitored for their viral load and CD4 cell count, which helps assess the effectiveness of ART and the health of the immune system.

  • People with HIV are more susceptible to other infections and diseases. Preventive medications and vaccines are often recommended to protect against infections like tuberculosis, hepatitis, and pneumonia.

  • Conditions such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and liver disease are more common in individuals with HIV. Managing these comorbidities is a crucial part of the overall care for HIV-positive individuals.

  • Psychological support, nutritional counseling, and social services are vital to help manage the emotional and practical challenges of living with HIV.

  • Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a preventive strategy for people who do not have HIV but are at high risk of contracting the virus. It involves taking a daily pill that contains two medications used to treat HIV. When taken consistently, PrEP has been shown to reduce the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% and from injection drug use by at least 74%. It is crucial for those on PrEP to adhere to the medication schedule strictly and to undergo regular check-ups, including HIV testing every three months, to ensure the medication’s effectiveness and to monitor for any potential side effects. PrEP is a key part of a comprehensive approach to HIV prevention that also includes regular condom use and other safe practices.

  • PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is an antiretroviral medication (ART) taken after potential exposure to HIV to prevent becoming infected. PEP should be used only in emergency situations and must be started within 72 hours after recent possible exposure to HIV.

Psychiatric Care

Psychiatric treatment encompasses a range of modalities aimed at diagnosing, managing, and treating emotional, behavioral, and mental disorders. Many psychiatric conditions, such as depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, may be treated with medication to help manage symptoms. Our Providers are trained in diagnosing and treating mental health issues  and prescribe medications like antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and anxiolytics based on the individual's needs.

Hep C  

The treatment of Hepatitis C (Hep C) has seen significant advances over the past decade, primarily due to the development of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). The Medical Team at CBWF use the most up to date treatments to address Hep C Infections.

  • These medications target specific steps in the Hepatitis C virus lifecycle to stop the virus from multiplying. DAAs have revolutionized Hep C treatment, offering cure rates over 90% and with much shorter treatment duration, typically 8 to 12 weeks. They also have fewer side effects compared to the older regimens.

  • The choice of DAA regimen depends on various factors, including the genotype of the Hepatitis C virus, prior treatment history, the presence of liver cirrhosis, and other patient-specific factors. Most treatment plans no longer require interferon or ribavirin, drugs that were commonly used in the past and known for their challenging side effects.

  • Regular monitoring during and after treatment is crucial to assess the effectiveness of the therapy and to check for viral clearance. This usually involves blood tests to measure viral load and liver function tests.

  • For patients with advanced liver disease or cirrhosis, management also focuses on complications and screening for liver cancer, which patients with Hep C are at increased risk for.

Efforts have been made to improve access to these life-saving treatments, although high costs and healthcare infrastructure can still limit availability in some regions.

Alongside treatment, efforts in public health involve educating at-risk populations, preventing new infections through safer needle practices, and screening blood donations to prevent transmission.